Neurocognitive Consequences of Chronic CannabisUse : A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Pedro Rafael Figueiredo, Serenella Tolomeo, J. Douglas Steele, Alexander Baldacchino Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2019 Doi : 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.10.014 "Une méta-analyse échoue à mettre en évidence une "toxicité" de l'usage du cannabis à long terme, sur les fonctions neuropsychologiques cognitives" Highlights A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the neuropsychological impact of cannabis. A limited association was found between chronic cannabis use and neurocognitive deficits. Memory and chronic cannabis smoking were linked. ABSTRACT Cannabis is currently the most used illicit substance in the world with a global widespread distribution. Although its acute neurocognitive effects on human behaviour have [...]
Lire la suiteA systematic study of microdosing psychedelics RESEARCH ARTICLE Vince Polito, Richard J. Stevenson PLoS ONE, 2019, 14, (2), e0211023. Doi : 10.1371/journal.pone.0211023 Abstract The phenomenon of ‘microdosing’, that is, regular ingestion of very small quantities of psychedelic substances, has seen a rapid explosion of popularity in recent years. Individuals who microdose report minimal acute effects from these substances yet claim a range of long-term general health and wellbeing benefits. There have been no published empirical studies of microdosing and the current legal and bureaucratic climate makes direct empirical investigation of the effects of psychedelics difficult. In Study One we conducted a systematic, observational investigation of individuals [...]
Lire la suiteAn ontology of psychedelic entity experiences in evolutionary psychology and neurophenomenology Michael James WINKELMAN Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2018. Doi : 10.1556/2054.2018.002 Background and aims : Psychedelic entity experiences are examined from perspectives of evolutionary psychology and neurophenomenology. Their similarities with other entity experiences illustrate the need for a general biological explanation of entity experiences. Mechanisms are proposed to involve innate modules, operators, and intelligences that underlie ordinary cognitive inferences and provide the basis for supernatural thought. Methods : Comparisons of ayahuasca and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) entity experiences with other types of entity experiences show their fundamental similarities to conceptions of spirit guides, mythological beings, divinities, [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelics in History and World Religions, Editorial Michael James Winkelman Journal of Psychedelic Studies, 2019, 3, (2), pp. 41–42 Doi : 10.1556/2054.2019.021 Recent research has given new hope that psychedelics might provide important tools for treating some of our more intractable ailments. Assessment of the therapeutic applications of psychedelics for various conditions (Winkelman & Sessa, 2019) offers tantalizing promises of what may be seen as miracle cures for their immediate results and effectiveness. As new technologies expand our understandings of the effects of these substances, we are entering a new epoch of understanding the systemic effects of psychedelics on the brain. These findings regarding the [...]
Lire la suiteTherapeutic Bases of Psychedelic Medicines : Psycho-integrative Effects Michael J. WINKELMAN chapter 1, in "PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE: SOCIAL, CLINICAL, AND LEGAL PERSPECTIVES" january 2007, pp 1-19. INTRODUCTION For thousands of years, human beings have used medicinal plants to enhance their health and well-being. In cultures around the world, plants commonly referred to as psychedelic, hallucinogens, and entheogens have played central roles in their healing practices. These vision-inducing plants have also played important roles in the religious and spiritual practices of many societies, evoking powerful emotional, cognitive, and therapeutic reactions. These plants that were central to concepts of health, spirituality, and well-being were, however, demonized and rejected [...]
Lire la suiteAntidepressant-like effects of β-caryophyllene on restraint plus stress-induced depression Eun-Sang Hwang, Hyun-Bum Kim, Seok Lee, Min-Jeong Kim, Kwan-Joong Kim, Gaeul Han, Se-Young Han, Eun-A Lee, Jeong-Hee Yoon, Dae-Ok Kim, Sungho Maeng, Ji-Ho Park Behavioural Brain Research, 2020, 380, 112439 doi : 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112439 A B S T R A C T Chronic stress is depressogenic by altering neurotrophic and neuroinflammatory environments of the organism. The endocannabinoid system controls cognitive and emotional responses related with stress through the interaction with endocannabinoid receptors. β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a CB2 agonist that exhibited anti-inflammatory, analgesic effects but minimal psychoactive effects. To test if BCP exhibits antidepressant-like action, animals were chronically restrained with additional [...]
Lire la suiteTherapeutic Effects of Prolonged Cannabidiol Treatment on Psychological Symptoms and Cognitive Function in Regular Cannabis Users : A Pragmatic Open-Label Clinical Trial Nadia Solowij, Samantha J. Broyd, Camilla Beale, Julie-Anne Prick, Lisa-marie Greenwood, Hendrika van Hell, Chao Suo, Peter Galettis, Nagesh Pai, Shanlin Fu, Rodney J. Croft, Jennifer H. Martin, and Murat Yücel Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, 2018, 3, 1,21-35 Doi : 10.1089/can.2017.0043 Abstract Introduction : Chronic cannabis use has been associated with impaired cognition and elevated psychological symptoms, particularly psychotic-like experiences. While D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is thought to be primarily responsible for these deleterious effects, cannabidiol (CBD) is purported to have antipsychotic properties and to [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelics and music : neuroscience and therapeutic implications Frederick S. Barrett, Katrin H. Preller & Mendel Kaelen International Review of Psychiatry, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1484342 ABSTRACT From the beginning of therapeutic research with psychedelics, music listening has been consistently used as a method to guide or support therapeutic experiences during the acute effects of psychedelic drugs. Recent findings point to the potential of music to support meaning-making, emotionality, and mental imagery after the administration of psychedelics, and suggest that music plays an important role in facilitating positive clinical outcomes of psychedelic therapy. This review explores the history of, contemporary research on, and future directions regarding the use [...]
Lire la suiteThe Prosocial Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): Controlled Studies in Humans and Laboratory Animals Philip Kamilar-Britt and Gillinder Bedi Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2015, 57, 433–446. doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.08.016 Abstract Users of ±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ‘ecstasy’) report prosocial effects such as sociability and empathy. Supporting these apparently unique social effects, data from controlled laboratory studies indicate that MDMA alters social feelings, information processing, and behavior in humans, and social behavior in rodents. Here, we review this growing body of evidence. In rodents, MDMA increases passive prosocial behavior (adjacent lying) and social reward while decreasing aggression, effects that may involve serotonin 1A receptor mediated oxytocin release interacting with vasopressin receptor [...]
Lire la suitePsilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences : immediate and persisting dose-related effects Roland R. Griffiths, Matthew W. Johnson, William A. Richards, Brian D. Richards, Una McCann, Robert Jesse Psychopharmacology, 2011 DOI 10.1007/s00213-011-2358-5 Abstract Rationale : This dose-effect study extends previous observations showing that psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having persisting positive effects on attitudes, mood, and behavior. Objectives : This double-blind study evaluated psilocybin (0, 5, 10, 20, 30 mg/70 kg, p.o.) administered under supportive conditions. Methods : Participants were 18 adults (17 hallucinogennaïve). Five 8-h sessions were conducted individually for each participant at 1-month intervals. Participants were randomized to receive the four active doses in either ascending or [...]
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