Spectral signatures of serotonergic psychedelics and glutamatergic dissociatives Carla Pallavicini, Martina G. Vilas, Mirta Villarreal, Federico Zamberlan, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, David Nutt, Robin Carhart-Harris, Enzo Tagliazucchi NeuroImage, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.06.053 Abstract Classic serotonergic psychedelics are remarkable for their capacity to induce reversible alterations in consciousness of the self and the surroundings, mediated by agonism at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. The subjective effects elicited by dissociative drugs acting as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists (e.g. ketamine and phencyclidine) overlap in certain domains with those of serotonergic psychedelics, suggesting some potential similarities in the brain activity patterns induced by both classes of drugs, despite different pharmacological mechanisms of action. We investigated source-localized [...]
Lire la suiteComparison of the behavioral effects of mescaline analogs using the head twitch response in mice Adam L. Halberstadt, Muhammad Chatha, Stephen J. Chapman and Simon D. Brandt Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2019, 1 –9 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119826610 journals.sagepub.com/home/jop Abstract Background : In recent years, there has been increasing scientific interest in the effects and pharmacology of serotonergic hallucinogens. While a large amount of experimental work has been conducted to characterize the behavioral response to hallucinogens in rodents, there has been little systematic investigation of mescaline and its analogs. The hallucinogenic potency of mescaline is increased by α-methylation and by homologation of the 4-methoxy group but it not clear [...]
Lire la suitePilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Matthew W Johnson, Albert Garcia-Romeu, Mary P Cosimano and Roland R Griffiths Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2014, Vol. 28(11) 983–992 © The Author(s) 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0269881114548296 Abstract Despite suggestive early findings on the therapeutic use of hallucinogens in the treatment of substance use disorders, rigorous follow-up has not been conducted. To determine the safety and feasibility of psilocybin as an adjunct to tobacco smoking cessation treatment we conducted an openlabel pilot study administering moderate (20 mg/70 kg) and high (30 mg/70 kg) doses of psilocybin within a structured 15-week smoking cessation treatment [...]
Lire la suiteSerotonergic psychedelics and personality: a systematic review of contemporary research José Carlos Bouso, Rafael G. dos Santos, Miguel Ángel Alcázar-Córcoles, Jaime E. C. Hallak Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2018 PII: S0149-7634(17)30301-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2018.02.004 Highlights Serotonergic psychedelics act as agonists at cortical 5-HT2A receptors 5-HT2A receptors are expressed in fronto-temporo-parieto-occipital areas Some personality traits seem to be related to 5-HT2A receptor expression Acute and long-term use of psychedelics is associated with personality changes Personality changes induced by psychedelics may have therapeutic effects Abstract Serotonergic psychedelics act as agonists at cortical 5-HT2A receptors and seem to induce personality changes. We conducted a systematic review of studies assessing the effects [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Astral X Neural Plasticity, Alexandra C. Greb, Lindsay P. Cameron, Jonathan M. Wong, Eden V. Barragan, Paige C. Wilson, Kyle F. Burbach, Sina Soltanzadeh Zarandi, Alexander Sood, Michael R. Padd, Whitney C. Duim, Megan Y. Dennis, A. Kimberley McAllister, Kassandra M. Ori-McKenney, John A. Gray and David E. Olson Experiment Findings, February 2018 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/331396378 SUMMARY Atrophy of neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a key role in the pathophysiology of depression and related disorders. The ability to promote both structural and functional plasticity in the PFC has been hypothesized to underlie the fast-acting antidepressant properties of the [...]
Lire la suiteCessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Albert Garcia-Romeu, Alan K Davis, Fire Erowid, Earth Erowid, Roland R Griffiths and Matthew W Johnson Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2019, 1–14 DOI: 10.1177/0269881119845793 journals.sagepub.com/home/jop Abstract Background : Meta-analysis of randomized studies using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) showed large, significant effects for LSD efficacy compared to control conditions. Clinical studies suggest potential anti-addiction effects of LSD and mechanistically-related classic psychedelics for alcohol and other substance use disorders. Aims : To supplement clinical studies, reports of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings can provide further data regarding potential effects of psychedelics on alcohol use. Methods [...]
Lire la suiteCurrent perspectives on psychedelic therapy : use of serotonergic hallucinogens in clinical interventions Albert Garcia-Romeu and William A. Richards Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2018.1486289 ABSTRACT Humans have used serotonergic hallucinogens (i.e. psychedelics) for spiritual, ceremonial, and recreational purposes for thousands of years, but their administration as part of a structured therapeutic intervention is still a relatively novel practice within Western medical and psychological frameworks. In the mid-20th century, considerable advances were made in developing therapeutic approaches integrating administration of low (psycholytic) and high (psychedelic) doses of serotonergic hallucinogens for treatment [...]
Lire la suiteMDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of PTSD: study design and rationale for phase 3 trials based on pooled analysis of six phase 2 randomized controlled trials Michael C. Mithoefer, Allison A. Feduccia, Lisa Jerome, Anne Mithoefer, Mark Wagner, Zach Walsh, Scott Hamilton, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Amy Emerson, Rick Doblin Psychopharmacology, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05249-5 Abstract Background : Posttraumatic stress disorder is a prevalent mental health condition with substantial impact on daily functioning that lacks sufficient treatment options. Here we evaluate six phase 2 trials in a pooled analysis to determine the study design for phase 3 trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Methods : Six randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trials [...]
Lire la suite3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine assisted psychotherapy for treatment of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder : A randomized phase 2 controlled trial Marcela Ot’alora G, Jim Grigsby, Bruce Poulter1, Joseph W Van Derveer III, Sara Gael Giron, Lisa Jerome, Allison A Feduccia, Scott Hamilton, Berra Yazar-Klosinski, Amy Emerson, Michael C Mithoefer and Rick Doblin Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2018, 1-13 Doi : 10.1177/0269881118806297 Abstract Background : Posttraumatic stress disorder often does not resolve after conventional psychotherapies or pharmacotherapies. Pilot studies have reported that 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) combined with psychotherapy reduces posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. Aims : This pilot dose response trial assessed efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy across multiple therapy teams. Methods : [...]
Lire la suiteQuality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Leor Roseman, David J. Nutt, Robin L. Carhart-Harris Psychedelic Research Group, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2018, 8, article 974. Doi : 10.3389/fphar.2017.00974 . Introduction : It is a basic principle of the “psychedelic” treatment model that the quality of the acute experience mediates long-term improvements in mental health. In the present paper we sought to test this using data from a clinical trial assessing psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In line with previous reports, we hypothesized that the occurrence and magnitude of Oceanic Boundlessness (OBN) [...]
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