The neurobiology of psychedelic drugs : implications for the treatment of mood disorders Franz X. Vollenweider and Michael Kometer Perspectives, www.nature.com, 2010, 11, 642-651. Abstract After a pause of nearly 40 years in research into the effects of psychedelic drugs, recent advances in our understanding of the neurobiology of psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin and ketamine have led to renewed interest in the clinical potential of psychedelics in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. Recent behavioural and neuroimaging data show that psychedelics modulate neural circuits that have been implicated in mood and affective disorders, and can reduce the clinical symptoms of [...]
Lire la suiteSerotonin and brain function : a tale of two receptors RL Carhart-Harris and DJ Nutt Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2017, Vol. 31, (9), 1091–1120. Doi : 10.1177/0269881117725915 Abstract Previous attempts to identify a unified theory of brain serotonin function have largely failed to achieve consensus. In this present synthesis, we integrate previous perspectives with new and older data to create a novel bipartite model centred on the view that serotonin neurotransmission enhances two distinct adaptive responses to adversity, mediated in large part by its two most prevalent and researched brain receptors: the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. We propose that passive coping (i.e. tolerating a source of stress) [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic psychiatry’s brave new world. Nutt, D., Erritzoe, D., & Carhart-Harris, R. Cell, 2020, 181, (1), 24-28. Doi : 10.1016/j.cell.2020.03.020 After a legally mandated, decades-long global arrest of research on psychedelic drugs, investiga- tion of psychedelics in the context of psychiatric disorders is yielding exciting results. Outcomes of neuroscience and clinical research into 5-Hydroxytryptamine 2A (5-HT2A) receptor agonists, such as psilocybin, show promise for addressing a range of serious disorders, including depression and addiction. Introduction—Why the Psychedelic Revolution in Psychiatry? Research leading to the discovery of new pharmacological treatments for psychiat- ric disorders has been painfully slow. With a few exceptions, including the use of orexin [...]
Lire la suiteBridging the Gap ? Altered Thalamocortical Connectivity in Psychotic and Psychedelic States Mihai Avram, Helena Rogg, Alexandra Korda, Christina Andreou, Felix Müller and Stefan Borgwardt Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2021, Volume 12, Article 706017, 1-13. Doi : 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.706017 Psychiatry has a well-established tradition of comparing drug-induced experiences to psychotic symptoms, based on shared phenomena such as altered perceptions. The present review focuses on experiences induced by classic psychedelics, which are substances capable of eliciting powerful psychoactive effects, characterized by distortions/alterations of several neurocognitive processes (e.g., hallucinations). Herein we refer to such experiences as psychedelic states. Psychosis is a clinical syndrome defined by impaired reality testing, [...]
Lire la suiteFuture Directions for Clinical Psychedelic Research : The Relaxed Symptom Network Evan Lewis-Healey, Ruben Laukkonen , Michiel van Elk Pre-Print, May 2021 Doi : 10.31234/osf.io/q3ymd Abstract Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that psilocybin may have strong antidepressant effects, and may be effective in the treatment of depressive disorders when embedded in a psychotherapeutic protocol (psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy; PAP). There are now dozens of registered and ongoing clinical trials that intend to test for the efficacy of psilocybin within a psychotherapeutic protocol. Despite promising results, the mechanism(s) that may be responsible for the antidepressant effects of PAP are still hotly contested. In this paper, we provide a [...]
Lire la suiteParticipant Reports of Mindfulness, Posttraumatic Growth, and Social Connectedness in Psilocybin-Assisted Group Therapy : An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Eve Ekman, Brian Anderson, Maxx Malloy, Alexandra Haas, and Josh Woolley Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 2021, 1–28 Doi : 10.1177/002216878211022949 Abstract The primary objective of this qualitative study was to explore the therapeutic trajectories of individuals undergoing psilocybin-assisted group therapy. This interpretive phenomenological analysis focused on an enriched study sample of gay-identified cisgender men (n = 9) with human immunodeficiency virus diagnosed before 1996 and clinically significant trauma symptoms. Microphenomenological interviews were carried out 1 day after participants’ individual psilocybin sessions to elicit fine-grained descriptions of the [...]
Lire la suiteDoes Psychedelic Therapy Have a Transdiagnostic Action and Prophylactic Potential ? Rita Kocárová, Jirí Horácek and Robin Carhart-Harris Frontiers in Psychiatry, July 2021, Volume 12, Article 661233, 1-18. doi : 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.661233 Addressing global mental health is a major 21st-century challenge. Current treatments have recognized limitations; in this context, new ones that are prophylactic and effective across diagnostic boundaries would represent a major advance. The view that there exists a core of transdiagnostic overlap between psychiatric disorders has re-emerged in recent years, and evidence that psychedelic therapy holds promise for a range of psychiatric disorders supports the position that it may be transdiagnostically effective. Here, [...]
Lire la suitePsychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy Kate Corrigan · Maeve Haran · Conor McCandliss · Roisin McManus · Shannon Cleary · Rebecca Trant · Yazeed Kelly · Kathryn Ledden · Gavin Rush · Veronica O’Keane · John R. Kelly Irish Journal of Medical Science (1971 -), 2021, 1-13. Doi : 10.1007/s11845-021-02668-2 Abstract Introduction : Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic, very little is known about mental health service user attitudes. Objectives : To explore mental health service user attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy. Methods : A questionnaire capturing demographics, diagnoses, previous [...]
Lire la suiteRediscovering Psilocybin as an Antidepressive Treatment Strategy Rene Zeiss, Maximilian Gahr and Heiko Graf Pharmaceuticals, 2021, 14, 985, 1-14. doi : 10.3390/ph14100985 Abstract : There has recently been a renewal of interest in psychedelic research on the use of psilocybin in psychiatric treatment and, in particular, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). Several state-of-the-art studies have provided new insight into the mechanisms of action of psilocybin and its therapeutic potential. Nevertheless, many questions remain unanswered. With this review, we provide an overview of the current state of research on the potential mechanisms of psilocybin, its antidepressant potential, and the associated risks [...]
Lire la suite”State of the art on psychedelic research" Iker Puente, PhD Integral European Conference (IEC) Siófok, Hungary, 27 May 2018 Psychedelic psychotherapy and research: history 1st Phase: 1947-1970. First studies and beginning of research. 2nd Phase: 1971-1989. Prohibition of studies and other uses. 3nd Phase: 1990-2005. Beginning of new studies and research. 4rd Phase: 2006-2016. Positive outcomes, change of social perception, blossoming of research, publications and positive media coverage. Today: many studies in some of the most prestigious universities of the world: Johns Hopkins, Harvard, NYU, UCLA, Imperial College London… using MDMA, psilocybin, ketamine, LSD… (...)
Lire la suite