Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector

Psychoactives, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 4(2), С. 11 - 11

Опубликована: Апрель 22, 2025

Psychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite history of stigmatization and restriction in use. The present review synthesizes existing literature on the therapeutic potential psychedelics such LSD, psilocybin, MDMA addressing specific conditions like depression, anxiety, addiction. On reviewing literature, it became apparent that when administered controlled settings with psychological support, can induce profound insights, leading to long-lasting positive changes mood, cognition, behaviour. This discusses ethical, social, regulatory challenges linked using within sector across different countries, how these might influence societal beliefs towards their efficacy Further research would be beneficial eliciting deeper understanding use field health, development standardized administration protocols thorough appreciation implications long-term outcomes. revolutionize treatment while underlining urgent need rigorous scientific inquiry this topic ethical considerations surrounding purposes.

Язык: Английский

---

Flicker light stimulation enhances the emotional response to music: a comparison study to the effects of psychedelics

Frontiers in Psychology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15

Опубликована: Фев. 14, 2024

Flicker light stimulation (FLS) is a non-pharmacological method of inducing altered states consciousness (ASCs), producing hallucination-like phenomena as well effects extending beyond the visual modality, including emotional effects. Research into psychological and neural mechanisms FLS still in its infancy, but can be informed by research other methods ASCs. For instance, on classic psychedelics has reported enhancement responses to music. Here, we test what degree might also enhance response music, using study protocol designed resemble previous LSD closely possible, allow for comparison effect sizes across modalities inform future an ASC-induction method. Twenty participants listened emotionally evocative music two conditions - with without their showed significant enhancing music-evoked emotion, especially emotions relating "Joyful Activation"; additionally, found that experienced intensity correlated reports higher levels arousal. These findings motivate further ASCs interactions between emotion.

Язык: Английский

---

Long-term benefits to psychological health and well-being after ceremonial use of Ayahuasca in Middle Eastern and North African immigrants and refugees

Frontiers in Psychiatry, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 15

Опубликована: Апрель 10, 2024

Refugees and immigrants can experience complex stressors from the process of immigration that have lasting severe long-term mental health consequences. Experiences after ayahuasca ingestion are shown to produce positive effects on psychological wellbeing health, including anecdotal reports improved symptoms trauma related disorders. However, data longitudinal impact naturalistic use in Middle Eastern North African (MENA) immigrant refugee populations is limited.

Язык: Английский

---

The induction of dissociative states: A meta-analysis

medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 10, 2024

Abstract Objective Dissociative states, characterised by discontinuities in awareness and perception, occur a diverse array of psychiatric disorders contexts. states have been modeled the laboratory through various induction methods but relatively little is known about efficacy comparability different experimental methods. Methods This meta-analysis quantified dissociative as indexed standardised instrument ( Clinician Administered States Scale ), at baseline varied diagnostic groups response to (psychological techniques pharmacological agents) both clinical non-clinical samples. Primary outcomes were state dissociation effect sizes (Hedges’s g ) (PROSPERO registration CRD42022384886). Results 2,214 papers screened, yielding 150 eligible articles 251 comprising 7,190 individuals. High levels observed multiple relative controls, with largest effects found post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In controlled experiments, induced was most pronounced mirror-gazing, ayahuasca, ketamine, cannabis, MDMA, nitrous oxide relative, comparable or exceeding PTSD. The heterogeneity not reliably associated methodological features original studies. Conclusions Elevated present higher can be experiments using psychological agents. These results demonstrate several for experimentally modelling implications measuring adverse events predicting interventions involving

Язык: Английский

---

Psychedelic renaissance: A renewed focus on the clinical utility of hallucinogens

Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences Reports, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 3(2)

Опубликована: Май 16, 2024

During the 1960s, several studies were conducted to test therapeutic effects of hallucinogenic drugs, also known as psychedelics, on various disorders, such major depressive disorder (MDD). However, non-medical use these substances became rampant due their effects, leading classification narcotics in numerous countries by 1970s. Since 1990s, clinical research has resumed. Recently, powerful and rapid not observed with conventional psychotropic have been discovered, garnering global attention. In addition, recent years led trials being hope using psychedelics drugs. Specifically, is beginning show that cannabidiol, ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin, main ingredient "magic mushrooms," are effective for depression post-traumatic stress disorder. particular, patients postpartum premenstrual dysphoric (PMDD) may benefit. Marijuana derives from cannabis, a plant its origin Central Asia. It used ceremonial medicinal purposes since ancient times, owing euphoric analgesic effects. The primary cannabinoid marijuana Δ-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which cannabidiol (CBD), lacks Nonpsychoactive CBD received approval 2018 2019 United States Europe, respectively, based Studies shown good safety features tolerability without common psychoactive THC, addition demonstrating no signs abuse, dependence, physical or tolerance. Currently reported include antiepileptic intractable epilepsy (such Dravet syndrome); anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiemetic, anxiolytic, antipsychotic effects; efficacy prevention treatment diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, other disorders. Ketamine, synthesized 1962 replacement anesthetic phencyclidine (PCP), called "dissociative anesthetic" because it causes dissociative symptoms, astral withdrawal. PCP ketamine widely abused young people 1960s 1970s regulated drugs abuse. 2000, group at Yale University was first scientifically report immediate sustained antidepressant double-blind, placebo-controlled study. initial study demonstrated only seven subjects. involved 2 days intravenous hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg) saline under randomized, double-blind conditions. results indicated showed significant improvement symptoms 72 h.1 Subsequently, meta-analyses nasal drops optical isomer esketamine, approved treatment-resistant (TRD) Europe. Psilocybin, compound found magic mushrooms, utilized shamanistic ceremonies rituals throughout Asia Latin America centuries. psilocybin potential improve TRD. A Phase II controlled trial compared escitalopram, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, over period 6 weeks moderate severe MDD.2 enrolled total 59 patients, both groups experienced decrease scores 16-item Quick Inventory Depressive Symptomatology–Self-Report Week 6, indicating difference between two groups. worth noting within hours persist months, suggesting faster onset longer duration SSRIs. Similarly, ayahuasca, shamanic discussed this review, exhibits similar paper Ruffell et al. provides an in-depth description physiological content currently should be referenced.3 Hallucinogens traditionally witchcraft religious times. however, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) abuse dependence become social problems. many possession now prohibited law. years, utility hallucinogens renewed attention, "psychedelic renaissance." Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) effect PTSD demonstrates addressing psychiatric particularly anxiety Currently, there reports effectiveness treating mental illnesses. important note law even decades. small-scale experiments yet included guidelines Psychedelics direct side-effects, liver dysfunction, but they increase suggestibility. There sexual assault some cases, problems inappropriate use. avoid over-reporting situations where neutrality guaranteed commercialist perspective, aware dangers involved. To establish illness, necessary conduct neutral, scientific, large-scale basic research. authors declare conflicts interest.

Язык: Английский

---

The unpaved road of ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew, as a treatment for neuropathic pain: A review of mechanistic insights and clinical prospects

Brain Behavior and Immunity Integrative, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 8, С. 100087 - 100087

Опубликована: Сен. 14, 2024

Язык: Английский

---