Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity

Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, Год журнала: 2025, Номер Volume 21, С. 141 - 155

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

The incidence of mental health disorders is increasing worldwide. While there are multiple factors contributing to this problem, neuroinflammation underlies a significant subset psychiatric conditions, particularly major depressive and anxiety disorders. Anti-inflammatory interventions have demonstrated benefit in these conditions. Psilocin, the active ingredient mushrooms Psilocybe genus, both potent serotonin agonist anti-inflammatory agent, increases neuroplasticity, decreases overactivity default mode network. Studies using hallucinogenic doses psilocin under supervision therapist/guide consistently benefits individuals with depression end-of-life anxiety. Microdosing psilocybin sub-hallucinogenic has also mood disorders, may offer safe, less expensive, more available alternative full for as well other medical conditions which inflammation principal pathophysiology.

Язык: Английский

Psilocybin-Assisted suppoRtive psychoTherapy IN the treatment of prolonged Grief (PARTING) trial: protocol for an open-label pilot trial for cancer-related bereavement

BMJ Open, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4), С. e095992 - e095992

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Introduction Prolonged grief disorder (PGD) represents a substantial public health issue, especially in oncology settings where it affects up to 30% of bereaved carers. Current best-practice treatments are lengthy, and 50% participants have persistent PGD. Building on encouraging recent research with psychedelic-assisted therapies, the Psilocybin-Assisted suppoRtive psychoTherapy IN treatment prolonged Grief (PARTING) trial is first study consider psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as potential for grief. Methods analysis PARTING an open-label pilot approximately 15 people cancer-related It aims investigate feasibility, safety, acceptability, participant experience participant-reported therapeutic effects. Over 5-week intervention period, will undergo three preparation sessions before receiving psychoactive (25 mg) dose psilocybin alongside non-directive supportive guidance, followed by four integration sessions. All be delivered psychologist either nurse or Indigenous Therapist. An artificial intelligence-assisted tool used create artwork participants’ psychedelic experience. Outcomes investigated over 12-month follow-up period. Feasibility assessed through recruitment/retention rates completion assessments. Safety evaluated via adverse events 12 months comparison physiological measures (vital signs, biochemistry, haematology, ECG) recorded during screening 1 day after dose. Qualitative thematic semistructured interviews therapists assess acceptability treatment. Diagnostic clinical PGD quantitative effects also being collected. Participant-reported include severity, depression, anxiety, avoidance, psychological flexibility, connectedness, quality life. Ethics dissemination approval has been obtained from QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute Human Committee (P3801). Dissemination results occur conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications media. Trial registration number Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12623000827639).

Язык: Английский

Boosting Psychotherapy With Noninvasive Brain Stimulation: The Whys and Wherefores of Modulating Neural Plasticity to Promote Therapeutic Change

Neural Plasticity, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 2024(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

The phenomenon of neural plasticity pertains to the intrinsic capacity neurons undergo structural and functional reconfiguration through learning experiential interaction with environment. These changes could manifest themselves not only as a consequence various life experiences but also following therapeutic interventions, including application noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) psychotherapy. As standalone therapies, both NIBS psychotherapy have demonstrated their efficacy in amelioration psychiatric disorders’ symptoms, certain variability terms effect sizes duration. Consequently, scholars suggested convenience integrating two interventions into multimodal treatment boost prolong outcomes. Such an approach is still its infancy, physiological underpinnings substantiating effectiveness utility combined are be clarified. Therefore, this opinion paper aims provide theoretical framework consisting compelling arguments why adding can promote change. Namely, we will discuss effects thus providing rationale explain potential advantages approach.

Язык: Английский