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Chen MH, Su TP, Hsu JW, Tsai SJ. Autism, youth suicide, and psychedelics: A review of the 21st century evidence. J Chin Med Assoc 2024; 87:904-911. [PMID: 39453318 DOI: 10.1097/jcma.0000000000001150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The concurrent rise in the prevalence of autism and youth suicide has drawn public health and professional attention. The renaissance of psychedelics in psychiatry occurred in the early 21st century and may suggest a hope for the therapeutic effect of psychedelics in autism and suicide. The psychedelics' molecular entities are the compounds that modulate the serotoninergic and glutamatergic systems, which play a crucial role in the pathomechanisms underlying autism and suicide. This systematic review comprehensively discussed the prevalence trends of autism and youth suicide globally and in Taiwan and discussed an association between autism and suicidality based on the 21st century clinical and preclinical literature. Furthermore, this review proposed a possible neurobiological connection between autism, suicide, and psychedelics. Finally, this review discussed the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics in autism and youth suicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mu-Hong Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Tung-Ping Su
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Department of Psychiatry, General Cheng Hsin Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Ju-Wei Hsu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Shih-Jen Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Psychiatry, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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Nadeem Z, Parker S, McGovern H, Oestreich LKL. Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy among potential mental health service users and the general population in Australia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:904-913. [PMID: 38907608 PMCID: PMC11420588 DOI: 10.1177/00048674241261779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Despite rapid advances in psychedelic sciences and the increasing number of countries legalizing psychedelics for the treatment of mental illnesses, the attitudes, knowledge and readiness of both mental health consumers and the general population remain largely unknown. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted among Australians, targeting individuals with mental illness as potential mental health service users. A sub-sample of individuals free of mental illness was also surveyed to assess attitudes in the general population. Participants completed the Attitudes on Psychedelics Questionnaire, the Basic Knowledge of Psychedelics Test and a questionnaire by Corrigan et al. to capture attitudes toward psychedelic therapy by mental health service users. RESULTS Of the 502 respondents, 64.5% self-identified as having a mental illness. A significant proportion favored legalizing psychedelics for medical use (43%) and were open to their use (52.4%), yet fewer viewed their effects positively (24%) or considered them safe (33%). Most participants reported to be psychedelic naive (61%). Participants with mental illness had significantly more experience with psychedelics than participant free of mental illness (44.1% vs 29.7%). Experience, perceived knowledge and actual knowledge significantly predicted attitudes toward legalization, effects, risks and openness to psychedelics. CONCLUSIONS While a large proportion of Australians are in favor of legalizing psychedelics for medical purposes, concerns about safety remain. People with self-identified mental illness, those with previous recreational psychedelic experience and those with greater knowledge of psychedelics were more likely to have positive attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohaib Nadeem
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Stephen Parker
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Metro North Mental Health, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Herston, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Hugh McGovern
- The Cairnmillar Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Lena KL Oestreich
- School of Psychology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging (CAI) and Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- National Imaging Facility, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Hatfield SP, Thornton NLR, Greenstien K, Glozier N. A taxonomy of regulatory and policy matters relevant to psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:571-590. [PMID: 38628079 PMCID: PMC11193325 DOI: 10.1177/00048674241240597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The Australian government recently rescheduled psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine for limited clinical uses. This change has raised various regulatory concerns and challenges for the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. To provide clarity, we aimed to comprehensively catalogue the matters relating to psychedelic-assisted therapy that are or could be regulated. METHODS We conducted a desktop review of the literature and current regulatory sources, semi-structured interviews with professionals who had expertise in fields relating to psychedelic-assisted therapy and a framework analysis to generate a taxonomy of relevant regulatory matters. In relation to each matter, we further identified what type of regulation (if any) currently applies to that matter, any uncertainty as to how the matter should be addressed in clinical practice in the context of current regulation and whether there are conflicting views as to how the matter could or should be further regulated. RESULTS The taxonomy is structured into six main regulatory domains, three of which have a substantial proportion of matters with uncertainty or conflicting views: Service Establishment, Practitioner, and Treatment Delivery. Key examples of such matters include the location of services and facilities required, which professionals are eligible to become psychedelic therapists, and with what qualifications and experience. Matters in the remaining three domains, Patient Evaluation, Drug Supply and Service Oversight, appear by comparison relatively settled, with regulation either well-established or thought unnecessary. CONCLUSIONS The taxonomy provides a roadmap for health services establishing and implementing a psychedelic-assisted therapy program, or for government and other policymakers when determining areas that may require further regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel P Hatfield
- Psychological Medicine, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicollette LR Thornton
- Psychological Medicine, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kayla Greenstien
- Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nick Glozier
- Psychological Medicine, Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Australian Research Council’s Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Allen J, Dames SS, Foldi CJ, Shultz SR. Psychedelics for acquired brain injury: a review of molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:671-685. [PMID: 38177350 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02360-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Acquired brain injury (ABI), such as traumatic brain injury and stroke, is a leading cause of disability worldwide, resulting in debilitating acute and chronic symptoms, as well as an increased risk of developing neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. These symptoms can stem from various neurophysiological insults, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, imbalances in neurotransmission, and impaired neuroplasticity. Despite advancements in medical technology and treatment interventions, managing ABI remains a significant challenge. Emerging evidence suggests that psychedelics may rapidly improve neurobehavioral outcomes in patients with various disorders that share physiological similarities with ABI. However, research specifically focussed on psychedelics for ABI is limited. This narrative literature review explores the neurochemical properties of psychedelics as a therapeutic intervention for ABI, with a focus on serotonin receptors, sigma-1 receptors, and neurotrophic signalling associated with neuroprotection, neuroplasticity, and neuroinflammation. The promotion of neuronal growth, cell survival, and anti-inflammatory properties exhibited by psychedelics strongly supports their potential benefit in managing ABI. Further research and translational efforts are required to elucidate their therapeutic mechanisms of action and to evaluate their effectiveness in treating the acute and chronic phases of ABI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Shannon S Dames
- Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Post-Graduate Program, Health Sciences and Human Services, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada
| | - Claire J Foldi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sandy R Shultz
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
- Centre for Trauma and Mental Health Research, Health Sciences and Human Services, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC, Canada.
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Mellsop G, Ellis P. Re The prescription of psychedelic therapies in Australia and New Zealand: A brief survey of psychiatrists. Australas Psychiatry 2023; 31:706. [PMID: 37395611 DOI: 10.1177/10398562231186118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
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