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Le GH, Wong S, Badulescu S, Au H, Di Vincenzo JD, Gill H, Phan L, Rhee TG, Ho R, Teopiz KM, Kwan ATH, Rosenblat JD, Mansur RB, McIntyre RS. Spectral signatures of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and ketamine in healthy volunteers and persons with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression: A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2024; 355:342-354. [PMID: 38570038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.03.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electrophysiologic measures provide an opportunity to inform mechanistic models and possibly biomarker prediction of response. Serotonergic psychedelics (SPs) (i.e., psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)) and ketamine represent new investigational and established treatments in mood disorders respectively. There is a need to better characterize the mechanism of action of these agents. METHODS We conducted a systematic review investigating the spectral signatures of psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine in persons with major depressive disorder (MDD), treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and healthy controls. RESULTS Ketamine and SPs are associated with increased theta power in persons with depression. Ketamine and SPs are also associated with decreased spectral power in the alpha, beta and delta bands in healthy controls and persons with depression. When administered with SPs, theta power was increased in persons with MDD when administered with SPs. Ketamine is associated with increased gamma band power in both healthy controls and persons with MDD. LIMITATIONS The studies included in our review were heterogeneous in their patient population, exposure, dosing of treatment and devices used to evaluate EEG and MEG signatures. Our results were extracted entirely from persons who were either healthy volunteers or persons with MDD or TRD. CONCLUSIONS Extant literature evaluating EEG and MEG spectral signatures indicate that ketamine and SPs have reproducible effects in keeping with disease models of network connectivity. Future research vistas should evaluate whether observed spectral signatures can guide further discovery of therapeutics within the psychedelic and dissociative classes of agents, and its prediction capability in persons treated for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gia Han Le
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Sabrina Wong
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Sebastian Badulescu
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Hezekiah Au
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Joshua D Di Vincenzo
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Hartej Gill
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Lee Phan
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Taeho Greg Rhee
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Roger Ho
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Institute for Health Innovation and Technology (iHealthtech), National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| | - Kayla M Teopiz
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Angela T H Kwan
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Rodrigo B Mansur
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Mood Disorder and Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada; Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Canada; Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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Romeo B, Kervadec E, Fauvel B, Strika-Bruneau L, Amirouche A, Verroust V, Piolino P, Benyamina A. Safety and risk assessment of psychedelic psychotherapy: A meta-analysis and systematic review. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115880. [PMID: 38579460 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Psychotherapies assisted by psychedelic substances have shown promising results in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate safety data in human subjects. We carried out a search on MEDLINE, Embase and PsycINFO databases between 2000 and 2022. Standardized mean differences between different dose ranges and between acute and subacute phases were calculated for cardiovascular data after psychedelic administration. Risk differences were calculated for serious adverse events and common side effects. Thirty studies were included in this meta-analysis. There were only nine serious adverse events for over 1000 administrations of psychedelic substances (one during the acute phase and 8 during the post-acute phase). There were no suicide attempts during the acute phase and 3 participants engaged in self-harm during the post-acute phase. There was an increased risk for elevated heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure for all dose range categories, as well as an increased risk of nausea during the acute phase. Other common side effects included headaches, anxiety, and decreased concentration or appetite. This meta-analysis demonstrates that psychedelics are well-tolerated, with a low risk of emerging serious adverse events in a controlled setting with appropriate inclusion criteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Romeo
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France.
| | - E Kervadec
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
| | - B Fauvel
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau et Cognition (UR 7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - L Strika-Bruneau
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
| | - A Amirouche
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
| | - V Verroust
- Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France; Université Picardie-Jules Verne, France
| | - P Piolino
- Laboratoire Mémoire, Cerveau et Cognition (UR 7536), Institut de Psychologie, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - A Benyamina
- APHP, Paul Brousse Hospital, Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, F-94800, Villejuif, France; Unité de Recherche Psychiatrie-Comorbidités-Addictions - Psycomadd - Paris Saclay University Île-de-France, France
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Yao Y, Guo D, Lu TS, Liu FL, Huang SH, Diao MQ, Li SX, Zhang XJ, Kosten TR, Shi J, Bao YP, Lu L, Han Y. Efficacy and safety of psychedelics for the treatment of mental disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2024; 335:115886. [PMID: 38574699 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2024.115886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Abstract
We aim to systematically review and meta-analyze the effectiveness and safety of psychedelics [psilocybin, ayahuasca (active component DMT), LSD and MDMA] in treating symptoms of various mental disorders. Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and PubMed were searched up to February 2024 and 126 articles were finally included. Results showed that psilocybin has the largest number of articles on treating mood disorders (N = 28), followed by ayahuasca (N = 7) and LSD (N = 6). Overall, psychedelics have therapeutic effects on mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Specifically, psilocybin (Hedges' g = -1.49, 95% CI [-1.67, -1.30]) showed the strongest therapeutic effect among four psychedelics, followed by ayahuasca (Hedges' g = -1.34, 95% CI [-1.86, -0.82]), MDMA (Hedges' g = -0.83, 95% CI [-1.33, -0.32]), and LSD (Hedges' g = -0.65, 95% CI [-1.03, -0.27]). A small amount of evidence also supports psychedelics improving tobacco addiction, eating disorders, sleep disorders, borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and body dysmorphic disorder. The most common adverse event with psychedelics was headache. Nearly a third of the articles reported that no participants reported lasting adverse effects. Our analyses suggest that psychedelics reduce negative mood, and have potential efficacy in other mental disorders, such as substance-use disorders and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Dan Guo
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Tang-Sheng Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Fang-Lin Liu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Shi-Hao Huang
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Meng-Qi Diao
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Su-Xia Li
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Xiu-Jun Zhang
- School of Psychology, College of Public Health, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan 063210, Hebei Province, China
| | - Thomas R Kosten
- Department of Psychiatry, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jie Shi
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yan-Ping Bao
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Lin Lu
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China; Peking University Sixth Hospital, Peking University Institute of Mental Health, NHC Key Laboratory of Mental Health (Peking University), National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders (Peking University Sixth Hospital), Beijing 100191, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences and PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Research Unit of Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood Cognitive Disorder, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.2018RU006).
| | - Ying Han
- National Institute on Drug Dependence and Beijing Key Laboratory of Drug Dependence Research, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
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4
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Garel N, Tate S, Nash K, Lembke A. Trends in hallucinogen-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in California, USA, from 2016 to 2022. Addiction 2024; 119:960-964. [PMID: 38213013 DOI: 10.1111/add.16432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hallucinogens encompass a diverse range of compounds of increasing scientific and public interest. Risks associated with hallucinogen use are under-researched and poorly understood. We aimed to compare the trends in hallucinogen-associated health-care use with alcohol- and cannabis-associated health-care use. DESIGN, SETTING AND CASES We conducted an ecological study with publicly available data on International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) diagnosis codes associated with emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations from the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI). HCAI includes primary and secondary ICD-10 codes reported with ED or hospital discharge from every non-federal health-care facility licensed in California, United States, from 2016 to 2022. MEASUREMENTS ICD-10 codes were classified as hallucinogen-, cannabis- or alcohol-associated if they were from the corresponding category in the ICD-10 block 'mental and behavioral disorders due to psychoactive substance use'. FINDINGS Observed hallucinogen-associated ED visits increased by 54% between 2016 and 2022, from 2260 visits to 3476 visits, compared with a 20% decrease in alcohol-associated ED visits and a 15% increase in cannabis-associated ED visits. The observed hallucinogen-associated hospitalizations increased by 55% during the same period, from 2556 to 3965 hospitalizations, compared with a 1% increase in alcohol-associated hospitalizations and a 1% increase in cannabis-associated hospitalizations. This rise in hallucinogenic ED visits was significantly different from the trend in cannabis-associated (P < 0.001) and alcohol-associated (P = 0.005) ED visits. The hallucinogen-associated hospitalizations trend also significantly differed when compared with cannabis- (P < 0.001) and alcohol-associated (P < 0.001) hospitalizations. CONCLUSIONS Hallucinogen-associated emergency department visits and hospitalizations in California, USA, showed a large relative but small absolute increase between 2016 and 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Garel
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Steven Tate
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kristin Nash
- William G. Nash Foundation, San Anselmo, CA, USA
| | - Anna Lembke
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
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5
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Honk L, Stenfors CUD, Goldberg SB, Hendricks PS, Osika W, Dourron HM, Lebedev A, Petrovic P, Simonsson O. Longitudinal associations between psychedelic use and psychotic symptoms in the United States and the United Kingdom. J Affect Disord 2024; 351:194-201. [PMID: 38280572 PMCID: PMC10922895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/21/2024] [Indexed: 01/29/2024]
Abstract
It has long been speculated that psychedelic use could provoke the onset of psychosis, but there is little evidence to support this conjecture. Using a longitudinal research design with samples representative of the US and UK adult populations with regard to sex, age, and ethnicity (n = 9732), we investigated associations between psychedelic use and change in the number of psychotic symptoms during the two-month study period. In covariate-adjusted regression models, psychedelic use during the study period was not associated with a change in the number of psychotic symptoms unless it interacted with a personal or family history of bipolar disorder, in which case the number of symptoms increased, or with a personal (but not family) history of psychotic disorders, in which case the number of symptoms decreased. Taken together, these findings indicate that psychedelic use may affect psychotic symptoms in individuals with a personal or family history of certain disorders characterized by psychotic symptomatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludwig Honk
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | | | - Simon B Goldberg
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Peter S Hendricks
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Walter Osika
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Haley Maria Dourron
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Alexander Lebedev
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Predrag Petrovic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Otto Simonsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Anderer S. Cannabis Use Linked to Elevated Myocardial Infarction and Stroke Risk. JAMA 2024; 331:1172. [PMID: 38488806 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2024.2075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
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López E, Yngwe H, Beckman M, Tiger M, Hieronymus F, Lundberg J. [Psychedelic psychiatry]. Lakartidningen 2024; 121:23195. [PMID: 38572715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
In the last 20 years there has been an increased interest in research on psychedelic compounds for treatment of psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. Despite existing treatments being efficacious for many patients, this is not the case for up to a third of the patients with depression. Additionally, treatments are often long and associated with side effects. This review focuses on the psychedelic compound psilocybin, a serotonin-2A-receptor agonist that has been seen to reduce depression and anxiety in patients after administration of only a single dose, with effects lasting several weeks. Recent findings from phase II studies suggest that psilocybin treatment for depression is safe and efficacious. A phase III study is currently recruiting. Whether psychedelics will become a part of standard healthcare remains to be seen, but findings do give rise to cautious optimism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evana López
- forskningsassistent, läkare, Akademiska sjukhuset; institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska institutet, Stockholm
| | - Hampus Yngwe
- doktorand, specialistläkare, Norra Stockholms psykiatri; institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska institutet, Stockholm
| | - Maria Beckman
- med dr, leg psykolog, leg psykoterapeut, specialist i klinisk psykologi, institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska institutet, Stockholm
| | - Mikael Tiger
- docent, överläkare, Norra Stockholms psykiatri; institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska institutet, Stockholm; medicinsk redaktör, Läkartidningen
| | - Fredrik Hieronymus
- docent, institutionen för neurovetenskap och fysiologi, Göteborgs universitet
| | - Johan Lundberg
- adjungerad professor, överläkare, Norra Stockholms psykiatri; institutionen för klinisk neurovetenskap, Karolinska institutet, Stockholm
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Avram M, Herwig U, Borgwardt S, Majić T. [Towards a Better understanding of Persisting Perceptual Disturbances following the use of Classic Psychedelics.]. Fortschr Neurol Psychiatr 2024; 92:118-120. [PMID: 38636490 DOI: 10.1055/a-2264-6472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Klassische Psychedelika wie Psilocybin, Lysergsäurediethylamid (LSD), Ayahuasca oder
5-Methoxy-Dimethyltryptamin (5-MeO-DMT) stehen wieder vermehrt im Fokus des
psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutischen und neurowissenschaftlichen Interesses. Dies ist
vor allem auf aktuelle klinische Studien zurückzuführen, die einen möglichen
therapeutischen Nutzen von Psychedelika in der Behandlung verschiedener psychischer
Störungen nahelegen, wie bei therapieresistenten Depressionen,
Abhängigkeitserkrankungen, Angststörungen und existentiellen Ängsten bei
lebensbedrohlichen körperlichen Erkrankungen 1
2
3
4. Trotz der beobachteten
vielversprechenden Effekte ist es wichtig zu betonen, dass Psychedelika auch
potenzielle Risiken bergen, die sie von vielen anderen psychoaktiven Substanzen
unterscheiden. Diese liegen in der besonderen Phänomenologie der Wirkungen dieser
Substanzen auf das zentrale Nervensystem und die menschliche Psyche begründet, in
der zeitlichen Dynamik ihrer psychologischen Effekte, und in ihrem biologischen
Wirkprofil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mihai Avram
- Translational Psychiatry, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck
| | - Uwe Herwig
- Zentrum für Psychiatrie Reichenau, Akademisches Lehrkrankenhaus Universität Konstanz, Reichenau
| | - Stefan Borgwardt
- Translational Psychiatry, Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck
| | - Tomislav Majić
- Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig Krankenhaus, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin
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Song-Smith C, Jacobs E, Rucker J, Saint M, Cooke J, Schlosser M. UK medical students' self-reported knowledge and harm assessment of psychedelics and their application in clinical research: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e083595. [PMID: 38485474 PMCID: PMC10941112 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To capture UK medical students' self-reported knowledge and harm assessment of psychedelics and to explore the factors associated with support for changing the legal status of psychedelics to facilitate further clinical research. DESIGN Cross-sectional, anonymous online survey of UK medical students using a non-random sampling method. SETTING UK medical schools recognised by the General Medical Council. PARTICIPANTS 132 medical students who had spent an average of 3.8 years (SD=1.4; range: 1-6) in medical school. RESULTS Most students (83%) reported that they were aware of psychedelic research and only four participants (3%) said that they were not interested in learning more about this type of research. Although medical students' harm assessment of psychedelics closely aligned with that of experts, only 17% of students felt well-educated on psychedelic research. Teachings on psychedelics were only rarely encountered in their curriculum (psilocybin: 14.1 (SD=19.9), scale: 0 (never) to 100 (very often)). Time spent at medical schools was not associated with more knowledge about psychedelics (r=0.12, p=0.129). On average, this sample of medical students showed strong support for changing the legal status of psychedelics to facilitate further research into their potential clinical applications (psilocybin: 80.2 (SD=24.8), scale: 0 (strongly oppose) to 100 (strongly support)). Regression modelling indicated that greater knowledge of psychedelics (p<0.001), lower estimated harm scores (p<0.001), more time spent in medical school (p=0.024) and lower perceived effectiveness of non-pharmacological mental health treatments (p=0.044) were associated with greater support for legal status change. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal a significant interest among UK medical students to learn more about psychedelic research and a strong support for further psychedelic research. Future studies are needed to examine how medical education could be refined to adequately prepare medical students for a changing healthcare landscape in which psychedelic-assisted therapy could soon be implemented in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edward Jacobs
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - James Rucker
- The Department of Psychological Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Kent, UK
| | | | | | - Marco Schlosser
- Division of Psychiatry, UCL, London, UK
- Institut für Psychotherapie Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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Tabaac BJ, Shinozuka K, Arenas A, Beutler BD, Cherian K, Evans VD, Fasano C, Muir OS. Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Psilocybin. Am J Ther 2024; 31:e121-e132. [PMID: 38518269 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary psychoactive drug in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, induces profound alterations in consciousness through the 5-HT2A receptor. This review consolidates current research findings to elucidate the pharmacology, safety profile, and clinical applications of psilocybin. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY Despite initial concerns that psilocybin could cause psychosis, contemporary research has demonstrated that psilocybin is generally safe. The most common adverse effects are nausea and headache, yet both tend to be transient. Serious adverse events can generally be avoided in controlled settings such as clinical trials. However, in the largest clinical trial to date, there were a total of 7 reported cases of suicidal ideation, up to 12 weeks after receiving a single 25 mg dose of psilocybin. That being said, all 7 cases did not respond to the treatment. Although selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may blunt the hallucinogenic qualities of psilocybin, preliminary research suggests that they may enhance its antidepressant effects. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES In clinical trials, psilocybin has shown promise for treating major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Initial studies indicated that 42%-57% of patients underwent remission after psilocybin-assisted therapy, which suggests that psilocybin is more effective than existing antidepressant medications. Clinical data have also demonstrated that psilocybin can manage substance use disorders and end-of-life anxiety with clinical outcomes that are sustained for months and sometimes years after 1 or 2 doses. LIMITATIONS However, larger Phase II trials with more than 100 depressed participants have shown a much smaller remission rate of 25%-29%, though these studies still observed that psilocybin causes a significant reduction in depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Aside from ketamine, psilocybin is the most clinically well-researched psychedelic drug, with trials that have enrolled hundreds of participants and multiple therapeutic applications. Phase III trials will determine whether psilocybin lives up to the promise that it showed in previous clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burton J Tabaac
- Reno School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
- Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV
| | - Kenneth Shinozuka
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Arenas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Bryce D Beutler
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Viviana D Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Owen S Muir
- Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and
- Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA
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Cherian K, Shinozuka K, Tabaac BJ, Arenas A, Beutler BD, Evans VD, Fasano C, Muir OS. Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Ibogaine. Am J Ther 2024; 31:e133-e140. [PMID: 38518270 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ibogaine is a plant-derived alkaloid that has been used for thousands of years in rites of passage and spiritual ceremonies in West-Central Africa. In the West, it has primarily been used and studied for its anti-addictive properties and more recently for other neuropsychiatric indications, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY Ibogaine requires careful patient screening and monitoring because of significant safety issues. There is potential for cardiotoxicity (prolonged QT interval); without rigorous screening, fatal arrhythmias may occur. However, preliminary research suggests that co-administration of ibogaine with magnesium may mitigate cardiotoxicity. Additionally, ibogaine may have dangerous interactions with opiates, so patients who receive ibogaine treatment for opioid use disorder must withdraw from long-acting opioids. Other potential concerning effects of ibogaine include rare incidences of mania or psychosis. Anticipated transient effects during ibogaine treatment can include ataxia, tremors, and gastrointestinal symptoms. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES Robust effects after a single treatment with ibogaine have been reported. In open-label and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), ibogaine reduces heroin and opioid cravings by upwards of 50%, up to 24 weeks after the treatment. An observational study of 30 Special Operations Forces veterans with mild traumatic brain injury reported that 86% were in remission from post-traumatic stress disorder, 83% from depression, and 83% from anxiety, one month after a single-dose ibogaine treatment. LIMITATIONS Although there are several observational and open-label studies, there is only a single double-blind, placebo-controlled RCT on ibogaine. More RCTs with large sample sizes must be conducted to support ibogaine's safety and efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Given the promising preliminary findings, ibogaine could potentially fill a much-needed gap in treatments for challenging conditions, including opioid dependence. Ibogaine's remarkable effects in traditionally treatment-resistant, combat-exposed individuals hints at its potential in broader populations with physical and psychological trauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Kenneth Shinozuka
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Burton J Tabaac
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV
- Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV
| | - Alejandro Arenas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Bryce D Beutler
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Viviana D Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Owen S Muir
- Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and
- Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA
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Beutler BD, Shinozuka K, Tabaac BJ, Arenas A, Cherian K, Evans VD, Fasano C, Muir OS. Psychedelic Therapy: A Primer for Primary Care Clinicians-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD). Am J Ther 2024; 31:e104-e111. [PMID: 38518267 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a hallucinogenic agent. In the mid-20th century, it was used to augment psychoanalysis and to treat alcohol use disorder. However, LSD was banned in 1970 in part because of concerns that it could bring about or exacerbate mental illness. Its therapeutic potential remains incompletely understood. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY While uncontrolled recreational use of LSD can, in rare instances, lead to long-term psychosis, adverse events in clinical trials of LSD, such as anxiety, headache, and nausea, have almost always been mild and transient. Serious adverse events, such as intense panic, suicidal ideation, and psychosis, were reported in either none or very few of the participants. However, patient selection criteria, optimal dosing strategy, and appropriate clinical follow-up guidelines remain to be established. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES Preliminary data suggest that LSD may be effective for the management of alcohol use disorder, anxiety, and depression. In trials of LSD for treating anxiety and depression associated with life-threatening illnesses, 77% of participants demonstrate durable relief at 1 year post-treatment. Top-line data from a large-scale phase IIb trial (n = 198) indicate that 50% of participants experience remission from generalized anxiety disorder after a single 100 μg dose of LSD. According to a meta-analysis of RCTs on LSD from the mid-20th century, single-dose regimens of LSD significantly improve alcohol use disorder (P < 0.0003) with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.96. LIMITATIONS Only one large-scale clinical trial (>50 participants) has been conducted on LSD in the contemporary era of psychedelic research. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed to explore potential clinical applications. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data suggest that LSD may be one of the most potent treatments for anxiety in patients both with and without a life-threatening illness. LSD may also be beneficial for treating depression and substance use disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce D Beutler
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kenneth Shinozuka
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Burton J Tabaac
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Reno, NV
- Department of Neurology, Carson Tahoe Health, Carson City, NV
| | - Alejandro Arenas
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA
| | - Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - Viviana D Evans
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY
| | | | - Owen S Muir
- Fermata Health, Brooklyn, NY; and
- Acacia Clinics, Sunnyvale, CA
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Suran M. Study Finds Hundreds of Reddit Posts on "Trip-Killers" for Psychedelic Drugs. JAMA 2024; 331:632-634. [PMID: 38294772 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.28257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
This Medical News article discusses a recent study that examined the remedies most often recommended on Reddit for diluting psychedelic experiences.
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Barba T, Kettner H, Radu C, Peill JM, Roseman L, Nutt DJ, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris R, Giribaldi B. Psychedelics and sexual functioning: a mixed-methods study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2181. [PMID: 38326446 PMCID: PMC10850066 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49817-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Do psychedelics affect sexual functioning postacutely? Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests they do, but this has never been formally tested. While sexual functioning and satisfaction are generally regarded as an important aspect of human wellbeing, sexual dysfunction is a common symptom of mental health disorders. It is also a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a first line treatment for depression. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the post-acute effects of psychedelics on self-reported sexual functioning, combining data from two independent studies, one large and naturalistic and the other a smaller but controlled clinical trial. Naturalistic use of psychedelics was associated with improvements in several facets of sexual functioning and satisfaction, including improved pleasure and communication during sex, satisfaction with one's partner and physical appearance. Convergent results were found in a controlled trial of psilocybin therapy versus an SSRI, escitalopram, for depression. In this trial, patients treated with psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while patients treated with escitalopram did not. Despite focusing on different populations and settings, this is the first research study to quantitively investigate the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning. Results imply a potential positive effect on post-acute sexual functioning and highlight the need for more research on this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommaso Barba
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Hannes Kettner
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Caterina Radu
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Joseph M Peill
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Leor Roseman
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David J Nutt
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David Erritzoe
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robin Carhart-Harris
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Bruna Giribaldi
- Department of Medicine, Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
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15
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Kassim FM, Tod S, Rodger J, Hood SD, Lee JWY, Albrecht MA, Martin-Iverson MT. Nabilone Impairs Spatial and Verbal Working Memory in Healthy Volunteers. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res 2024; 9:199-211. [PMID: 36201240 DOI: 10.1089/can.2022.0099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Memory impairments and psychosis-like experiences can be adverse effects of cannabis use. However, reports on the cognitive impact of cannabis use are not consistent. There are also limited studies on the psychotomimetic effects of cannabinoid compounds to reveal the association between cannabis and psychosis. Therefore, we investigated the effect of acute cannabinoid intoxication on verbal working memory (VWM) and spatial working memory (SWM) following oral doses of the synthetic cannabinoid agonist, nabilone (1-2 mg, oral). We further investigated the effect of nabilone on psychosis-like experiences (schizotypy scores) and associations of schizotypy with VWM and SWM. Methods: Healthy participants (n=28) completed spatial and digit span tasks across different delay conditions (0, 6, 12, and 18 sec) after receiving nabilone (1-2 mg, PO) or placebo in a randomized, double-blind, counterbalanced, crossover manner. A subset of participants completed a short battery of schizotypy measures (n=25). Results: Nabilone impaired VWM (p=0.03, weak effect size η2=0.02) and SWM (p=0.00016, η2=0.08). Nabilone did not significantly change overall schizotypy scores. Schizotypy scores were negatively correlated with working memory (WM) averaged across all delays and both modalities, under placebo (ρ=-0.41, p=0.04). In addition, there were significant negative correlations between occasions of cannabis use and overall WM averaged scores across drug treatments (ρ=-0.49, p=0.007) and under placebo (ρ=-0.45, p=0.004). The results showed that the drug effect in the less frequent cannabis users was more pronounced on the SWM (p<0.01) and VWM (p<0.01), whereas there appeared to be little drug effect in the frequent cannabis users. Conclusion: Low doses of synthetic cannabinoid impaired SWM and VWM, indicating that exogenous activation of the cannabinoid system influences cognitive performance. Further, the results replicated previous findings that schizotypy is correlated with deficits in WM. Clinical Trial Registry Name: Nabilone and caffeine effects on the perceptions of visually, auditory, tactile and multimodal illusions in healthy volunteers. Clinical Trial Registration Number: CT-2018-CTN-02561 (Therapeutic Goods Administration Clinical Trial Registry) and ACTRN12618001292268 (The Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry).
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Affiliation(s)
- Faiz M Kassim
- Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sophie Tod
- Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jennifer Rodger
- Experimental and Regenerative Neurosciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
- Brain Plasticity Group, Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sean D Hood
- Division of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joseph W Y Lee
- Division of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Matthew A Albrecht
- Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, School of Psychological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Mathew T Martin-Iverson
- Psychopharmacology Research Unit, Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Yates G, Melon E. Trip-killers: a concerning practice associated with psychedelic drug use. Emerg Med J 2024; 41:112-113. [PMID: 38123961 DOI: 10.1136/emermed-2023-213377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
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17
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Lo DF, Zia H, Rajkumar P, Thakur A, O'Donnell H. Modern Psychedelic Microdosing Research on Mental Health: A Systematic Review. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2024; 26:23r03581. [PMID: 38228068 DOI: 10.4088/pcc.23r03581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the relationship between psychedelic microdosing and its effects on mental health, aiming to understand if microdosing can improve mental well-being. Data Sources: PubMed and Scopus were searched on December 25, 2022, using search terms related to psychedelics, microdosing, and mental health. The inclusion criteria focused on studies published between January 1, 2012, and November 30, 2022. There were no language restrictions for the initial search; however, for the study selection, only articles in English were considered. Study Selection: A total of 45 articles were initially identified. After removing duplicates, 27 unique articles were screened based on their titles and abstracts, resulting in 19 articles included in the final review. The studies were selected based on their relevance to the relationship between mental health and psychedelic microdosing. Data Extraction: The extracted data from the selected studies included sample sizes, demographics, survey designs, and qualitative and quantitative analyses related to the outcomes of individuals with mental health issues who also engaged in psychedelic microdosing. The QualSyst Quality Assessment Checklist was used to assess the methodological rigor and quality of each study. The data extraction process involved systematically reviewing each article and summarizing key findings related to the impact of microdosing on mental health. Results: The review revealed that microdosing psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin, showed potential benefits on mental health. Users reported positive effects, including improved mood, increased focus, and better daily function. However, there were also challenges reported, such as physiologic discomfort and increased anxiety. Some studies observed that positive expectations about microdosing led to positive outcomes. The studies varied in design, with some being observational, others placebo-controlled, and some relying on self-reported data. Conclusions: There is a growing body of evidence suggesting a positive correlation between psychedelic microdosing and improved mental well-being. However, due to the limited number of controlled studies and the small sample sizes in some of the studies, the causal relationship between microdosing and mental health improvement remains uncertain. The review calls for further research with double-blind experiments, control groups, and larger sample sizes that represent the general population to better understand the potential benefits and risks of psychedelic microdosing on mental health. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2024;26(1):23r03581. Author affiliations are listed at the end of this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Lo
- Department of Medicine, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Stratford, New Jersey
- American Preventive Screening and Education Association (APSEA), Stratford, New Jersey
- Department of Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
- Corresponding Author: David F. Lo, MBS, Department of Medicine, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine, 1 Medical Center Dr, Stratford, NJ 08084
| | - Hasan Zia
- American Preventive Screening and Education Association (APSEA), Stratford, New Jersey
- Department of Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
| | - Pranetha Rajkumar
- American Preventive Screening and Education Association (APSEA), Stratford, New Jersey
- Department of Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
| | - Adarsh Thakur
- American Preventive Screening and Education Association (APSEA), Stratford, New Jersey
- Department of Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
| | - Heather O'Donnell
- American Preventive Screening and Education Association (APSEA), Stratford, New Jersey
- Department of Biology, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick
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18
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Alpert MD, O'Donnell KC, Paleos CA, Sola E, Stauffer CS, Wagner AC, Nicholas CR, Mithoefer MC. Psychotherapy in Psychedelic Treatment: Safe, Evidence-Based, and Necessary. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:76-77. [PMID: 38161307 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael D Alpert
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Kelley C O'Donnell
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Casey A Paleos
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Evan Sola
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Christopher S Stauffer
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Anne C Wagner
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Christopher R Nicholas
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
| | - Michael C Mithoefer
- Department of Psychiatry, Beth Israel-Deaconess Medical Center, Boston (Alpert); Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine (O'Donnell); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, Polaris Insight Center, San Francisco (Sola); Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Remedy and Remedy Institute, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto (Wagner); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wis. (Nicholas); MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, San Jose, Calif., Dept of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C., Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York (Mithoefer)
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19
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduardo Ekman Schenberg
- Instituto Phaneros, São Paulo, Brazil (Schenberg); Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (King); Psychotherapist in private practice, Lisbon (Fonseca); Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exter, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Roseman)
| | - Franklin King
- Instituto Phaneros, São Paulo, Brazil (Schenberg); Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (King); Psychotherapist in private practice, Lisbon (Fonseca); Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exter, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Roseman)
| | - João Eusébio da Fonseca
- Instituto Phaneros, São Paulo, Brazil (Schenberg); Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (King); Psychotherapist in private practice, Lisbon (Fonseca); Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exter, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Roseman)
| | - Leor Roseman
- Instituto Phaneros, São Paulo, Brazil (Schenberg); Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston (King); Psychotherapist in private practice, Lisbon (Fonseca); Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exter, United Kingdom; Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London (Roseman)
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20
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Cavarra M, Mason NL, Kuypers KPC, Bonnelle V, Smith WJ, Feilding A, Kryskow P, Ramaekers JG. Potential analgesic effects of psychedelics on select chronic pain conditions: A survey study. Eur J Pain 2024; 28:153-165. [PMID: 37599279 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain is a major cause of suffering and disability and is often associated with psychiatric complications. Current treatments carry the risk of severe side effects and may lead to limited or no relief at all in a relevant portion of this patient population. Preliminary evidence suggests that classical psychedelics (e.g. LSD and psilocybin) may have analgesic effects in healthy volunteers, and in certain chronic pain conditions and observational studies reveal that they are used in naturalistic settings as a means to manage pain. METHODS In order to gain insight on the effectiveness of such compounds in chronic pain conditions, we set up a survey addressed to chronic pain patients inquiring about psychedelic use and the relief levels achieved with both conventional treatments, full psychedelic doses and microdoses. We analysed data related to five conditions selected based on diagnostic homogeneity within each of them: fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, tension-type headache and sciatica. RESULTS Except for sciatica, volunteers reported that psychedelics led to better pain relief compared to conventional medication in all examined conditions. More specifically, full doses performed better than conventional medication. Microdoses led to significantly better relief compared to conventional medication in migraines and achieved comparable relief in the remaining three categories. Implications for future research are discussed. CONCLUSIONS Full doses and microdoses may hold value in the treatment of some specific chronic pain conditions. SIGNIFICANCE Psychedelic substances are receiving increasing attention from the scientific literature because of evidence showing beneficial effects on several measures related to mental health in clinical samples and healthy volunteers samples. Previous evidence suggests that people suffering from chronic pain are using psychedelics to seek relief and the present paper presents the results of a survey study investigating their use and analgesic effects among individuals suffering from fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, tension-type headache and sciatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Cavarra
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Natasha Leigh Mason
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Kim P C Kuypers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Pamela Kryskow
- Department of Family Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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21
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Abstract
Classic psychedelics, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), are potent psychoactive substances that have been studied for their physiological and psychological effects. However, our understanding of the potential interactions and outcomes when using these substances in combination with other drugs is limited. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current research on drug-drug interactions between classic psychedelics and other drugs in humans. We conducted a thorough literature search using multiple databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and other sources to supplement our search for relevant studies. A total of 7102 records were screened, and studies involving human data describing potential interactions (as well as the lack thereof) between classic psychedelics and other drugs were included. In total, we identified 52 studies from 36 reports published before September 2, 2023, encompassing 32 studies on LSD, 10 on psilocybin, 4 on mescaline, 3 on DMT, 2 on 5-MeO-DMT and 1 on ayahuasca. These studies provide insights into the interactions between classic psychedelics and a range of drugs, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, anxiolytics, mood stabilisers, recreational drugs and others. The findings revealed various effects when psychedelics were combined with other drugs, including both attenuated and potentiated effects, as well as instances where no changes were observed. Except for a few case reports, no serious adverse drug events were described in the included studies. An in-depth discussion of the results is presented, along with an exploration of the potential molecular pathways that underlie the observed effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Halman
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Geraldine Kong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jerome Sarris
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
- Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Psychae Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniel Perkins
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Psychae Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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22
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Metz TD, Allshouse AA, McMillin GA, Greene T, Chung JH, Grobman WA, Haas DM, Mercer BM, Parry S, Reddy UM, Saade GR, Simhan HN, Silver RM. Cannabis Exposure and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Related to Placental Function. JAMA 2023; 330:2191-2199. [PMID: 38085313 PMCID: PMC10716715 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.21146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Importance Cannabis use is increasing among reproductive-age individuals and the risks associated with cannabis exposure during pregnancy remain uncertain. Objective To evaluate the association between maternal cannabis use and adverse pregnancy outcomes known to be related to placental function. Design, Setting, and Participants Ancillary analysis of nulliparous individuals treated at 8 US medical centers with stored urine samples and abstracted pregnancy outcome data available. Participants in the Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-to-Be cohort were recruited from 2010 through 2013; the drug assays and analyses for this ancillary project were completed from June 2020 through April 2023. Exposure Cannabis exposure was ascertained by urine immunoassay for 11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol using frozen stored urine samples from study visits during the pregnancy gestational age windows of 6 weeks and 0 days to 13 weeks and 6 days (visit 1); 16 weeks and 0 days to 21 weeks and 6 days (visit 2); and 22 weeks and 0 days to 29 weeks and 6 days (visit 3). Positive results were confirmed with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The timing of cannabis exposure was defined as only during the first trimester or ongoing exposure beyond the first trimester. Main Outcome and Measure The dichotomous primary composite outcome included small-for-gestational-age birth, medically indicated preterm birth, stillbirth, or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy ascertained by medical record abstraction by trained perinatal research staff with adjudication of outcomes by site investigators. Results Of 10 038 participants, 9257 were eligible for this analysis. Of the 610 participants (6.6%) with cannabis use, 32.4% (n = 197) had cannabis exposure only during the first trimester and 67.6% (n = 413) had ongoing exposure beyond the first trimester. Cannabis exposure was associated with the primary composite outcome (25.9% in the cannabis exposure group vs 17.4% in the no exposure group; adjusted relative risk, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.07-1.49]) in the propensity score-weighted analyses after adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and active nicotine use ascertained via urine cotinine assays. In a 3-category cannabis exposure model (no exposure, exposure only during the first trimester, or ongoing exposure), cannabis use during the first trimester only was not associated with the primary composite outcome; however, ongoing cannabis use was associated with the primary composite outcome (adjusted relative risk, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.09-1.60]). Conclusions and Relevance In this multicenter cohort, maternal cannabis use ascertained by biological sampling was associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placental dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gwendolyn A McMillin
- University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City
- ARUP Laboratories, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Tom Greene
- University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City
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23
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Wsół A. Cardiovascular safety of psychedelic medicine: current status and future directions. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:1362-1380. [PMID: 37874530 PMCID: PMC10661823 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00539-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelics are powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception and mood processes. Their effectiveness in the treatment of psychiatric diseases was known before their prohibition. An increasing number of recent studies, due to the indisputable resurgence of serotonergic hallucinogens, have shown their efficacy in alleviating depression, anxiety, substance abuse therapies, and existential distress treatment in patients facing life-threatening illness. Psychedelics are generally considered to be physiologically safe with low toxicity and low addictive potential. However, their agonism at serotonergic receptors should be considered in the context of possible serotonin-related cardiotoxicity (5-HT2A/2B and 5-HT4 receptors), influence on platelet aggregation (5-HT2A receptor), and their proarrhythmic potential. The use of psychedelics has also been associated with significant sympathomimetic effects in both experimental and clinical studies. Therefore, the present review aims to provide a critical discussion of the cardiovascular safety of psilocybin, d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N,N-dimethyltryptamine, ayahuasca, and mescaline, based on the results of experimental research and clinical trials in humans. Experimental studies provide inconsistent information on the potential cardiovascular effects and toxicity of psychedelics. Data from clinical trials point to the relative cardiovascular safety of psychedelic-assisted therapies in the population of "healthy" volunteers. However, there is insufficient evidence from therapies carried out with microdoses of psychedelics, and there is still a lack of data on the safety of psychedelics in the population of patients with cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the exact determination of the cardiovascular safety of psychedelic therapies (especially long-term therapies) requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Wsół
- Chair and Department of Experimental and Clinical Physiology, Laboratory of Centre for Preclinical Research, Medical University of Warsaw, Banacha 1B, 02-097, Warsaw, Poland.
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24
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Śladowska K, Kawalec P, Brzostek T, Pilc A. Potential use of psilocybin drugs in the treatment of depression. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2023; 28:241-256. [PMID: 37817501 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2023.2264180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Depression is a common disabling psychiatric disorder, which - in extreme cases - may lead to suicide if untreated or inadequately treated. Despite the availability of various treatments for depression, including pharmacotherapy, there is still a need to search for new agents with higher effectiveness and faster onset of action, especially for patients with treatment-resistant depression. AREAS COVERED A substance that has attracted considerable attention for nearly a decade is psilocybin, a natural psychedelic found in psilocybin mushrooms. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of psilocybin in the treatment of depression, based on pivotal randomized clinical trials. Moreover, we used findings from observational studies regarding recreational use. We also looked at ongoing clinical trials and discussed the registration status and clinical potential of the drug. EXPERT OPINION Clinical phase I-II trials published to date reported promising results for psilocybin in the treatment of patients with major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, in a relatively short time after administration. However, before psilocybin is approved for use and administered to patients with depression, the results of large ongoing phase III clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety and to change the way it is perceived by physicians and patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Śladowska
- Department of Nutrition and Drug Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Paweł Kawalec
- Department of Nutrition and Drug Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz Brzostek
- Department of Internal and Community Nursing, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Andrzej Pilc
- Department of Nutrition and Drug Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Neurobiology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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25
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Uchida H. [Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future]. Brain Nerve 2023; 75:1355-1359. [PMID: 38097228 DOI: 10.11477/mf.1416202540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a growing movement to apply psychedelic drugs for treating psychiatric disorders, including depression. Although the therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs were verified in the 1960s, their abuse by the public led to their designation as narcotics in 1970, and clinical research on them was suspended for a time. However, since 1994, clinical trials have been conducted in large numbers and elicited great excitement. In this review, we consider the history of psychedelic drugs with potent therapeutic effects and outline the prospects for this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine
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26
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Myran DT, Harrison LD, Pugliese M, Solmi M, Anderson KK, Fiedorowicz JG, Perlman CM, Webber C, Finkelstein Y, Tanuseputro P. Transition to Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder Following Emergency Department Visits Due to Substance Use With and Without Psychosis. JAMA Psychiatry 2023; 80:1169-1174. [PMID: 37755727 PMCID: PMC10535000 DOI: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.3582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Importance Episodes of substance-induced psychosis are associated with increased risk of developing a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. However, there are limited data on the transition risk for substance use without psychosis. Objectives To quantify the risk of transition to schizophrenia spectrum disorder following an incident emergency department (ED) visit for (1) substance-induced psychosis and (2) substance use without psychosis and to explore factors associated with transition. Design, Settings, and Participants A population-based retrospective cohort study (January 2008 to March 2022) of all individuals, aged 14 to 65 years, in Ontario, Canada, with no history of a psychotic disorder. Individuals with incident ED visits for substance use with and without psychosis were compared with members of the general population. Main Outcomes and Measures Transition to schizophrenia spectrum disorder using a chart-validated algorithm. Associations between ED visits for substance use and subsequent transition were estimated using cause-specific hazard models. Results The study included 9 844 497 individuals, aged 14 to 65 years (mean [SD] age, 40.2 [14.7] years; 50.2% female) without a history of psychosis. There were 407 737 individuals with an incident ED visit for substance use, of which 13 784 (3.4%) ED visits were for substance-induced psychosis. Individuals with substance-induced psychosis were at a 163-fold (age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 163.2; 95% CI, 156.1-170.5) increased risk of transitioning, relative to the general population (3-year risk, 18.5% vs 0.1%). Individuals with an ED visit for substance use without psychosis had a lower relative risk of transitioning (aHR, 9.8; 95% CI, 9.5-10.2; 3-year risk, 1.4%), but incurred more than 3 times the absolute number of transitions (9969 vs 3029). Cannabis use had the highest transition risk among visits with psychosis (aHR, 241.6; 95% CI, 225.5-258.9) and the third-highest risk among visits without psychosis (aHR, 14.3; 95% CI, 13.5-15.2). Younger age and male sex were associated with a higher risk of transition, and the risk of male sex was greater in younger compared with older individuals, particularly for cannabis use. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this cohort study suggest that ED visits for substance use were associated with an increased risk of developing a schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Although substance-induced psychoses had a greater relative transition risk, substance use without psychosis was far more prevalent and resulted in a greater absolute number of transitions. Several factors were associated with higher transition risk, with implications for counseling and early intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T. Myran
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- ICES uOttawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lyndsay D. Harrison
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael Pugliese
- ICES uOttawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco Solmi
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kelly K. Anderson
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
- ICES Western, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jess G. Fiedorowicz
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Neurosciences, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Colleen Webber
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- ICES uOttawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yaron Finkelstein
- Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Tanuseputro
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Bruyère Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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27
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Olafsson RP, Kvaran K, Ketilsdottir K, Hallgrimsdottir K, Sigurdsson EL, Sigurdsson E. [Psychedelics and treatment of mental disorders: A survey of attitudes and knowledge among psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists in Iceland]. LAEKNABLADID 2023; 109:495-503. [PMID: 37909445 DOI: 10.17992/lbl.2023.11.766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Interest in the use of psychedelics has increased following reports of their possible therapeutic potential. However, little is known about the knowledge of and attitudes towards the substances among health care professional who provide treatment for mental disorders in Iceland. An online survey was therefore conducted among members of the Icelandic associations of psychiatrists, general practitioners and psychologists. METHODS Respondents were 256 in total, including 177 psychologists, 38 psychiatrists and 41 general practitioners that provided information on their background, type of work, knowledge of and attitude towards different types of psychedelic substances and their views on optimal service delivery if psychedelics were approved by licencing authorities and used for treatment. RESULTS Around half of psychiatrists reported having received questions about treatment with psychedelics in their clinical work, compared to only 14,6% of general practitioners and 17,5% of psychologists. The majority of respondents had little, or no knowledge of the substances targeted in the survey. A majority also expressed negative attitudes towards treatment with psilocybin mushrooms, but was positive towards ongoing scientific research and felt that such a treatment should be prescribed and provided by psychiatrists. Moreover, the majority view was that psilocybin treatment should be provided in specialised clinics or psychiatric units in a hospital setting. Scientific articles on the topic, discussions with colleagues and information in the media were identified as having had most influence on respondents´ attitudes towards psychedelics. Most respondents were interested in further education on psychedelics. CONCLUSIONS Respondents among these three professions felt that the time has not yet come to use psychedelics in the treatment of mental disorders in Iceland but thought more education on psychedelics, their potential efficacy and adverse health effects is important given the increased interest in psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Emil L Sigurdsson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Development Centre for Primary Healthcare in Iceland
| | - Engilbert Sigurdsson
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Mental Health Services, Reykjavik
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28
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Evans J, Robinson OC, Argyri EK, Suseelan S, Murphy-Beiner A, McAlpine R, Luke D, Michelle K, Prideaux E. Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293349. [PMID: 37874826 PMCID: PMC10597511 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Long-term adverse experiences following psychedelic use can persist for weeks, months, or even years, and are relatively unexplored in psychedelic research. Our convergent mixed-method study gained quantitative and qualitative data from 608 participants who reported extended difficulties following psychedelic experiences. Data was gathered on the context of use, the nature and duration of the challenges they experienced (including a written description of these), plus a range of possible risk factors and perceived causes. The most common forms of extended difficulty were feelings of anxiety and fear, existential struggle, social disconnection, depersonalization and derealization. For approximately one-third of the participants, problems persisted for over a year, and for a sixth, they endured for more than three years. It was found that a shorter duration of difficulties was predicted by knowledge of dose, drug type and lower levels of difficulty reported during the psychoactive experience, while a narrower range of difficulties was predicted by taking the drug in a guided setting. Implications for psychedelic harm reduction are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jules Evans
- Centre for the History of Emotions, Queen Mary University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver C. Robinson
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Shayam Suseelan
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Rosalind McAlpine
- Division of Psychology & Language Sciences, University of College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Luke
- School of Human Sciences, University of Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katrina Michelle
- Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Ed Prideaux
- Researcher, Perception Restoration Foundation, San Juan, Puerto Rico, United States of America
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29
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Goel A, Rai Y, Sivadas S, Diep C, Clarke H, Shanthanna H, Ladha KS. Use of Psychedelics for Pain: A Scoping Review. Anesthesiology 2023; 139:523-536. [PMID: 37698433 DOI: 10.1097/aln.0000000000004673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a public health concern that affects approximately 1.5 billion people globally. Conventional therapeutic agents including opioid and non-opioid analgesics have been associated with adverse side effects, issues with addiction, and ineffective analgesia. Novel agents repurposed to treat pain via different mechanisms are needed to fill the therapeutic gap in chronic pain management. Psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin (the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms) are thought to alter pain perception through direct serotonin receptor agonism, anti-inflammatory effects, and synaptic remodeling. This scoping review was conducted to identify human studies in which psychedelic agents were used for the treatment of pain. Twenty-one articles that assessed the effects of psychedelics in treating various pain states were included. The present scarcity of clinical trials and small sample sizes limit their application for clinical use. Overall, psychedelics appear to show promise for analgesia in patients with certain headache disorders and cancer pain diagnoses. Future studies must aim to examine the combined effects of psychotherapy and psychedelics on chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Goel
- Department of Anesthesiology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yeshith Rai
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Shayan Sivadas
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Calvin Diep
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Hance Clarke
- Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Harsha Shanthanna
- Departments of Anesthesia, Surgery and Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karim S Ladha
- Department of Anesthesiology, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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30
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Lebedev AV, Acar K, Horntvedt O, Cabrera AE, Simonsson O, Osika W, Ingvar M, Petrovic P. Alternative beliefs in psychedelic drug users. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16432. [PMID: 37777572 PMCID: PMC10542757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42444-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Previous research has suggested that classical psychedelics can foster significant and enduring changes in personality traits and subjective wellbeing. Despite the lack of evidence for adverse effects on mental health stemming from psychedelic use, concerns persist regarding the capacity of these substances to modulate information processing and attitudes towards factual data. The aim of the present study was to investigate the propensity for accepting alternative facts and the general treatment of knowledge within a sample of 392 participants, 233 of whom reported at least a single incidence of psychedelic use in their lifetime. To do this, we leveraged step-wise methods of linear modelling investigating effects of demographics, psychiatric conditions and concomitant drug use. Our findings revealed a moderate positive association between psychedelic use and beliefs in alternative facts, as well as the specific belief that facts are politically influenced. However, no links were found for favouring intuition over evidence when confirming facts. Among other investigated drugs, only alcohol was negatively associated with beliefs in alternative facts. Taken together, our results support the link between psychedelic use and non-conformist thinking styles, which can be attributed to the psychological effects of the drugs themselves, but may also mirror a common trait related to unconventional beliefs and illicit substance use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander V Lebedev
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Kasim Acar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Otilia Horntvedt
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrés E Cabrera
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Otto Simonsson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Walter Osika
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Psychiatry Research, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingvar
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Predrag Petrovic
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Bremler R, Katati N, Shergill P, Erritzoe D, Carhart-Harris RL. Case analysis of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15998. [PMID: 37749109 PMCID: PMC10519946 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41145-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent controversies have arisen regarding claims of uncritical positive regard and hype surrounding psychedelic drugs and their therapeutic potential. Criticisms have included that study designs and reporting styles bias positive over negative outcomes. The present study was motivated by a desire to address this alleged bias by intentionally focusing exclusively on negative outcomes, defined as self-perceived 'negative' psychological responses lasting for at least 72 h after psychedelic use. A strong justification for this selective focus was that it might improve our ability to capture otherwise missed cases of negative response, enabling us to validate their existence and better examine their nature, as well as possible causes, which could inspire risk-mitigation strategies. Via advertisements posted on social media, individuals were recruited who reported experiencing negative psychological responses to psychedelics (defined as classic psychedelics plus MDMA) lasting for greater than 72 h since using. Volunteers were directed to an online questionnaire requiring quantitative and qualitative input. A key second phase of this study involved reviewing all of the submitted cases, identifying the most severe-e.g., where new psychiatric diagnoses were made or pre-existing symptoms made worse post psychedelic-use-and inviting these individuals to participate in a semi-structured interview with two members of our research team, during which participant experiences and backgrounds were examined in greater depth. Based on the content of these interviews, a brief summary of each case was compiled, and an explorative thematic analysis was used to identify salient and consistent themes and infer common causes. 32 individuals fully completed an onboarding questionnaire (56% male, 53% < age 25); 37.5% of completers had a psychiatric diagnosis that emerged after their psychedelic experience, and anxiety symptoms arose or worsened in 87%. Twenty of the seemingly severer cases were invited to be interviewed; of these, 15 accepted an in-depth interview that lasted on average 60 min. This sample was 40% male, mean age = 31 ± 7. Five of the 15 (i.e., 33%) reported receiving new psychiatric diagnoses after psychedelic-use and all fifteen reported the occurrence or worsening of psychiatric symptoms post use, with a predominance of anxiety symptoms (93%). Distilling the content of the interviews suggested the following potential causal factors: unsafe or complex environments during or surrounding the experience, unpleasant acute experiences (classic psychedelics), prior psychological vulnerabilities, high- or unknown drug quantities and young age. The current exploratory findings corroborate the reality of mental health iatrogenesis via psychedelic-use but due to design limitations and sample size, cannot be used to infer on its prevalence. Based on interview reports, we can infer a common, albeit multifaceted, causal mechanism, namely the combining of a pro-plasticity drug-that was often 'over-dosed'-with adverse contextual conditions and/or special psychological vulnerability-either by young age or significant psychiatric history. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and selective sample and study focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecka Bremler
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | - Nancy Katati
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - David Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robin L Carhart-Harris
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, USA
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Murphy RJ, Sumner R, Evans W, Ponton R, Ram S, Godfrey K, Forsyth A, Cavadino A, Krishnamurthy Naga V, Smith T, Hoeh NR, Menkes DB, Muthukumaraswamy S. Acute Mood-Elevating Properties of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Volunteers: A Home-Administered Randomized Controlled Trial. Biol Psychiatry 2023; 94:511-521. [PMID: 36997080 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2023.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a widespread social phenomenon with diverse benefits claimed for mood and cognition. Randomized controlled trials have failed to support these claims, but the laboratory-based dosing in trials conducted to date may have limited ecological validity. METHODS Healthy male volunteers were randomized into lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) (n = 40) and placebo (n = 40) groups and received 14 doses of either 10 μg LSD or an inactive placebo every 3 days for 6 weeks. First doses were given in a supervised laboratory setting, with other doses self-administered in a naturalistic setting. Results of safety data, blinding, daily questionnaires, expectancy, and pre-/postintervention psychometrics and cognitive tasks are presented here. RESULTS The most notable reported adverse event was treatment-related anxiety, which prompted the withdrawal of 4 participants from the LSD group. Daily questionnaires showed credible evidence (>99% posterior probability) of improved ratings of creativity, connectedness, energy, happiness, irritability, and wellness on dose days compared with nondose days, and these effects remained when controlling for preintervention expectancy. No questionnaire or cognitive task showed a credible change between baseline and 6-week assessment time points. CONCLUSIONS Microdosing LSD appears to be relatively safe in healthy adult men, notwithstanding a risk of anxiety. While microdosing elicited transient increases in scales associated with mood-elevating effects, it was not sufficient to promote enduring changes to overall mood or cognition in healthy adults. Future microdosing trials in clinical populations will require the use of active placebos to control for placebo effects and dose titration to adjust for interindividual variability in drug response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin J Murphy
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Rachael Sumner
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Rhys Ponton
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sanya Ram
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kate Godfrey
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, England, UK
| | - Anna Forsyth
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alana Cavadino
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Venkat Krishnamurthy Naga
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Nicholas R Hoeh
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David B Menkes
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Suresh Muthukumaraswamy
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
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Raison CL, Sanacora G, Woolley J, Heinzerling K, Dunlop BW, Brown RT, Kakar R, Hassman M, Trivedi RP, Robison R, Gukasyan N, Nayak SM, Hu X, O’Donnell KC, Kelmendi B, Sloshower J, Penn AD, Bradley E, Kelly DF, Mletzko T, Nicholas CR, Hutson PR, Tarpley G, Utzinger M, Lenoch K, Warchol K, Gapasin T, Davis MC, Nelson-Douthit C, Wilson S, Brown C, Linton W, Ross S, Griffiths RR. Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2023; 330:843-853. [PMID: 37651119 PMCID: PMC10472268 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2023.14530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Importance Psilocybin shows promise as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). Objective To evaluate the magnitude, timing, and durability of antidepressant effects and safety of a single dose of psilocybin in patients with MDD. Design, Setting, and Participants In this phase 2 trial conducted between December 2019 and June 2022 at 11 research sites in the US, participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive a single dose of psilocybin vs niacin placebo administered with psychological support. Participants were adults aged 21 to 65 years with a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition diagnosis of MDD of at least 60 days' duration and moderate or greater symptom severity. Exclusion criteria included history of psychosis or mania, active substance use disorder, and active suicidal ideation with intent. Participants taking psychotropic agents who otherwise met inclusion/exclusion criteria were eligible following medication taper. Primary and secondary outcomes and adverse events (AEs) were assessed at baseline (conducted within 7 days before dosing) and at 2, 8, 15, 29, and 43 days after dosing. Interventions Interventions were a 25-mg dose of synthetic psilocybin or a 100-mg dose of niacin in identical-appearing capsules, each administered with psychological support. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was change in central rater-assessed Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) score (range, 0-60; higher scores indicate more severe depression) from baseline to day 43. The key secondary outcome measure was change in MADRS score from baseline to day 8. Other secondary outcomes were change in Sheehan Disability Scale score from baseline to day 43 and MADRS-defined sustained response and remission. Participants, study site personnel, study sponsor, outcome assessors (raters), and statisticians were blinded to treatment assignment. Results A total of 104 participants (mean [SD] age, 41.1 [11.3] years; 52 [50%] women) were randomized (51 to the psilocybin group and 53 to the niacin group). Psilocybin treatment was associated with significantly reduced MADRS scores compared with niacin from baseline to day 43 (mean difference,-12.3 [95% CI, -17.5 to -7.2]; P <.001) and from baseline to day 8 (mean difference, -12.0 [95% CI, -16.6 to -7.4]; P < .001). Psilocybin treatment was also associated with significantly reduced Sheehan Disability Scale scores compared with niacin (mean difference, -2.31 [95% CI, 3.50-1.11]; P < .001) from baseline to day 43. More participants receiving psilocybin had sustained response (but not remission) than those receiving niacin. There were no serious treatment-emergent AEs; however, psilocybin treatment was associated with a higher rate of overall AEs and a higher rate of severe AEs. Conclusions and Relevance Psilocybin treatment was associated with a clinically significant sustained reduction in depressive symptoms and functional disability, without serious adverse events. These findings add to increasing evidence that psilocybin-when administered with psychological support-may hold promise as a novel intervention for MDD. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03866174.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Joshua Woolley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Boadie W. Dunlop
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Randall T. Brown
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison
| | - Rishi Kakar
- Center for Psychedelic Research, Segal Trials, Lauderhill, Florida
| | | | | | - Reid Robison
- Numinus Wellness, Draper, Utah
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City
| | - Natalie Gukasyan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Sandeep M. Nayak
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Xiaojue Hu
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Kelley C. O’Donnell
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Jordan Sloshower
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Andrew D. Penn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco
- School of Nursing, University of California San Francisco
| | - Ellen Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco
- San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, California
| | | | - Tanja Mletzko
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Christopher R. Nicholas
- Department of Family Medicine & Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison
| | - Paul R. Hutson
- Pharmacy Practice & Translational Research Division, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Stephen Ross
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Roland R. Griffiths
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the role of psychedelics in the treatment of anxiety or depression among patients with cancer. DATA SOURCES PubMed search from inception to March 11, 2022, using the terms anxiety, depression, psychedelics, psilocybin, lysergic acid, methylenedioxymethamphetamine, or ayahuasca. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION Studies assessing patients with cancer receiving psychedelics for the treatment of anxiety or depression. DATA SYNTHESIS Five unique randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials were conducted. Significant reductions were found in 2 trials with 2 anxiety scales (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait) and in 1 trial with 2 additional anxiety scales (Hamilton Rating Scale-Anxiety, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety). Significant reductions were found in 2 trials in 2 depression scales (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression, Beck Depression Inventory) and in 1 trial with an additional depression scale (Hamilton Rating Scale-Depression). Two studies assessed for clinically relevant reductions in anxiety and depression scores, and they occurred much more commonly in psychedelic-treated patients than those given placebo. RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE There is a new potential option for treating patients with anxiety and depression along with cancer, which is important given the generally lackluster benefits with traditional antidepressants. Only a few sessions may also provide benefits extending out for 6 to 12 months and possibly beyond that. However, the studies were small, had many methodological limitations, and there were increases in blood pressure and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS Psychedelics have a unique mechanism of action that might be well suited for treating anxiety and depression associated with cancer. This offers new promise for patients who are not being sufficiently treated with current antianxiety or antidepressant medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Michael White
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Nissen Weisman
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Joseph Dalo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT, USA
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36
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Gannon BM, Fitzgerald LR, Godwin CO, Hughes-Meredith HD, Rice KC, Fantegrossi WE. Effects of ambient temperature on locomotor activity and place conditioning elicited by abused psychostimulants in mice: Role of 3,4-methylenedioxy moiety. Drug Alcohol Depend 2023; 250:110917. [PMID: 37579623 PMCID: PMC10481935 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Humans often administer psychostimulants in party or music festival settings characterized by warm ambient temperatures, which may impact drug effects; however, preclinical studies rarely investigate drug effects at multiple ambient temperatures. Work with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) suggests that the presence of a 3,4-methylenedioxy ring moiety may influence ambient temperature-dependent effects. METHODS Locomotor activity and conditioned place preference dose-response curves were generated at 20±2°C for two amphetamine analogues (MDMA and methamphetamine [METH]) and two cathinone analogues (MDPV and α-pyrrolidinopentiophenone [αPVP]) in mice. Effects were then redetermined at 29±2°C for each drug and assay. RESULTS All four drugs elicited dose-dependent locomotor stimulation at the cool ambient temperature. At the warm ambient temperature, MDMA and MDPV produced sensitization to stereotypy, whereas METH and αPVP produced sensitization to locomotor activity. Regarding place conditioning, the warm ambient environment potentiated place preference elicited by doses of METH and αPVP that were sub-threshold in the cool ambient environment, but attenuated the effects of analogous doses of MDMA and MDPV. CONCLUSIONS These studies suggest that warmer ambient temperatures may potentiate typical stimulant effects for the drugs lacking the 3,4-methylenedioxy ring, but may potentiate the behaviorally toxic/adverse effects for the drugs containing a 3,4-methylenedioxy ring. Thus, preclinical abuse liability studies conducted at standard laboratory temperatures may not fully capture the effects of psychostimulants and highlight the need to model the environments in which drugs are typically used by humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda M Gannon
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Lauren R Fitzgerald
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Christopher O Godwin
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Heidi D Hughes-Meredith
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, Chemical Biology Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - William E Fantegrossi
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA.
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Abstract
Psychedelic microdosing is the practice of taking very low doses of psychedelic substances, typically over a longer period of time. The long-term safety of chronic microdosing is relatively uncharacterized, but valvular heart disease (VHD) has been proposed as a potential risk due to activation of the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor. However, this risk has not yet been comprehensively assessed. This analysis searched for all relevant in vitro, animal, and clinical studies related to the VHD risk of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and the non-psychedelic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). All five compounds and some metabolites could bind to the 5-HT2B receptor with potency equal to or greater than that of the 5-HT2A receptor, the primary target of psychedelics. All compounds were partial agonists at the 5-HT2B receptor with the exception of mescaline, which could not be adequately assessed due to low potency. Safety margins relative to the maximum plasma concentrations from typical microdoses were greater than known valvulopathogens, but not without potential risk. No animal or clinical studies appropriately designed to evaluate VHD risk were found for the four psychedelics. However, there is some clinical evidence that chronic ingestion of full doses of MDMA is associated with VHD. We conclude that VHD is a potential risk with chronic psychedelic microdosing, but further studies are necessary to better define this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Mantuani
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Liron van Heerden
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Alex Holstein
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
| | - Linda E Klumpers
- Verdient Science LLC, Englewood, CO, USA
- Larner College of Medicine, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Richard Knowles
- Delos Psyche Research Group, Mountain View, CA, USA
- Delos Therapeutics, Mountain View, CA, USA
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Abstract
Hallucinogenic mushrooms have been used in religious and cultural ceremonies for centuries. Of late, psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in hallucinogenic mushrooms, has received increased public interest as a novel drug for treating mood and substance use disorders (SUDs). In addition, in recent years, some states in the United States have legalized psilocybin for medical and recreational use. Given this, clinicians need to understand the potential benefits and risks related to using psilocybin for therapeutic purposes so that they can accurately advise patients. This expert narrative review summarizes the scientific basis and clinical evidence on the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treating psychiatric disorders and SUDs. The results of this review are structured as a more extensive discussion about psilocybin's history, putative mechanisms of action, and recent legislative changes to its legal status. There is modest evidence of psilocybin-assisted therapy for treating depression and anxiety disorders. In addition, early data suggest that psilocybin-assisted therapy may effectively reduce harmful drinking in patients with alcohol use disorders. The evidence further suggests psilocybin, when administered under supervision (psilocybin-assisted therapy), the side effects experienced are mild and transient. The occurrence of severe adverse events following psilocybin administration is uncommon. Still, a recent clinical trial found that individuals in the psilocybin arm had increased suicidal ideations and non-suicidal self-injurious behaviors. Given this, further investigation into the safety and efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy is warranted to determine which patient subgroups are most likely to benefit and which are most likely to experience adverse outcomes related to its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravesh Sharma
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire, WI, USA
- Behavioral Health Research Program, Department of Psychology and Psychiatry Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Quang Anh Nguyen
- Behavioral Health Research Program, Department of Psychology and Psychiatry Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Sadie J Matthews
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire), Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | | | - Douglas B Mathews
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin (Eau Claire), Eau Claire, WI, USA
| | - Christi A Patten
- Behavioral Health Research Program, Department of Psychology and Psychiatry Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Christopher J Hammond
- Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Simonsson O, Carlbring P, Carhart-Harris R, Davis AK, Nutt DJ, Griffiths RR, Erritzoe D, Goldberg SB. Assessing the risk of symptom worsening in psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res 2023; 327:115349. [PMID: 37523886 PMCID: PMC10528683 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
We conducted a meta-analysis using individual participant data from three, two-dose psilocybin trials for depression (N = 102) with the aim of assessing the risk of symptom worsening. Clinically significant symptom worsening occurred for a minority of participants in the psilocybin and escitalopram conditions (∼10%) and for a majority of participants in the waitlist condition (63.6%). Using data from the two trials with control arms, the psilocybin arm showed a lower likelihood of symptom worsening versus waitlist, and no difference in the likelihood of symptom worsening versus escitalopram. The limitation of a relatively small sample size should be addressed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Simonsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Norra Stationsgatan 69, Stockholm 113 64, Sweden; Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
| | - Per Carlbring
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Robin Carhart-Harris
- Neuroscape Psychedelics Division, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States; Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alan K Davis
- Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David J Nutt
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roland R Griffiths
- Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States; Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, United States
| | - David Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simon B Goldberg
- Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
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40
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Thorens G, Penzenstadler L, Seragnoli F, Rothen S, Qusaj V, Zullino D. [Ethics in the practice of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy]. Rev Med Suisse 2023; 19:1508-1512. [PMID: 37610195 DOI: 10.53738/revmed.2023.19.838.1508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
This article proposes 10 points considered essential on the ethics associated with the practice of psychotherapy assisted by psychedelics (PAP) : 1) respect of the legal framework (LStup) of the use of psychotropic drugs ; 2) adequately manage psychedelics (storage, production and safety) ; 3) announce adverse effects to the competent authority ; 4) guarantee a psychotherapeutic follow-up ; 5) guarantee the safety of the patients during the treatment ; 6) establish indications on the basis of scientific evidence ; 7) do not confuse personal recreational use and strict medical use ; 8) avoid proselytizing or bad medical practices ; 9) do not to consider the personal consumption of psychedelics as a competency in care and 10) ensure that access to care is equitable and reasonable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Thorens
- Service d'addictologie, Département de psychiatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 70C rue Grand Pré, 1202 Genève
| | - Louise Penzenstadler
- Service d'addictologie, Département de psychiatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 70C rue Grand Pré, 1202 Genève
| | - Federico Seragnoli
- Psychologues FSP, Service d'Addictologie, Département de psychiatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 70C rue Grand Pré, 1202 Genève
| | - Stéphane Rothen
- Psychologues FSP, Service d'Addictologie, Département de psychiatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 70C rue Grand Pré, 1202 Genève
| | - Visar Qusaj
- Infirmier chef, Service d'addictologie, Département de psychiatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 70C rue Grand Pré, 1202 Genève
| | - Daniele Zullino
- Service d'addictologie, Département de psychiatrie, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 70C rue Grand Pré, 1202 Genève
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Bublitz C, Langlitz N, Repantis D. Control side effects of the psychedelic renaissance. Nature 2023; 620:277. [PMID: 37553462 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-02495-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
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Patient safety in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Australas Psychiatry 2023; 31:570-1. [PMID: 37583105 DOI: 10.1177/10398562231190829g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION There has been increasing interest in the role psilocybin may play in the treatment of depressive disorders. Several clinical trials have shown psilocybin to have efficacy in reducing symptoms of depression. AREASCOVERED We discuss the current understanding of psilocybin's therapeutic mechanism of action and review existing clinical data investigating psilocybin as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of depression. EXPERT OPINION There is still much unknown regarding the risks of psilocybin treatment. When weighing the known risks and benefits of psilocybin treatment against those found in existing standards of care, among patients with depression, patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) may be the most suitable candidates for psilocybin treatment at this time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zofia Kozak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Scott T Aaronson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Institute for Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Sheppard Pratt, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Weiss B, Wingert A, Erritzoe D, Campbell WK. Prevalence and therapeutic impact of adverse life event reexperiencing under ceremonial ayahuasca. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9438. [PMID: 37296197 PMCID: PMC10256717 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36184-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study examined the safety and efficacy of the ceremonial use of ayahuasca in relation to reports of heightened life event reexperiencing under psychedelics. The study examined (1) the prevalence of specific types of adverse life event reexperiencing, (2) characteristics predictive of reexperiencing, (3) the psychological character of reexperiencing, and (4) the impact of reexperiencing on mental health. Participants were recruited from three ayahuasca healing and spiritual centers in South and Central America (N = 33 military veterans, 306 non-veterans) using self-report data at three timepoints (Pre-retreat, Post-retreat, 3-months post-retreat). Reexperiencing adverse life events under ayahuasca was common, with women showing particularly high probability of reexperiencing sexual assault, veterans reexperiencing combat-related trauma, and individuals with a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder exhibiting a substantively higher prevalence of reexperiencing. Reexperiencing was associated with states of cognitive reappraisal, psychological flexibility, and discomfort during ceremonies, and participants who reexperienced adverse life events exhibited greater reductions in trait neuroticism following their ceremonies. Clinical implications of these results for the application of psychedelics to mood and stress disorders are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Weiss
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK.
| | | | - David Erritzoe
- Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Lyes M, Yang KH, Castellanos J, Furnish T. Microdosing psilocybin for chronic pain: a case series. Pain 2023; 164:698-702. [PMID: 36066961 DOI: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Psychedelic serotonergic agonists such as psilocybin have recently been shown to produce sustained benefit in refractory depression, end of life anxiety, and addiction when administered in hallucinogenic doses and coupled with psychotherapy. Although it has been suggested that similar high-dose protocols may help chronic pain conditions, there are few published clinical trials of psychedelics for pain. The use of these agents in subpsychedelic doses for chronic pain management has received even less attention. This case series details the experiences of 3 individuals who have used low-dose psilocybin to manage chronic neuropathic pain. Although the nature and etiology of each patient's pain vary, they share a common experience, including inefficacy of current therapeutics and decreased quality of life. Through self-administration of psilocybin, these patients have achieved robust pain relief with decreased reliance on traditional analgesic medications. Despite varying preparations and uncertain potencies, the analgesic effects for all 3 patients occurred at doses without a psychedelic experience and with minimal cognitive or somatic adverse effects. Furthermore, the efficacy of pain relief and, in some cases, the duration of the effect were magnified when coupled with functional exercise. In addition, in 1 case, repeated dosing seemed to produce increased relief, suggesting a possible long-term plasticity-mediated effect. These commonalities highlight psilocybin's therapeutic potential in the treatment of chronic pain that warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lyes
- Division of Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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Simonsson O, Hendricks PS, Chambers R, Osika W, Goldberg SB. Prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics. J Affect Disord 2023; 326:105-110. [PMID: 36720405 PMCID: PMC9974873 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.01.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have investigated challenging, difficult, or distressing classic psychedelic experiences, but little is known about the prevalence and associations of such experiences. Using nationally representative data of the US adult population (N = 2822), this study examined the prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult, or distressing experiences using classic psychedelics, in a subsample of respondents who reported lifetime classic psychedelic use (n = 613). Of the 613 respondents who reported lifetime classic psychedelic use, the majority of them (59.1 %) had never had a challenging, difficult, or distressing experience using a classic psychedelic, but 8.9 % of respondents reported functional impairment that lasted longer than one day as a result of such experiences. Notably, 2.6 % reported seeking medical, psychiatric, or psychological assistance in the days or weeks following their most challenging, difficult, or distressing classic psychedelic experience. In covariate-adjusted regression models, co-use of lithium, co-use of other mood stabilizers, and six set and setting variables (no preparation, disagreeable physical environment, negative mindset, no psychological support, dose was too large, major life event prior to experience) were associated with the degree of difficulty; and co-use of lithium, co-use of other mood stabilizers, and three set and setting variables (negative mindset, no psychological support, major life event prior to experience) were associated with overall risk of harm. In summary, this study provides insight into the prevalence and associations of challenging, difficult, or distressing classic psychedelic experiences. The findings broadly correspond with findings from previous studies and can inform harm reduction efforts and future experimental research designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Otto Simonsson
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Sociology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Peter S Hendricks
- Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Richard Chambers
- Monash Centre for Consciousness & Contemplative Studies, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Walter Osika
- Center for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simon B Goldberg
- Center for Healthy Minds, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Jones G, Lipson J, Wang E. Examining associations between MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelic use and impairments in social functioning in a U.S. adult sample. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2466. [PMID: 36774449 PMCID: PMC9922292 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29763-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Impairment in social functioning is a common source of morbidity across many mental health disorders, yet there is a dearth of effective and easily implemented interventions to support social functioning. MDMA/ecstasy and classic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, peyote, mescaline) represent two potential treatments for impairments in social functioning, as evidence suggests these compounds may be supportive for alleviating social difficulties. Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2015-2019) (N = 214,505), we used survey-weighted multivariable ordinal and logistic regression to examine the associations between lifetime use of the aforementioned compounds and impairments in social functioning in the past year. Lifetime MDMA/ecstasy use was associated with lowered odds of three of our four social impairment outcomes: difficulty dealing with strangers (aOR 0.92), difficulty participating in social activities (aOR 0.90), and being prevented from participating in social activities (aOR 0.84). Lifetime mescaline use was also associated with lowered odds of difficulty dealing with strangers (aOR 0.85). All other substances either shared no relationship with impairments in social functioning or conferred increased odds of our outcomes. Future experimental studies can assess whether these relationships are causal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grant Jones
- Department of Psychology, Harvard University, 33 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
| | - Joshua Lipson
- Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA
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Ko K, Kopra EI, Cleare AJ, Rucker JJ. Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Affect Disord 2023; 322:194-204. [PMID: 36209780 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2022.09.168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychedelic therapy shows promise for Major Depressive Disorder, especially when treatment-resistant, as well as life-threatening illness distress. The objective of this systematic review, inclusive of meta-analysis, is to examine recent clinical research on the therapeutic effects of classic psychedelics on depressive symptoms. METHODS Fourteen psychedelic therapy studies, utilising psilocybin, ayahuasca, or LSD, were systematically reviewed. For the meta-analysis, standardised mean differences were calculated for seven randomised controlled trials. RESULTS The systematic review indicated significant short- and long-term reduction of depressive symptoms in all conditions studied after administration of psilocybin, ayahuasca, or LSD, with psychological support. In the meta-analysis, symptom reduction was significantly indicated in three timepoints out of four, including 1-day, 1-week, and 3-5 weeks, supporting the results of the systematic review, with the exception of the 6-8 weeks follow-up point which was less conclusive. LIMITATIONS The absence of required data for 2 studies necessitated the less precise use of graphical extraction and imputation. The small sample size in all but one study negatively affected the statistical power. None of the studies had long-term follow-up without also utilising the cross-over method, which did not allow for long-term results to be included in the meta-review. CONCLUSIONS This review indicates an association between psychedelic therapy and significant reduction of depressive symptoms at several time points. However, the small number of studies, and low sample sizes, calls for careful interpretation of results. This suggests the need for more randomised clinical trials of psychedelic therapy, with larger and more diverse samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwonmok Ko
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK.
| | - Emma I Kopra
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Anthony J Cleare
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham BR3 3BX, UK
| | - James J Rucker
- Centre for Affective Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London, London SE5 8AF, UK; South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Beckenham BR3 3BX, UK
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