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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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Copa D, Erritzoe D, Giribaldi B, Nutt D, Carhart-Harris R, Tagliazucchi E. Predicting the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression from baseline fMRI functional connectivity. J Affect Disord 2024; 353:60-69. [PMID: 38423367 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.02.089] [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: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic drug under assessment as a potential therapy for treatment-resistant and major depression. Heterogeneous treatment responses raise interest in predicting the outcome from baseline data. METHODS A machine learning pipeline was implemented to investigate baseline resting-state functional connectivity measured with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as a predictor of symptom severity in psilocybin monotherapy for treatment-resistant depression (16 patients administered two 5 mg capsules followed by 25 mg, separated by one week). Generalizability was tested in a sample of 22 patients who participated in a psilocybin vs. escitalopram trial for moderate-to-severe major depression (two separate doses of 25 mg of psilocybin 3 weeks apart plus 6 weeks of daily placebo vs. two separate doses of 1 mg of psilocybin 3 weeks apart plus 6 weeks of daily oral escitalopram). The analysis was repeated using both samples combined. RESULTS Functional connectivity of visual, default mode and executive networks predicted early symptom improvement, while the salience network predicted responders up to 24 weeks after treatment (accuracy≈0.9). Generalization performance was borderline significant. Consistent results were obtained from the combined sample analysis. Fronto-occipital and fronto-temporal coupling predicted early and late symptom reduction, respectively. LIMITATIONS The number of participants and differences between the two datasets limit the generalizability of the findings, while the lack of a placebo arm limits their specificity. CONCLUSIONS Baseline neurophysiological measurements can predict the outcome of psilocybin treatment for depression. Future research based on larger datasets should strive to assess the generalizability of these predictions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Débora Copa
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ingeniería, Instituto de Bioingeniería, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - David Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bruna Giribaldi
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David Nutt
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Carhart-Harris
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Enzo Tagliazucchi
- Universidad de Buenos Aires, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Física, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; CONICET - Universidad de Buenos Aires, Instituto de Física Interdisciplinaria y Aplicada (INFINA), Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat), Universidad Adolfo Ibañez, Santiago, Chile
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Whelan TP, Daly E, Puts NA, Smith P, Allison C, Baron-Cohen S, Malievskaia E, Murphy DGM, McAlonan GM. The 'PSILAUT' protocol: an experimental medicine study of autistic differences in the function of brain serotonin targets of psilocybin. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:319. [PMID: 38658877 PMCID: PMC11044362 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05768-2] [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: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The underlying neurobiology of the complex autism phenotype remains obscure, although accumulating evidence implicates the serotonin system and especially the 5HT2A receptor. However, previous research has largely relied upon association or correlation studies to link differences in serotonin targets to autism. To directly establish that serotonergic signalling is involved in a candidate brain function our approach is to change it and observe a shift in that function. We will use psilocybin as a pharmacological probe of the serotonin system in vivo. We will directly test the hypothesis that serotonergic targets of psilocybin - principally, but not exclusively, 5HT2A receptor pathways-function differently in autistic and non-autistic adults. METHODS The 'PSILAUT' "shiftability" study is a case-control study autistic and non-autistic adults. How neural responses 'shift' in response to low doses (2 mg and 5 mg) of psilocybin compared to placebo will be examined using multimodal techniques including functional MRI and EEG. Each participant will attend on up to three separate visits with drug or placebo administration in a double-blind and randomized order. RESULTS This study will provide the first direct evidence that the serotonin targets of psilocybin function differently in the autistic and non-autistic brain. We will also examine individual differences in serotonin system function. CONCLUSIONS This work will inform our understanding of the neurobiology of autism as well as decisions about future clinical trials of psilocybin and/or related compounds including stratification approaches. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT05651126.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias P Whelan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- COMPASS Pathfinder Ltd, London, UK
| | - Eileen Daly
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolaas A Puts
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Paula Smith
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carrie Allison
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Declan G M Murphy
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- NIHR-Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Grainne M McAlonan
- Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
- Medical Research Council Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK.
- NIHR-Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
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Norring SA, Spigarelli MG. The Promise of Therapeutic Psilocybin: An Evaluation of the 134 Clinical Trials, 54 Potential Indications, and 0 Marketing Approvals on ClinicalTrials.gov. Drug Des Devel Ther 2024; 18:1143-1151. [PMID: 38618282 PMCID: PMC11016263 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s443177] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Psilocybin, a tryptamine psychedelic, has been touted in the media both historically and recently as a potential game-changing mental health therapeutic. ClinicalTrials.gov has over one hundred and thirty psilocybin clinical trials listed covering the last twenty years. The single most important aspect of any therapeutic is to gain approval for marketing and thus enter the real-world phase of development. A typical new chemical entity progresses from inception to US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in approximately 12 years and seeks approval for a single indication. Methods An observational study was conducted with the available information on the ClinicalTrials.gov site to observe the extent of progress made demonstrating the clinical utility of psilocybin. Results The results showed 134 psilocybin trials typically unblinded studies of 10-20 participants, recruited over years at a single site. Additionally, there have been only three advanced trials (1 Phase 2/3 and 2 Phase 3) submitted, and only in the last two years. Discussion The hundreds of psilocybin clinical trials initiated over the past twenty years comprising a myriad of potential indications may actually be slowing this potential game-changing mental health therapeutic agent's approval and is costing excessive amounts of capital. To fully evaluate the actual potential of psilocybin, purposeful clinical trials need to be designed well, executed efficiently, and analyzed utilizing sequential and statistically valid processes for each potential indication. This will require a change from the current exploratory forays to defined, well-funded, sequential pharmaceutical development practices, including adequate and appropriate blinding of studies, statistical design to determine the number of participants and more importantly, professional expertise in conducting multicenter trials. Unfortunately, these results demonstrate little real progress towards FDA approval of psilocybin and a field with no clear direction forward.
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Sandbrink JD, Johnson K, Gill M, Yaden DB, Savulescu J, Hannikainen IR, Earp BD. Strong Bipartisan Support for Controlled Psilocybin Use as Treatment or Enhancement in a Representative Sample of US Americans: Need for Caution in Public Policy Persists. AJOB Neurosci 2024; 15:82-89. [PMID: 38315212 DOI: 10.1080/21507740.2024.2303154] [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: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
The psychedelic psilocybin has shown promise both as treatment for psychiatric conditions and as a means of improving well-being in healthy individuals. In some jurisdictions (e.g., Oregon, USA), psilocybin use for both purposes is or will soon be allowed and yet, public attitudes toward this shift are understudied. We asked a nationally representative sample of 795 US Americans to evaluate the moral status of psilocybin use in an appropriately licensed setting for either treatment of a psychiatric condition or well-being enhancement. Showing strong bipartisan support, participants rated the individual's decision as morally positive in both contexts. These results can inform effective policy-making decisions around supervised psilocybin use, given robust public attitudes as elicited in the context of an innovative regulatory model. We did not explore attitudes to psilocybin use in unsupervised or non-licensed community or social settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Julian Savulescu
- University of Oxford
- National University of Singapore
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute
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Wong S, Kwan ATH, Teopiz KM, Le GH, Meshkat S, Ho R, d'Andrea G, Cao B, Di Vincenzo JD, Rosenblat JD, McIntyre RS. A comparison between psilocybin and esketamine in treatment-resistant depression using number needed to treat (NNT): A systematic review. J Affect Disord 2024; 350:698-705. [PMID: 38244804 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.01.142] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Inadequate outcomes with monoamine-based treatments in depressive disorders are common and provide the impetus for mechanistically-novel treatments. Esketamine is a proven treatment recently approved for adults with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) while psilocybin is an investigational treatment. Translation of the clinical meaningfulness for these foregoing agents in adults with TRD is required. Herein we evaluate the Number Needed to Treat (NNT) and Harm (NNH) of esketamine and psilocybin in adults with TRD. METHODS We conducted a systematic review of randomized controlled trials, comparing the clinical efficacy of oral psilocybin to the co-commencement of intranasal esketamine with an oral antidepressant in adults with TRD. RESULTS 25 mg psilocybin had a significant reduction in depressive symptoms at 21-days post-dose, the NNT was 5 [95 % CI = 3.1, 18.5]. Psilocybin-induced nausea had a significant NNH = 5. Fixed-dosed esketamine at 56 mg and 84 mg had a significant effect at 28-days post-dose, (NNT of 7 [95 % CI56mg = 3.5, 46.7], [95 % CI84mg = 3.6, 142.2]). Esketamine-induced headache, nausea, dizziness, and dissociation had NNHs <10. LIMITATIONS The preliminary results may only reflect a small portion of the patient population. These results require replication and longer term studies investigating maintenance therapy. CONCLUSION Relatively few pharmacologic agents are proven safe and effective in adults with TRD. NNT estimates for investigational psilocybin and esketamine in TRD indicate clinical meaningfulness. The NNH profile for both aforementioned agents is clinically acceptable. Our results underscore the clinical relevance of these treatment options in adults with TRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Wong
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela T H Kwan
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kayla M Teopiz
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Gia Han Le
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shakila Meshkat
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - 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
| | - Giacomo d'Andrea
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University "G. d'Annunzio", Chieti, Italy
| | - Bing Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality, Faculty of Psychology, Ministry of Education, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Joshua D Di Vincenzo
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Joshua D Rosenblat
- Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Beaussant Y, Tarbi E, Nigam K, Miner S, Sager Z, Sanders JJ, Ljuslin M, Guérin B, Thambi P, Tulsky JA, Agrawal M. Acceptability of psilocybin-assisted group therapy in patients with cancer and major depressive disorder: Qualitative analysis. Cancer 2024; 130:1147-1157. [PMID: 38105653 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study explored the acceptability of psilocybin-assisted group therapy from the perspective of patients with cancer and depression who participated in a clinical trial assessing the safety and efficacy of this novel intervention. METHODS Guided by the conceptual framework of acceptability, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with participants of the psilocybin trial. Data were analyzed using template and thematic analyses. RESULTS Participants' (n = 28) perspectives on the acceptability of the group and simultaneous sessions was generally positive, both in terms of safety and efficacy: first, the groups contributed to increase participants' sense of safety and preparedness as they were engaging in the therapy; and second, the groups fostered a sense of connection and of belonging, which served to enrich and deepen the meaning of participants' experience, ultimately opening a dimension of self-transcendence and compassion. Other subthemes related to factors influencing the acceptability of the group approach included: 1) the importance of the therapeutic framework, 2) the complementary value of individual sessions, 3) disruptive factors related to the group and/or simultaneous setting, and 4) opportunities and challenges related to group size and how to structure interactions. CONCLUSIONS This study enhances understanding of what promotes acceptability of the psilocybin-assisted therapy group model for the treatment of MDD in cancer patients. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY We conducted exit interviews with participants of a phase 2 trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) conducted in a community cancer center, to assess the acceptability of a novel psilocybin delivery model combining simultaneous individual therapy and group sessions. Our findings support the acceptability of this intervention and suggest that in addition to being feasible, it might also enhance participants' perceived safety and efficacy compared to uniquely individual or group delivery models of PAT. Our analysis highlights critical factors conditioning acceptability and suggests new ways PAT may be scaled and integrated into cancer care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvan Beaussant
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elise Tarbi
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Nursing, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, USA
| | - Kabir Nigam
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Skye Miner
- Department of Medical Humanities and Bioethics, College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Zachary Sager
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Justin J Sanders
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Ljuslin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Palliative Medicine Division, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Guérin
- Department of Philosophy, University of Franche Comté, Besançon, France
| | - Paul Thambi
- Sunstone Therapies, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - James A Tulsky
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Steward T. Endocrinology-informed neuroimaging in eating disorders: GLP1, orexins, and psilocybin. Trends Mol Med 2024; 30:321-323. [PMID: 38123380 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2023.12.001] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The neurobiology of eating disorders [EDs; anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED)] remains poorly understood. Here, I describe how neuroimaging, accompanied by peripheral endocrine measures, can provide insights into the neurobiological drivers of eating disorders. Orexins/hypocretins, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R) agonists, and psilocybin are highlighted as avenues for investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Steward
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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Sinha JK, Trisal A, Ghosh S, Gupta S, Singh KK, Han SS, Mahapatra M, Abomughaid MM, Abomughayedh AM, Almutary AG, Iqbal D, Bhaskar R, Mishra PC, Jha SK, Jha NK, Singh AK. Psychedelics for alzheimer's disease-related dementia: Unveiling therapeutic possibilities and pathways. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 96:102211. [PMID: 38307424 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102211] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelics have traditionally been used for spiritual and recreational purposes, but recent developments in psychotherapy have highlighted their potential as therapeutic agents. These compounds, which act as potent 5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT) agonists, have been recognized for their ability to enhance neural plasticity through the activation of the serotoninergic and glutamatergic systems. However, the implications of these findings for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, particularly dementia, have not been fully explored. In recent years, studies have revealed the modulatory and beneficial effects of psychedelics in the context of dementia, specifically Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related dementia, which lacks a definitive cure. Psychedelics such as N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and Psilocybin have shown potential in mitigating the effects of this debilitating disease. These compounds not only target neurotransmitter imbalances but also act at the molecular level to modulate signalling pathways in AD, including the brain-derived neurotrophic factor signalling pathway and the subsequent activation of mammalian target of rapamycin and other autophagy regulators. Therefore, the controlled and dose-dependent administration of psychedelics represents a novel therapeutic intervention worth exploring and considering for the development of drugs for the treatment of AD-related dementia. In this article, we critically examined the literature that sheds light on the therapeutic possibilities and pathways of psychedelics for AD-related dementia. While this emerging field of research holds great promise, further studies are necessary to elucidate the long-term safety, efficacy, and optimal treatment protocols. Ultimately, the integration of psychedelics into the current treatment paradigm may provide a transformative approach for addressing the unmet needs of individuals living with AD-related dementia and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anchal Trisal
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi 110025, India
| | - Shampa Ghosh
- GloNeuro, Sector 107, Vishwakarma Road, Noida 201301, India
| | - Saurabh Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, GLA University, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Krishna Kumar Singh
- Symbiosis Centre for Information Technology (SCIT), Rajiv Gandhi InfoTech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411057, India
| | - Sung Soo Han
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeonsang 38541, the Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan 38541, the Republic of Korea
| | | | - Mosleh Mohammad Abomughaid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Bisha, Bisha 61922, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali M Abomughayedh
- Pharmacy Department, Aseer Central Hospital, Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmajeed G Almutary
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - Danish Iqbal
- Department of Health Information Management, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Buraydah Private Colleges, Buraydah 51418, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rakesh Bhaskar
- School of Chemical Engineering, Yeungnam University, Gyeonsang 38541, the Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Cell Culture, Yeungnam University, 280 Daehak-Ro, Gyeongsan 38541, the Republic of Korea.
| | - Prabhu Chandra Mishra
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida, India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Zoology, Kalindi College, University of Delhi, 110008, India.
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura 140401, Punjab, India; School of Bioengineering & Biosciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara 144411, India; Department of Biotechnology Engineering and Food Technology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India.
| | - Abhishek Kumar Singh
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka 576104, India.
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10
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Thrul J, Kozak Z, Carducci MA, Garcia-Romeu A, Yaden DB. Innovations in group-based psilocybin-assisted therapy of major depression in patients with cancer. Cancer 2024; 130:1028-1030. [PMID: 38105654 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35127] [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] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Several recent studies have investigated psilocybin as a novel therapeutic compound for the treatment of existential distress in patients with cancer, demonstrating persistent, positive effects on mood. This editorial discusses two articles in the current issue of Cancer that report findings of a group‐based psilocybin‐assisted intervention for treatment of depression in patients diagnosed with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Thrul
- Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Centre for Alcohol Policy Research, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zofia Kozak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael A Carducci
- Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Albert Garcia-Romeu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - David B Yaden
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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11
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Laabi S, LeMmon C, Vogel C, Chacon M, Jimenez VM. Deciphering psilocybin: Cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory effects, and mechanistic insights. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111753. [PMID: 38401463 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111753] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
A decade of clinical research has indicated psilocybin's effectiveness in treating various neuropsychiatric disorders, such as depression and substance abuse. The correlation between increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms, along with the known anti-inflammatory potential of some psychedelics, suggests an immunomodulatory role for psilocybin. This study aims to understand the mechanism of action of psilocybin by investigating the cytotoxic and immunomodulatory effects of psilocybin and psilocin on both resting and LPS-activated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. The study evaluated the cytotoxicity of psilocybin and psilocin using an LDH assay across various doses and assessed their impact on cytokine production in RAW 264.7 cells, measuring cytokine expression via ELISA. Different doses, including those above and below the LC50, were used in both pre-treatment and post-treatment approaches. The LDH assay revealed that psilocybin is almost twice as cytotoxic as psilocin, with an LC50 of 12 ng/ml and 28 ng/ml, respectively. In resting macrophages, both psilocybin and psilocin triggered significant release of TNF- α after 4 h, with the lowest doses inducing higher levels of the cytokine than the highest doses. IL-10 expression in resting cells was only triggered by the highest dose of psilocin in the 4-hour incubation group. In LPS-stimulated cells, psilocin reduced TNF- α levels more than psilocybin in pre-treatment and post-treatment, with no significant effects on IL-10 in pre-treatment. Psilocin, but not psilocybin, induced a significant increase of IL-10 in post-treatment, leading to the conclusion that psilocin, but not psilocybin, exerts anti-inflammatory effects on classically activated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Laabi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Claire LeMmon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Callie Vogel
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Mariana Chacon
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States
| | - Victor M Jimenez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, 2162 S 180 E, Provo, UT 84606, United States; Department of Pharmacy, Roseman University of Health Sciences, 10920 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095, United States.
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12
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Levin AW, Lancelotta R, Sepeda ND, Gukasyan N, Nayak S, Wagener TL, Barrett FS, Griffiths RR, Davis AK. The therapeutic alliance between study participants and intervention facilitators is associated with acute effects and clinical outcomes in a psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for major depressive disorder. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0300501. [PMID: 38483940 PMCID: PMC10939230 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300501] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
We examined if the therapeutic alliance between study participants and intervention facilitators in a psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) trial changed over time and whether there were relationships between alliance, acute psilocybin experiences, and depression outcomes. In a randomized, waiting list-controlled clinical trial for major depressive disorder in adults (N = 24), participants were randomized to an immediate (N = 13) or delayed (N = 11) condition with two oral doses of psilocybin (20mg/70kg and 30mg/70kg). Ratings of therapeutic alliance significantly increased from the final preparation session to one-week post-intervention (p = .03, d = .43). A stronger total alliance at the final preparation session predicted depression scores at 4 weeks (r = -.65, p = .002), 6 months (r = -.47, p = .036), and 12 months (r = -.54, p = .014) post-intervention. A stronger total alliance in the final preparation session was correlated with higher peak ratings of mystical experiences (r = .49, p = .027) and psychological insight (r = .52, p = .040), and peak ratings of mystical experience and psychological insight were correlated with depression scores at 4 weeks (r = -.45, p = .030 for mystical; r = -.75, p < .001 for insight). Stronger total alliance one week after the final psilocybin session predicted depression scores at 4 weeks (r = -.85, p < .001), 3 months (r = -.52, p = .010), 6 months (r = -.77, p < .001), and 12 months (r = -.61, p = .001) post-intervention. These findings highlight the importance of the therapeutic relationship in PAT. Future research should explore therapist and participant characteristics which maximize the therapeutic alliance and evaluate its relationship to treatment outcomes. Trial registration: Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03181529. https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03181529.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam W. Levin
- The Ohio State University, Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Rafaelle Lancelotta
- The Ohio State University, Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Nathan D. Sepeda
- The Ohio State University, Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Natalie Gukasyan
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sandeep Nayak
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Theodore L. Wagener
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Frederick S. Barrett
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Roland R. Griffiths
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Alan K. Davis
- The Ohio State University, Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Johns Hopkins University, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
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13
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Aaronson ST, Kozak Z. New evidence for flexible psilocybin dosing in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Med 2024; 5:187-189. [PMID: 38359837 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2024.01.014] [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: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Psilocybin has demonstrated efficacy for treating depression; however, psychiatrically complex patients have been excluded from trials. A recent clinical trial by Rosenblat at al.1 demonstrates feasibility of a flexible dosing schedule of psilocybin in individuals with severely treatment-resistant depression (TRD), including those with co-morbid conditions or bipolar II disorder (BPII), potentially expanding the current treatment paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott T Aaronson
- Institute for Advanced Diagnosis and Therapeutics, Sheppard Pratt Hospital System, Baltimore, MD, USA; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Zofia Kozak
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Baltimore, MD, USA
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14
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Sekssaoui M, Bockaert J, Marin P, Bécamel C. Antidepressant-like effects of psychedelics in a chronic despair mouse model: is the 5-HT 2A receptor the unique player? Neuropsychopharmacology 2024; 49:747-756. [PMID: 38212441 PMCID: PMC10876623 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-024-01794-6] [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: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most disabling psychiatric disorders in the world. First-line treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) still have many limitations, including a resistance to treatment in 30% of patients and a delayed clinical benefit that is observed only after several weeks of treatment. Increasing clinical evidence indicates that the acute administration of psychedelic agonists of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2AR), such as psilocybin, to patients with MDD induce fast antidepressant effects, which persist up to five weeks after the treatment. However, the involvement of the 5-HT2AR in these antidepressant effects remains controversial. Furthermore, whether the hallucinogenic properties of 5-HT2AR agonists are mandatory to their antidepressant activity is still an open question. Here, we addressed these issues by investigating the effect of two psychedelics of different chemical families, DOI and psilocybin, and a non-hallucinogenic 5-HT2AR agonist, lisuride, in a chronic despair mouse model exhibiting a robust depressive-like phenotype. We show that a single injection of each drug to wild type mice induces anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in the novelty-suppressed feeding, sucrose preference and forced swim tests, which last up to 15 days. DOI and lisuride administration did not produce antidepressant-like effects in 5-HT2A-/- mice, whereas psilocybin was still effective. Moreover, neither 5-HT1AR blockade nor dopamine D1 or D2 receptor blockade affected the antidepressant-like effects of psilocybin in 5-HT2A-/- mice. Collectively, these findings indicate that 5-HT2AR agonists can produce antidepressant-like effects independently of hallucinogenic properties through mechanisms involving or not involving the receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Sekssaoui
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Joël Bockaert
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Philippe Marin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, F-34094, Montpellier, France
| | - Carine Bécamel
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, F-34094, Montpellier, France.
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15
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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-Historical Perspective and Overview. Am J Ther 2024; 31:e97-e103. [PMID: 38518266 DOI: 10.1097/mjt.0000000000001727] [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 Psychedelic drugs have recently emerged as plausibly effective pharmacological agents for the management of depression, anxiety, and other neuropsychiatric conditions, including those that are treatment-resistent. The latter half of the 20th century marked a revolution in the treatment of mental illnesses, exemplified by the introduction of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other pharmacological agents. Nevertheless, mental illness remains a major public health crisis, affecting nearly one billion individuals worldwide. AREAS OF UNCERTAINTY Because of the decades-long status of several psychedelics as Schedule I drugs, there have not been very many large, double-blind, randomized controlled trials of psychedelics. Owing to small sample sizes, there may be rare yet serious adverse events that have not been reported in the clinical trials thus far. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES Esketamine, a dissociative hallucinogen drug, was approved for the management of major depressive disorder by the Food and Drug Administration in 2019. As of January 2024, two Phase III trials of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic drug that inhibits the serotonin transporter, have been completed; the results indicate that MDMA is superior to existing pharmacological treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder. A phase III trial of psilocybin, a naturally occurring serotonin receptor partial agonist, is currently underway. The following series details the current state of research in psychedelic therapeutics, including lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N-N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and ayahuasca, psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, and ketamine. LIMITATIONS While initial clinical trials of psychedelics for depression were very promising, trials of psilocybin with larger sample sizes (100+ participants) suggest that its remission rate is 25%-29%. This is about the same as the remission rate of antidepressants, which is roughly 30% according to the landmark STAR*D trial. CONCLUSIONS Psychedelic drugs and structural derivatives offer a great deal of promise for the management of a wide range of psychiatric morbidities. It is imperative that clinicians become familiar with these novel agents and learn how to integrate psychedelic therapy with the rest of their care through open communication and referral.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burton J Tabaac
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, 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
- University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Kirsten Cherian
- Department of Psychiatry and 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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16
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Pagni BA, Petridis PD, Podrebarac SK, Grinband J, Claus ED, Bogenschutz MP. Psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder: an fMRI pilot study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3159. [PMID: 38326432 PMCID: PMC10850478 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52967-8] [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: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
This pilot study investigated psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Participants were recruited from a phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) for the treatment of AUD (NCT02061293). Eleven adult patients completed task-based blood oxygen dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) approximately 3 days before and 2 days after receiving 25 mg of psilocybin (n = 5) or 50 mg of diphenhydramine (n = 6). Visual alcohol and emotionally valanced (positive, negative, or neutral) stimuli were presented in block design. Across both alcohol and emotional cues, psilocybin increased activity in the medial and lateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) and left caudate, and decreased activity in the insular, motor, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortices, and cerebellum. Unique to negative cues, psilocybin increased supramarginal gyrus activity; unique to positive cues, psilocybin increased right hippocampus activity and decreased left hippocampus activity. Greater PFC and caudate engagement and concomitant insula, motor, and cerebellar disengagement suggests enhanced goal-directed action, improved emotional regulation, and diminished craving. The robust changes in brain activity observed in this pilot study warrant larger neuroimaging studies to elucidate neural mechanisms of PAT.Trial registration: NCT02061293.
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Affiliation(s)
- B A Pagni
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - P D Petridis
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - S K Podrebarac
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - J Grinband
- Departments of Psychiatry and Radiology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - E D Claus
- Department of Biobehavioral Health, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - M P Bogenschutz
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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17
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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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18
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Breeksema JJ, Niemeijer A, Krediet E, Karsten T, Kamphuis J, Vermetten E, van den Brink W, Schoevers R. Patient perspectives and experiences with psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: a qualitative study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2929. [PMID: 38316896 PMCID: PMC10844281 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53188-9] [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: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Psilocybin is the most researched classic psychedelic for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). While optimizing set and setting are considered essential for efficacy and safety, patient perspectives on these aspects have rarely been investigated. To address this knowledge gap, the current paper explored the experiences of 11 TRD patients (8 women, 3 men) participating in a double-blind randomized clinical trial with a single session of oral (1, 10 or 25 mg) psilocybin treatment. After qualitative analysis, three major themes were identified: (1) challenges with trust-building and expectation management; (2) navigating the experience; and (3) the need for a more comprehensive treatment. Subthemes of the first theme include a general distrust in mental healthcare, trust in study therapists, limited time for preparation, and managing expectations. The second theme included the following subthemes: trusting to surrender, profound and overwhelming experiences, and music as a guide. The third theme addressed a desire for multiple psilocybin sessions, and challenges with sensemaking. Patients' perspectives provided important insights into potential optimization of psilocybin treatment of TRD, including individualized preparation, investment in trust-building, offering additional psilocybin sessions, providing access to sustained (psycho)therapy with trusted therapists, and personalizing treatment approaches, which may also enhance real-world adaption of these treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joost J Breeksema
- Department of Psychiatry, Research School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (BCN), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center of Psychiatry, Postbus 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands.
- OPEN Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Alistair Niemeijer
- Department of Care Ethics, University of Humanistic Studies, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Krediet
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tilman Karsten
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeanine Kamphuis
- Department of Psychiatry, Research School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (BCN), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center of Psychiatry, Postbus 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Eric Vermetten
- Department of Psychiatry, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wim van den Brink
- Academic Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience Research, Program Compulsivity, Impulsivity and Attention, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Schoevers
- Department of Psychiatry, Research School of Behavioural and Cognitive Neurosciences (BCN), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, University Center of Psychiatry, Postbus 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands
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19
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Brody DL, Siddiqi SH. An ancient psychedelic for traumatic brain injury. Nat Med 2024; 30:342-343. [PMID: 38287167 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02759-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- David L Brody
- Department of Neurology, Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Shan H Siddiqi
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women's Hospital (BWH), BWH Center for Brain/Mind Medicine, BWH Center for Brain Circuit Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
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20
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Videira NB, Nair V, Paquet V, Calhoun D. The changing outlook of psychedelic drugs: The importance of risk assessment and occupational exposure limits. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:216-234. [PMID: 37646119 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4533] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), are currently being investigated for the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. Clinical trials with psilocybin and LSD have shown improvement in emotional and psychological scores. Although these drugs are reported to be safe in a controlled environment (such as clinical trials), exposure to low doses of these drugs can result in psychedelic effects, and therefore, occupational safety is an important consideration to prevent adverse effects in the workplace from low daily exposure. This article will discuss the factors involved in the derivation of occupational exposure limits (OELs) and risk assessment of these psychedelic drugs. To support the OEL derivations of psychedelic drugs, information regarding their mechanism of action, adverse effect profiles, pharmacokinetics, clinical effects, and nonclinical toxicity were considered. Additionally, psilocybin and LSD, which are the most extensively researched psychedelic substances, are employed as illustrative examples in case studies. The OELs derived for psilocybin and for LSD are 0.05 and 0.002 μg/m3 , respectively, which indicates that these are highly hazardous compounds, and it is important to take into account suitable safety measures and risk-management strategies in order to minimize workplace exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Valérie Paquet
- formerly Affygility Solutions, Broomfield, Colorado, USA
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Plourde L, Chang SL, Farzin H, Gagnon P, Hébert J, Foxman R, Deschamps P, Provost F, Masse-Grenier M, Stephan JF, Cheung K, Joly Y, Fallu JS, Dorval M. Social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life: A population-based survey. Palliat Med 2024; 38:272-278. [PMID: 38253521 PMCID: PMC10865753 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231222430] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Internationally, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. However, the social acceptability of this therapy is not yet well known. AIM This study assesses the social acceptability of the medical use of psilocybin to treat existential distress at the end of life. DESIGN An online survey was conducted in Canada between November 23 and December 4, 2022. The questionnaire included items pertaining to perceptions, attitudes and concerns towards psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. PARTICIPANTS The sample (n = 2800) was stratified by province, age and sex. Participants were adults from four provinces of Canada: Québec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia. RESULTS Overall, 79.3% considered psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for a patient suffering from existential distress at the end of life, 84.8% agreed that the public health system should cover the costs of the intervention and 63.3% would welcome the legalisation of psilocybin for medical purposes. Previous psilocybin use (p < 0.0001, for all dependent variables), exposure to palliative care (p < 0.05, for all dependent variables) and a progressive political orientation (p < 0.05, for all dependent variables) were associated with more favourable attitudes towards psilocybin-assisted therapy at the end of life. CONCLUSION The social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life is rather high in Canada. These findings may contribute to efforts to mobilise resources and improve access to this emerging therapy in palliative and end of life care settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Plourde
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Oncology Division, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Sue-Ling Chang
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Oncology Division, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Houman Farzin
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre Gagnon
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Oncology Division, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Johanne Hébert
- Department of Health Sciences, UQAR, Lévis, Rimouski, QC, Canada
- CISSS of Chaudière-Appalaches Research Center, Lévis, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - François Provost
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Oncology Division, Québec City, QC, Canada
- School of Psychology, Université Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Marianne Masse-Grenier
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Oncology Division, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | | | | | - Yann Joly
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre of Genomics and Policy, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Fallu
- School of Psychoeducation, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Center for Public Health Research (CReSP), Montréal, QC, Canada
- Institut universitaire sur les dépendances (IUD), Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Dorval
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center, Oncology Division, Québec City, QC, Canada
- CISSS of Chaudière-Appalaches Research Center, Lévis, QC, Canada
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22
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Reed F, Foldi CJ. Do the therapeutic effects of psilocybin involve actions in the gut? Trends Pharmacol Sci 2024; 45:107-117. [PMID: 38216431 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2023.12.007] [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: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
The psychedelic compound psilocybin has recently emerged as a therapeutic intervention for various mental health conditions. Psilocybin is a potent agonist of serotonin (5-HT) receptors (5-HTRs), which are expressed in the brain and throughout peripheral tissues, with particularly high expression in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. However, no studies have investigated the possibility that peripheral actions of psilocybin may contribute to improvements in mental health outcomes. This is despite strong evidence for disturbed gut-brain signalling in conditions in which psilocybin is being tested clinically. In this Opinion, we highlight the likely actions of psychedelics in the gut and provide initial support for the premise that peripheral actions may be involved in rapid and long-term therapeutic effects. A greater understanding of all sites and modes of action will guide more targeted approaches to drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia Reed
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, 26 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Centre (AEDRTC), Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Claire J Foldi
- Department of Physiology, Monash University, 26 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia; Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 23 Innovation Walk, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
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23
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Psychedelic psilocybin-assisted therapy reduces depressive symptoms in adults with cancer and depression. Saudi Med J 2024; 45:214-5. [PMID: 38309742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
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24
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Agin-Liebes G, Nielson EM, Zingman M, Kim K, Haas A, Owens LT, Rogers U, Bogenschutz M. Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. Psychol Addict Behav 2024; 38:101-113. [PMID: 37276086 PMCID: PMC10696130 DOI: 10.1037/adb0000935] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The primary aim of this qualitative study was to delineate psychological mechanisms of change in the first randomized controlled trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD). Theories regarding psychological processes involved in psychedelic therapy remain underdeveloped. METHOD Participants (N = 13) mostly identified as non-Hispanic and White, with approximately equal proportions of cisgender men and women. Participants engaged in semistructured interviews about their subjective experiences in the study. Questions probed the nature of participants' drinking before and after the study as well as coping patterns in response to strong emotions, stress, and cravings for alcohol. Verbatim transcripts were coded using Dedoose software, and content was analyzed with interpretive phenomenological analysis. RESULTS Participants reported that the psilocybin treatment helped them process emotions related to painful past events and helped promote states of self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness. The acute states during the psilocybin sessions were described as laying the foundation for developing more self-compassionate regulation of negative affect. Participants also described newfound feelings of belonging and an improved quality of relationships following the treatment. CONCLUSION Our results support the assertion that psilocybin increases the malleability of self-related processing, and diminishes shame-based and self-critical thought patterns while improving affect regulation and reducing alcohol cravings. These findings suggest that psychosocial treatments that integrate self-compassion training with psychedelic therapy may serve as a useful tool for enhancing psychological outcomes in the treatment of AUD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Agin-Liebes
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco CA, USA
- Neuroscape, Sandler Neurosciences Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco CA, USA
| | | | - Michael Zingman
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Katherine Kim
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Alexandra Haas
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco CA, USA
| | - Lindsey T. Owens
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ursula Rogers
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michael Bogenschutz
- NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA
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26
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Vanderijst L, Hever F, Buot A, Dauré C, Benoit J, Hanak C, Veeser J, Morgiève M, Campanella S, Kornreich C, Mallet L, Leys C, Noël X. Psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe alcohol use disorder: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial. BMC Psychiatry 2024; 24:77. [PMID: 38279085 PMCID: PMC10821548 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05502-y] [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: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A significant number of individuals with alcohol use disorder remain unresponsive to currently available treatments, which calls for the development of new alternatives. In parallel, psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder has recently yielded promising preliminary results. Building on extant findings, the proposed study is set to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary clinical efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy when incorporated as an auxiliary intervention during inpatient rehabilitation for severe alcohol use disorder. Moreover, it intends to pinpoint the modifications in the two core neurocognitive systems underscored by dual-process models of addiction. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial, 62 participants aged 21-64 years will be enrolled to undergo psilocybin-assisted therapy as part of a 4-week inpatient rehabilitation for severe alcohol use disorder. The experimental group will receive a high dose of psilocybin (30 mg), whereas the control group will receive an active placebo dose of psilocybin (5 mg), both within the context of a brief standardized psychotherapeutic intervention drawing from key elements of acceptance and commitment therapy. The primary clinical outcome is the between-group difference regarding the change in percentage of heavy drinking days from baseline to four weeks posthospital discharge, while safety and feasibility metrics will also be reported as primary outcomes. Key secondary assessments include between-group differences in terms of changes in (1) drinking behavior parameters up to six months posthospital discharge, (2) symptoms of depression, anxiety, trauma, and global functioning, (3) neuroplasticity and key neurocognitive mechanisms associated with addiction, and (4) psychological processes and alcohol-related parameters. DISCUSSION The discussion outlines issues that might arise from our design. TRIAL REGISTRATION EudraCT 2022-002369-14 and NCT06160232.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Vanderijst
- Laboratory of Medical Psychology and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
- Research Center for the Promotion of Health, Prosocial Behavior and Wellbeing, Faculty of Psychology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Felix Hever
- Laboratory of Medical Psychology and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Psychiatric Institute, University Hospital Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Anne Buot
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, Inserm, Paris, France
| | - Charles Dauré
- Université de Paris, INSERM UMRS1144, 4 avenue de l'Observatoire, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Janaïna Benoit
- Psychiatric Institute, University Hospital Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Catherine Hanak
- Psychiatric Institute, University Hospital Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Johannes Veeser
- Psychiatric Institute, University Hospital Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Margot Morgiève
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, Cermes3, F-75006, Paris, France
| | - Salvatore Campanella
- Laboratory of Medical Psychology and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles Kornreich
- Laboratory of Medical Psychology and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
- Psychiatric Institute, University Hospital Brugmann, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Luc Mallet
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, Inserm, Paris, France
- Département Médical-Universitaire de Psychiatrie et d'Addictologie, Univ Paris-Est Créteil, DMU IMPACT, Hôpitaux Universitaires Henri Mondor - Albert Chenevier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatry, Global Health Institute, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christophe Leys
- Research Center for the Promotion of Health, Prosocial Behavior and Wellbeing, Faculty of Psychology, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Xavier Noël
- Laboratory of Medical Psychology and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium
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27
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Raithatha S, Hagel JM, Matinkhoo K, Yu L, Press D, Cook SG, Sharma G, Dhananjaya D, Jensen G, Lee JB, Cai C, Gallant J, Bains J, Tucker JE, Facchini PJ. Novel Psilocin Prodrugs with Altered Pharmacological Properties as Candidate Therapies for Treatment-Resistant Anxiety Disorders. J Med Chem 2024; 67:1024-1043. [PMID: 37983270 PMCID: PMC10823477 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01225] [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: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The psychedelic prodrug psilocybin has shown therapeutic benefits for the treatment of numerous psychiatric conditions. Despite positive clinical end points targeting depression and anxiety, concerns regarding the duration of the psychedelic experience produced by psilocybin, associated with enduring systemic exposure to the active metabolite psilocin, pose a barrier to its therapeutic application. Our objective was to create a novel prodrug of psilocin with similar therapeutic benefits but a reduced duration of psychedelic effects compared with psilocybin. Here, we report the synthesis and functional screening of 28 new chemical entities. Our strategy was to introduce a diversity of cleavable groups at the 4-hydroxy position of the core indole moiety to modulate metabolic processing. We identified several novel prodrugs of psilocin with altered pharmacokinetic profiles and reduced pharmacological exposure compared with psilocybin. These candidate prodrugs have the potential to maintain the long-term benefits of psilocybin therapy while attenuating the duration of psychedelic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jillian M. Hagel
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Kaveh Matinkhoo
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Lisa Yu
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - David Press
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Sarah G. Cook
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Govinda Sharma
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - D. Dhananjaya
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Glynnis Jensen
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jessica B. Lee
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Charlie Cai
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jonathan Gallant
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
| | - Jaideep Bains
- Hotchkiss
Brain Institute and Department of Physiology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Joseph E. Tucker
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Peter J. Facchini
- Enveric
Biosciences, Inc., 3655
36 Street NW, Calgary, Alberta T2L 1Y8, Canada
- Department
of Biological Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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28
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitch Earleywine
- University at Albany, SUNY, New York (Earleywine); Center for Compassionate Care, Hamilton, Ont., Canada (De Leo, Bhayana); Sapience Therapy, Greenfield, Mass. (Rajanna, Scott)
| | - Joseph De Leo
- University at Albany, SUNY, New York (Earleywine); Center for Compassionate Care, Hamilton, Ont., Canada (De Leo, Bhayana); Sapience Therapy, Greenfield, Mass. (Rajanna, Scott)
| | - Dinesh Bhayana
- University at Albany, SUNY, New York (Earleywine); Center for Compassionate Care, Hamilton, Ont., Canada (De Leo, Bhayana); Sapience Therapy, Greenfield, Mass. (Rajanna, Scott)
| | - Bhavya Rajanna
- University at Albany, SUNY, New York (Earleywine); Center for Compassionate Care, Hamilton, Ont., Canada (De Leo, Bhayana); Sapience Therapy, Greenfield, Mass. (Rajanna, Scott)
| | - Karen Scott
- University at Albany, SUNY, New York (Earleywine); Center for Compassionate Care, Hamilton, Ont., Canada (De Leo, Bhayana); Sapience Therapy, Greenfield, Mass. (Rajanna, Scott)
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29
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Nogueira GN, Vasconcelos MMA, Souza FGM, Bisol LW. Is there credible evidence to assert psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression? Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2024; 78:70. [PMID: 38128153 DOI: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fabio G Matos Souza
- Psychiatric Service - University Hospital Walter Cantidio, Brazil; Clinical Medicine Department - Federal University of Ceará, Brazil
| | - Luisa W Bisol
- Psychiatric Service - University Hospital Walter Cantidio, Brazil; Clinical Medicine Department - Federal University of Ceará, Brazil.
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O'Donnell KC, Anderson BT, Barrett FS, Bogenschutz MP, Grob CS, Hendricks PS, Kelmendi B, Nayak SM, Nicholas CR, Paleos CA, Stauffer CS, Gukasyan N. Misinterpretations and Omissions: A Critical Response to Goodwin and Colleagues' Commentary on Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy. Am J Psychiatry 2024; 181:74-75. [PMID: 38161295 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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)
- Kelley C O'Donnell
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Brian T Anderson
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Frederick S Barrett
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Michael P Bogenschutz
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Charles S Grob
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Peter S Hendricks
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Benjamin Kelmendi
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Sandeep M Nayak
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Christopher R Nicholas
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Casey A Paleos
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Christopher S Stauffer
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
| | - Natalie Gukasyan
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine, New York (O'Donnell, Bogenschutz); Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics, Berkeley, Calif. (Anderson); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore (Barrett, Nayak); Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Barrett); Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences and Pediatrics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles (Grob); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Ala. (Hendricks); Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn. (Kelmendi); Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin Transdisciplinary Center for Research in Psychoactive Substances, Madison, Wisc. (Nicholas); Nautilus Sanctuary, New York (Paleos); Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Ore. (Stauffer); Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York (Gukasyan)
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy M Goodwin
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
| | - Ekaterina Malievskaia
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
| | - Gregory A Fonzo
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
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Hovmand OR, Poulsen ED, Arnfred S. Assessment of the acute subjective psychedelic experience: A review of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical research on classical psychedelics. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:19-32. [PMID: 37969069 PMCID: PMC10851631 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231200019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The classical psychedelics psilocybin, peyote, ayahuasca/ N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide can temporarily produce altered states of consciousness, characterized by changes in sensory perception, thought, mood, and the sense of self-reality and meaning. It is important to have reliable instruments for quantifying these altered states in trials, due to a plausible link between the acute subjective experience and treatment outcome. METHODS We conducted a review of outcome measures applied in research on classical psychedelics to assess one or more dimensions of the acute subjective psychedelic experience. Three relevant databases were searched electronically. Two reviewers independently conducted article selection and data extraction regarding the instruments, dimensions, geography, population, and psychedelic substance investigated in the included studies. We identified the five most utilized instruments for the most recent 6 years, as well as the five most utilized instruments for each psychedelic. RESULTS We included 93 papers, which reported on 93 unique trials and utilized 17 different rating scales. Of these, the most utilized were the Five-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness Questionnaire, visual analog or Likert scales specially developed for the trials, the Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the States of Consciousness Questionnaire, and the Abnormer Psychischer Zustand. DISCUSSION Considerable variability was found in the instruments utilized in clinical trials on classical psychedelics. We advise and encourage the development of a core outcome set for psychedelic research to enable altered state comparisons across compounds, participants, and settings. We further advise that instruments be designed to assess the "setting" of a psychedelic experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Rumle Hovmand
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand Mental Health Service, Slagelse, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Psychiatry South, Region Zealand Mental Health Service, Vordingborg, Denmark
| | - Emil Deleuran Poulsen
- Psychiatric Centre Copenhagen, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sidse Arnfred
- Psychiatric Research Unit, Region Zealand Mental Health Service, Slagelse, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Weiss B, Ginige I, Shannon L, Giribaldi B, Murphy-Beiner A, Murphy R, Baker-Jones M, Martell J, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D. Personality Change in a Trial of Psilocybin Therapy vs Escitalopram Treatment for Depression - CORRIGENDUM. Psychol Med 2024; 54:217. [PMID: 37466289 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723002039] [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: 07/20/2023]
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Wolinsky D, Barrett FS, Vandrey R. The psychedelic effects of cannabis: A review of the literature. J Psychopharmacol 2024; 38:49-55. [PMID: 37947321 DOI: 10.1177/02698811231209194] [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] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Cannabis and classic psychedelics are controlled substances with emerging evidence of efficacy in the treatment of a variety of psychiatric illnesses. Cannabis has largely not been regarded as having psychedelic effects in contemporary literature, despite many examples of historical use along with classic psychedelics to attain altered states of consciousness. Research into the "psychedelic" effects of cannabis, and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in particular, could prove helpful for assessing potential therapeutic indications and elucidating the mechanism of action of both cannabis and classic psychedelics. This review aggregates and evaluates the literature assessing the capacity of cannabis to yield the perceptual changes, aversiveness, and mystical experiences more typically associated with classic psychedelics such as psilocybin. This review also provides a brief contrast of neuroimaging findings associated with the acute effects of cannabis and psychedelics. The available evidence suggests that high-THC cannabis may be able to elicit psychedelic effects, but that these effects may not have been observed in recent controlled research studies due to the doses, set, and settings commonly used. Research is needed to investigate the effects of high doses of THC in the context utilized in therapeutic studies of psychedelics aimed to occasion psychedelic and/or therapeutic experiences. If cannabis can reliably generate psychedelic experiences under these conditions, high-THC dose cannabis treatments should be explored as potential adjunctive treatments for psychiatric disorders and be considered as an active comparator in clinical trials involving traditional psychedelic medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wolinsky
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Frederick Streeter Barrett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ryan Vandrey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Gonzales SAB, Alexopoulos C, Arkfeld DG. Potential Benefits of Psilocybin for Lupus Pain: A Case Report. Curr Rheumatol Rev 2024; 20:97-99. [PMID: 37670693 DOI: 10.2174/1573397119666230904150750] [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: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Outcomes of treatment for patients with Lupus have shown overall improvement and benefit from the more aggressive use of immunosuppressants and biological agents through a treat-to-target approach. However, chronic musculoskeletal pain can be refractory to treatment despite the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and other analgesic agents, leading to patient dissatisfaction. The concept of new neural pathways from psilocybin usage has been proposed in a variety of pain syndromes; however, it is not trialed for patients with Lupus pain. CASE PRESENTATION The patient was a 67-year-old male with positive anti-dsDNA antibody Lupus with a predominance of chronic polyarticular joint pain treated with hydroxychloroquine and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs without pain relief. Pain dramatically improved after a one-time macro-dosing of 6 grams of Psilocybin cubensis in Oregon, which he expected would only provide a sense of enlightenment. After 12 months, he continued without debilitating joint pain. CONCLUSION The serotonin-2A receptor's activation triggers an array of neurophysiological reactions that disrupt the functional connections in areas of the brain that are associated with chronic pain. These neuroplastic effects can generate healthy connections, resulting in long-lasting pain relief. However, this is a process that has not been fully analyzed. While there is anecdotal evidence to suggest the therapeutic benefits for autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, there is no specific research that explores its use for lupus-related pain. Since this is the first case that shows the benefit of psilocybin in a patient with Lupus, further studies on macro-dosing psilocybin to treat Lupus pain are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Audrey B Gonzales
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo St Los Angeles, CA90033-5310, United States
| | - Christine Alexopoulos
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo St Los Angeles, CA90033-5310, United States
| | - Daniel G Arkfeld
- Department of Rheumatology, University of Southern California, 1520 San Pablo St Los Angeles, CA90033-5310, United States
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Cheung K, Earp BD, Yaden DB. Valuing the Acute Subjective Experience. Perspect Biol Med 2024; 67:155-165. [PMID: 38662070 DOI: 10.1353/pbm.2024.a919717] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Psychedelics, including psilocybin, and other consciousness-altering compounds such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), currently are being scientifically investigated for their potential therapeutic uses, with a primary focus on measurable outcomes: for example, alleviation of symptoms or increases in self-reported well-being. Accordingly, much recent discussion about the possible value of these substances has turned on estimates of the magnitude and duration of persisting positive effects in comparison to harms. However, many have described the value of a psychedelic experience with little or no reference to such therapeutic benefits, instead seeming to find the experience valuable in its own right. How can we make sense of such testimony? Could a psychedelic experience be valuable even if there were no persisting beneficial effects? If so, how? Using the concept of psychological richness, combined with insights from the philosophy of aesthetics and the enhancement literature, this essay explores potential sources of value in the acute subjective experience, apart from the value derived from persisting beneficial effects.
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Borkel LF, Rojas-Hernández J, Henríquez-Hernández LA, Santana Del Pino Á, Quintana-Hernández DJ. Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:165-176. [PMID: 38108102 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2023.2295997] [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: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In psychedelic therapy, the importance of set and setting is a fundamental but under-researched assumption. The aim of this study is to correlate variables of set (psychedelic use motivation) and setting (psychedelic use location and type of companion) with psychopathology, wellbeing and personality variables. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A sample of 1022 participants of the Spanish-speaking population was collected through an online survey. A novel instrument, the Psychedelic Use Scale (PUS), was developed to measure substance use variables of LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, DMT, 5-Meo-DMT, ketamine, Salvia divinorum, ibogaine and MDMA. Various personality, well-being and psychopathology instruments were implemented to measure outcome variables. RESULTS Growth motivations, natural settings and presence of significant others predicted less psychopathology, greater wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences, whereas problematic motivations predicted greater psychopathology, lower wellbeing and did not predict meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences. CONCLUSIONS Based on these results, we suggest experimental hypotheses for future clinical trials and longitudinal studies with potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas F Borkel
- Asociación Científica Psicodélica, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jaime Rojas-Hernández
- Asociación Científica Psicodélica, Canary Islands, Spain
- Asociación Canaria para el Desarrollo de la Salud a través de la Atención, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Luis Alberto Henríquez-Hernández
- Asociación Científica Psicodélica, Canary Islands, Spain
- Unidad de Toxicología, Departamento de Ciencias Clínicas, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Ángelo Santana Del Pino
- Departmento de Matemáticas, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Domingo J Quintana-Hernández
- Asociación Científica Psicodélica, Canary Islands, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Atlántico Medio, Canary Islands, Spain
- Instituto-AS, Cabildo de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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Affiliation(s)
- Guy M Goodwin
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
| | - Ekaterina Malievskaia
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
| | - Gregory A Fonzo
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
| | - Charles B Nemeroff
- COMPASS Pathways Plc, London (Goodwin, Malievskaia); Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin (Fonzo, Nemeroff)
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Zaretsky TG, Jagodnik KM, Barsic R, Antonio JH, Bonanno PA, MacLeod C, Pierce C, Carney H, Morrison MT, Saylor C, Danias G, Lepow L, Yehuda R. The Psychedelic Future of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Treatment. Curr Neuropharmacol 2024; 22:636-735. [PMID: 38284341 PMCID: PMC10845102 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x22666231027111147] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can occur following exposure to a traumatic experience. An estimated 12 million U.S. adults are presently affected by this disorder. Current treatments include psychological therapies (e.g., exposure-based interventions) and pharmacological treatments (e.g., selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)). However, a significant proportion of patients receiving standard-of-care therapies for PTSD remain symptomatic, and new approaches for this and other trauma-related mental health conditions are greatly needed. Psychedelic compounds that alter cognition, perception, and mood are currently being examined for their efficacy in treating PTSD despite their current status as Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)- scheduled substances. Initial clinical trials have demonstrated the potential value of psychedelicassisted therapy to treat PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the state of the science of PTSD clinical care, including current treatments and their shortcomings. We review clinical studies of psychedelic interventions to treat PTSD, trauma-related disorders, and common comorbidities. The classic psychedelics psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and DMT-containing ayahuasca, as well as the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and the dissociative anesthetic ketamine, are reviewed. For each drug, we present the history of use, psychological and somatic effects, pharmacology, and safety profile. The rationale and proposed mechanisms for use in treating PTSD and traumarelated disorders are discussed. This review concludes with an in-depth consideration of future directions for the psychiatric applications of psychedelics to maximize therapeutic benefit and minimize risk in individuals and communities impacted by trauma-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamar Glatman Zaretsky
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kathleen M. Jagodnik
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Barsic
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Josimar Hernandez Antonio
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Philip A. Bonanno
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carolyn MacLeod
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charlotte Pierce
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hunter Carney
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Morgan T. Morrison
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Charles Saylor
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Danias
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren Lepow
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Yehuda
- James J. Peters Veterans Affairs Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- The Center for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and Trauma Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Weiss B, Ginige I, Shannon L, Giribaldi B, Murphy-Beiner A, Murphy R, Baker-Jones M, Martell J, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL, Erritzoe D. Personality change in a trial of psilocybin therapy v. escitalopram treatment for depression. Psychol Med 2024; 54:178-192. [PMID: 37264814 PMCID: PMC10692311 DOI: 10.1017/s0033291723001514] [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] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psilocybin Therapy (PT) is being increasingly studied as a psychiatric intervention. Personality relates to mental health and can be used to probe the nature of PT's therapeutic action. METHODS In a phase 2, double-blind, randomized, active comparator controlled trial involving patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, we compared psilocybin with escitalopram, over a core 6-week trial period. Five-Factor model personality domains, Big Five Aspect Scale Openness aspects, Absorption, and Impulsivity were measured at Baseline, Week 6, and Month 6 follow-up. RESULTS PT was associated with decreases in neuroticism (B = -0.63), introversion (B = -0.38), disagreeableness (B = -0.47), impulsivity (B = -0.40), and increases in absorption (B = 0.32), conscientiousness (B = 0.30), and openness (B = 0.23) at week 6, with neuroticism (B = -0.47) and disagreeableness (B = -0.41) remaining decreased at month 6. Escitalopram Treatment (ET) was associated with decreases in neuroticism (B = -0.38), disagreeableness (B = -0.26), impulsivity (B = -0.35), and increases in openness (B = 0.28) at week 6, with neuroticism (B = -0.46) remaining decreased at month 6. No significant between-condition differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS Personality changes across both conditions were in a direction consistent with improved mental health. With the possible exception of trait absorption, there were no compelling between-condition differences warranting conclusions regarding a selective action of PT (v. ET) on personality; however, post-ET changes in personality were significantly moderated by pre-trial positive expectancy for escitalopram, whereas expectancy did not moderate response to PT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon Weiss
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Induni Ginige
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Lu Shannon
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bruna Giribaldi
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Roberta Murphy
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Michelle Baker-Jones
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jonny Martell
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - David J. Nutt
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Robin L. Carhart-Harris
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Psychedelics Division, Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - David Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Academic Psychiatry, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Madrid-Gambin F, Fabregat-Safont D, Gomez-Gomez A, Olesti E, Mason NL, Ramaekers JG, Pozo OJ. Present and future of metabolic and metabolomics studies focused on classical psychedelics in humans. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 169:115775. [PMID: 37944438 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.115775] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics are classical hallucinogen drugs that induce a marked altered state of consciousness. In recent years, there has been renewed attention to the possible use of classical psychedelics for the treatment of certain mental health disorders. However, further investigation to better understand their biological effects in humans, their mechanism of action, and their metabolism in humans is needed when considering the development of future novel therapeutic approaches. Both metabolic and metabolomics studies may help for these purposes. On one hand, metabolic studies aim to determine the main metabolites of the drug. On the other hand, the application of metabolomics in human psychedelics studies can help to further understand the biological processes underlying the psychedelic state and the mechanisms of action underlying their therapeutic potential. This review presents the state of the art of metabolic and metabolomic studies after lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carboline alkaloids (ayahuasca brew), 5-methoxy-DMT and psilocybin administrations in humans. We first describe the characteristics of the published research. Afterward, we reviewed the main results obtained by both metabolic and metabolomics (if available) studies in classical psychedelics and we found out that metabolic and metabolomics studies in psychedelics progress at two different speeds. Thus, whereas the main metabolites for classical psychedelics have been robustly established, the main metabolic alterations induced by psychedelics need to be explored. The integration of metabolomics and pharmacokinetics for investigating the molecular interaction between psychedelics and multiple targets may open new avenues in understanding the therapeutic role of psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Madrid-Gambin
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - David Fabregat-Safont
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; Environmental and Public Health Analytical Chemistry, Research Institute for Pesticides and Water, University Jaume I, 12071 Castelló, Spain
| | - Alex Gomez-Gomez
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain; CERBA Internacional, Chromatography Department, 08203 Sabadell, Spain
| | - Eulàlia Olesti
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Area Medicament, Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Clinical Pharmacology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Natasha L Mason
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Johannes G Ramaekers
- Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Oscar J Pozo
- Applied Metabolomics Research Group, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, 08003 Barcelona, Spain.
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Wojtas A, Gołembiowska K. Molecular and Medical Aspects of Psychedelics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:241. [PMID: 38203411 PMCID: PMC10778977 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010241] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Psychedelics belong to the oldest psychoactive drugs. They arouse recent interest due to their therapeutic applications in the treatment of major depressive disorder, substance use disorder, end-of-life anxiety,= and anxiety symptoms, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. In this review, the current state of preclinical research on the mechanism of action, neurotoxicity, and behavioral impact of psychedelics is summarized. The effect of selective 5-HT2A receptor agonists, 25I- and 25B-NBOMe, after acute and repeated administration is characterized and compared with the effects of a less selective drug, psilocybin. The data show a significant effect of NBOMes on glutamatergic, dopaminergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic neurotransmission in the frontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens. The increases in extracellular levels of neurotransmitters were not dose-dependent, which most likely resulted from the stimulation of the 5-HT2A receptor and subsequent activation of the 5-HT2C receptors. This effect was also observed in the wet dog shake test and locomotor activity. Chronic administration of NBOMes elicited rapid development of tolerance, genotoxicity, and activation of microglia. Acute treatment with psilocybin affected monoaminergic and aminoacidic neurotransmitters in the frontal cortex, nucleus accumbens, and hippocampus but not in the amygdala. Psilocybin exhibited anxiolytic properties resulting from intensification of GABAergic neurotransmission. The data indicate that NBOMes as selective 5-HT2A agonists exert a significant effect on neurotransmission and behavior of rats while also inducing oxidative DNA damage. In contrast to NBOMes, the effects induced by psilocybin suggest a broader therapeutic index of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Krystyna Gołembiowska
- Unit II, Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, 12 Smętna Street, 31-343 Kraków, Poland;
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Du Y, Li Y, Zhao X, Yao Y, Wang B, Zhang L, Wang G. Psilocybin facilitates fear extinction in mice by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. Chin Med J (Engl) 2023; 136:2983-2992. [PMID: 37000971 PMCID: PMC10752473 DOI: 10.1097/cm9.0000000000002647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are highly comorbid. Psilocybin exerts substantial therapeutic effects on depression by promoting neuroplasticity. Fear extinction is a key process in the mechanism of first-line exposure-based therapies for PTSD. We hypothesized that psilocybin would facilitate fear extinction by promoting hippocampal neuroplasticity. METHODS First, we assessed the effects of psilocybin on percentage of freezing time in an auditory cued fear conditioning (FC) and fear extinction paradigm in mice. Psilocybin was administered 30 min before extinction training. Fear extinction testing was performed on the first day; fear extinction retrieval and fear renewal were tested on the sixth and seventh days, respectively. Furthermore, we verified the effect of psilocybin on hippocampal neuroplasticity using Golgi staining for the dendritic complexity and spine density, Western blotting for the protein levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and immunofluorescence staining for the numbers of doublecortin (DCX)- and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells. RESULTS A single dose of psilocybin (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced the increase in the percentage of freezing time induced by FC at 24 h, 6th day and 7th day after administration. In terms of structural neuroplasticity, psilocybin rescued the decrease in hippocampal dendritic complexity and spine density induced by FC; in terms of neuroplasticity related proteins, psilocybin rescued the decrease in the protein levels of hippocampal BDNF and mTOR induced by FC; in terms of neurogenesis, psilocybin rescued the decrease in the numbers of DCX- and BrdU-positive cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus induced by FC. CONCLUSIONS A single dose of psilocybin facilitated rapid and sustained fear extinction; this effect might be partially mediated by the promotion of hippocampal neuroplasticity. This study indicates that psilocybin may be a useful adjunct to exposure-based therapies for PTSD and other mental disorders characterized by failure of fear extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Du
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Yunfeng Li
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing 100850, China
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xiangting Zhao
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing 100850, China
- Key Laboratory of Microecology-Immune Regulatory Network and Related Diseases Basic Medical College of Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang 154000, China
| | - Yishan Yao
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Liming Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing Key Laboratory of Neuropsychopharmacology, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Guyan Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
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Kolbman N, Liu T, Guzzo P, Gilligan J, Mashour GA, Vanini G, Pal D. Intravenous psilocybin attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity in a rat model of chronic pain. Curr Biol 2023; 33:R1282-R1283. [PMID: 38113836 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.10.016] [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: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
There is a renewed interest in psychedelic drugs as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In particular, psilocybin has shown promise for the treatment of refractory depression1 and major depressive disorder2, and has also been explored as a treatment for tobacco and alcohol abuse3,4. However, despite suggestive evidence5,6, there has been no systematic study to investigate the effectiveness of psilocybin in attenuating indices of chronic pain. To address this gap, we investigated the effect of psilocybin on mechanical hypersensitivity and thermal hyperalgesia in a well-established rat model of formalin-induced, centralized chronic pain7,8 and demonstrate that a single intravenous bolus administration of psilocybin can attenuate mechanical hypersensitivity for 28 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Kolbman
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Tiecheng Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Peter Guzzo
- Tryp Therapeutics, Kelowna, BC V1Y 7T2, Canada
| | | | - George A Mashour
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Giancarlo Vanini
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Dinesh Pal
- Department of Anesthesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Center for Consciousness Science, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Michigan Psychedelic Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
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Abstract
Since its emergence in the 1960s, the serotonergic theory of depression bore fruit in the discovery of a plethora of antidepressant drugs affecting the lives of millions of patients. While crucial in the history of drug development, recent studies undermine the effectiveness of currently used antidepressant drugs in comparison to placebo, emphasizing the long time it takes to initiate the therapeutic response and numerous adverse effects. Thus, the scope of contemporary pharmacological research shifts from drugs affecting the serotonin system to rapid-acting antidepressant drugs. The prototypical representative of the aforementioned class is ketamine, an NMDA receptor antagonist capable of alleviating the symptoms of depression shortly after the drug administration. This discovery led to a paradigm shift, focusing on amino-acidic neurotransmitters and growth factors. Alas, the drug is not perfect, as its therapeutic effect diminishes circa 2 weeks after administration. Furthermore, it is not devoid of some severe side effects. However, there seems to be another, more efficient, and safer way to target the glutamatergic system. Hallucinogenic agonists of the 5-HT2A receptor, commonly known as psychedelics, are nowadays being reconsidered in clinical practice, shedding their infamous 1970s stigma. More and more clinical studies prove their clinical efficacy and rapid onset after a single administration while bearing fewer side effects. This review focuses on the current state-of-the-art literature and most recent clinical studies concerning the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of mental disorders. Specifically, the antidepressant potential of LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and 5-MeO-DMT will be discussed, together with a brief summary of other possible applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Wojtas
- Department of Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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46
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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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47
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Rhee TG, Davoudian PA, Sanacora G, Wilkinson ST. Psychedelic renaissance: Revitalized potential therapies for psychiatric disorders. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103818. [PMID: 37925136 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103818] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders represent the largest cause of disability worldwide. Global interests in psychedelic substances as potentially therapeutic agents for psychiatric disorders has recently re-emerged. Here, we review progress in the development of psychedelic compounds that have potential therapeutic effects as well as the safety concerns. We include psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and the entactogen 3,4-methyl-enedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA). We also review the potential interactive effects these compounds can have with psychotherapeutic approaches. We provide a cutting-edge review of active and recently completed clinical trials based on the published literature (from MEDLINE), published abstracts at citable conferences, clinical trials from the US Clinical Trials registry (clinicaltrials.gov) and media press releases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taeho Greg Rhee
- Yale Depression Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Pasha A Davoudian
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Gerard Sanacora
- Yale Depression Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Samuel T Wilkinson
- Yale Depression Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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48
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Pepe M, Hesami M, de la Cerda KA, Perreault ML, Hsiang T, Jones AMP. A journey with psychedelic mushrooms: From historical relevance to biology, cultivation, medicinal uses, biotechnology, and beyond. Biotechnol Adv 2023; 69:108247. [PMID: 37659744 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108247] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Psychedelic mushrooms containing psilocybin and related tryptamines have long been used for ethnomycological purposes, but emerging evidence points to the potential therapeutic value of these mushrooms to address modern neurological, psychiatric health, and related disorders. As a result, psilocybin containing mushrooms represent a re-emerging frontier for mycological, biochemical, neuroscience, and pharmacology research. This work presents crucial information related to traditional use of psychedelic mushrooms, as well as research trends and knowledge gaps related to their diversity and distribution, technologies for quantification of tryptamines and other tryptophan-derived metabolites, as well as biosynthetic mechanisms for their production within mushrooms. In addition, we explore the current state of knowledge for how psilocybin and related tryptamines are metabolized in humans and their pharmacological effects, including beneficial and hazardous human health implications. Finally, we describe opportunities and challenges for investigating the production of psychedelic mushrooms and metabolic engineering approaches to alter secondary metabolite profiles using biotechnology integrated with machine learning. Ultimately, this critical review of all aspects related to psychedelic mushrooms represents a roadmap for future research efforts that will pave the way to new applications and refined protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pepe
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Guelph, Canada
| | - Mohsen Hesami
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Guelph, Canada
| | - Karla A de la Cerda
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Guelph, Canada
| | - Melissa L Perreault
- Departments of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tom Hsiang
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Guelph, Canada
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Boudreau E, Orlowski K. Psilocybin therapy to reduce depression following a terminal diagnosis. JAAPA 2023; 36:1. [PMID: 37989175 DOI: 10.1097/01.jaa.0000994952.07847.2d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Boudreau
- At the time this abstract was written, Elizabeth Boudreau was a student in the Medex Northwest PA program at the University of Washington School of Medicine. Krissa Orlowski is a part-time lecturer in the Medex Northwest PA program. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise
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50
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Crowe M, Manuel J, Carlyle D, Lacey C. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression: Which psychotherapy? Int J Ment Health Nurs 2023; 32:1766-1772. [PMID: 37589380 DOI: 10.1111/inm.13214] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
This perspective paper explores the choice of psychotherapy for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression. There is evidence to support the use of some psychotherapies in treating 'treatment-resistant' depression, and emerging evidence for the efficacy of psilocybin. The next step which is the focus of this paper is to identify psychotherapies that are both effective and congruent with the psilocybin experience. The evidence for the efficacy of the psychotherapies is drawn from a Cochrane review and the analysis of their congruence with the psilocybin experience is drawn from a qualitative meta-synthesis of the experience of psilocybin. The paper will examine whether three one-to-one psychotherapies identified as effective in the treatment of treatment-resistant depression are compatible with the psilocybin experience. Each psychotherapy will be examined in relation to its congruence with the qualitative evidence that suggests the choice of psychotherapy needs to give priority to the subjective experience, facilitate emotional processing, support connectedness with others, acceptance of the self as emotional and support change based on the person's insights into their relationships with others and the world in which they live. We conclude that interpersonal psychotherapy and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy align with that experience, although others are currently being trialled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Crowe
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Jenni Manuel
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Māori and Indigenous Health Institute, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Dave Carlyle
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Cameron Lacey
- Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
- Māori and Indigenous Health Institute, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand
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