Anti-Therapeutic Action: depersonalization

Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study

This study of over 13,000 people examined how using psychedelics relates to meditation practices. Researchers found that people who used psychedelics during the study period increased their meditation practice more than those who didn’t. Importantly, people who already had higher levels of mindfulness and self-compassion before using psychedelics had less difficult experiences during their use. However, among people who were already meditating regularly, psychedelic use was linked to more difficulties during meditation.

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The Bright Side of Psychedelics: Latest Advances and Challenges in Neuropharmacology

Researchers are rediscovering psychedelic compounds from traditional plants and fungi as potential treatments for mental health conditions and addiction. These substances work by interacting with brain chemistry, particularly serotonin systems, to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and drug cravings. Recent clinical studies show promising results, especially for treating opioid addiction with single doses that can produce lasting improvements. However, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to fully understand how these compounds work and to establish safe, effective therapeutic protocols.

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Development of the Japanese version of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire

Researchers have translated an important measurement tool called the Challenging Experience Questionnaire into Japanese. This tool helps doctors and researchers measure difficult feelings like fear and anxiety that people sometimes experience when taking psilocybin mushrooms as part of therapy. Having this questionnaire available in Japanese is important because it allows Japanese patients and researchers to participate in psychedelic research and understand these experiences better.

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Safety, tolerability, and clinical and neural effects of single-dose psilocybin in obsessive–compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, non-crossover trial

This study tests whether psilocybin (the active compound in certain mushrooms) can help people with obsessive-compulsive disorder who haven’t responded to standard treatments. In a carefully controlled trial, participants receive either a single dose of psilocybin or a placebo while receiving psychological support, with their brain activity and symptoms monitored. The research aims to determine if this novel treatment is safe and whether it could work faster than existing medications for this difficult-to-treat condition.

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A Review of the Food and Drug Administration Pipeline and Proposed California Legislation on Medicinal Psychedelics

Psychedelic compounds like psilocybin and ketamine show promise in treating serious mental health conditions including PTSD and depression. The FDA carefully evaluates these drugs through multi-phase clinical trials to ensure they are safe and effective. While California has proposed making psychedelics more widely available through legislation, the FDA’s thorough approval process provides important protections by identifying potential risks and ensuring proper medical oversight.

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Analysis of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Medicine: A Narrative Review

This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, may help treat difficult-to-treat conditions like smoking addiction, alcohol dependence, and depression. Clinical trials show psilocybin-assisted therapy achieves better smoking cessation rates (80%) than standard medications and reduces depression symptoms as effectively as common antidepressants. The treatment works differently than daily medications, requiring only a few supervised doses weeks apart, potentially offering a new option for millions of people.

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Recalled childhood trauma and post-psychedelic trajectories of change in a mixed-methods study

This study examined how childhood trauma can resurface during psychedelic experiences and what happens afterward. Researchers surveyed over 600 people who had difficult experiences after using psychedelics, and interviewed 18 of them in detail. They found that trauma surfaced in different ways—some people vividly relived events, others felt intense bodily sensations, and some experienced confusion. About half of participants found healing from the experience, while others struggled with ongoing trauma symptoms or mixed outcomes. The research emphasizes the importance of proper preparation, supportive settings, and follow-up integration work to help people process these experiences safely.

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Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings

This clinical trial is investigating whether psilocybin (a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms) combined with supportive counseling can help people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Researchers will give participants two doses of psilocybin while providing non-directive psychological support to help them process their experiences. The study aims to determine whether this approach is safe, tolerable, and effective at reducing OCD symptoms, and to understand the psychological mechanisms that might explain how it works.

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Adaptation and latent structure of the Brazilian version of the Ego Dissolution Inventory (EDI-BR): an exploratory study

This study adapted a psychological assessment tool called the Ego Dissolution Inventory for use in Brazil. Ego dissolution refers to the profound sense of losing one’s sense of self that people experience when using psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. The researchers found that the adapted Brazilian version works well and identifies three dimensions of the experience: confidence/assertiveness, ego dissolution, and ego inflation. This validated tool can now help researchers in Brazil better understand psychedelic experiences and their potential therapeutic benefits.

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