anxiety disorders – Page 4

Implementing psychedelic-assisted therapy: History and characteristics of the Swiss limited medical use program

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Switzerland operates a unique program allowing controlled use of psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) and MDMA to help patients with serious mental health conditions that haven’t responded to standard treatments. Since 2014, about 100 doctors have treated 700+ patients with these substances as part of therapy sessions. The program requires careful patient screening, informed consent, and outcome reporting, with patients typically receiving 2-4 treatments over 12 months. Most patients showed significant improvement in their conditions, though some experienced side effects like nausea or headaches.

Single-dose psilocybin alters resting state functional networks in patients with body dysmorphic disorder

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Researchers gave eight patients with body dysmorphic disorder (an excessive preoccupation with appearance flaws) a single dose of psilocybin and measured their brain activity before and after treatment. They found that psilocybin increased communication between key brain regions involved in decision-making and attention control. Patients whose brains showed these changes experienced significant symptom improvement within a week, suggesting psilocybin may help by enhancing mental flexibility and emotional regulation in BDD.

Interactions between classic psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants: Effects on the acute psychedelic subjective experience, well-being and depressive symptoms from a prospective survey study

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This study examines how antidepressant medications (like SSRIs) affect the experience of classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD. Researchers found that people taking these antidepressants experienced less intense emotional and mystical effects from psychedelics, but surprisingly, both groups showed similar improvements in mood and well-being several weeks later. This raises important questions about whether patients need to stop their antidepressants before using psychedelics therapeutically.

Psilocybin During the Postpartum Period Induces Long-Lasting Adverse Effects in Both Mothers and Offspring

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A new study shows that psilocybin, a psychedelic compound being tested for postpartum depression, may actually cause harm during the breastfeeding period. While the drug helped non-pregnant mice feel less anxious, it made postpartum mothers more anxious and worsened their caregiving behaviors. Even more concerning, baby mice exposed to psilocybin through breast milk developed mood and social problems as adults, suggesting potential lasting risks for human infants.

Attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among Australian mental healthcare providers

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Australian doctors and mental health professionals have positive views about using psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA to treat depression and trauma, which were recently approved by regulators. However, many still have safety concerns and gaps in their knowledge, particularly psychiatrists. Most doctors learn about psychedelics from podcasts and websites rather than formal training. The study recommends that professional organizations provide better education to prepare healthcare workers for this new treatment approach.

Knowledge, perceptions, and use of psychedelics for mental health among autistic adults: An online survey

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This survey studied how autistic adults feel about using psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms for mental health. Nearly 70% of participants had tried psychedelics before and most found them helpful for anxiety and depression. Many participants were interested in trying them or participating in research, though legal and practical barriers stood in the way. The study suggests that psychedelics could be a promising treatment option for autistic people with mental health challenges.

The Immune Mind: Linking Dietary Patterns, Microbiota, and Psychological Health

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This review shows that what we eat significantly affects our mental health through our gut bacteria and immune system. Mediterranean-style diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats can help reduce depression and anxiety symptoms. Conversely, ultra-processed foods with added sugars and artificial ingredients increase the risk of mental health problems. Specific probiotic supplements may also provide modest benefits for mood by promoting beneficial gut bacteria.

The Effectiveness of Microdosed Psilocybin in the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease: A Case Study

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A 70-year-old man suffering from severe depression and anxiety caused by chronic Lyme disease and related tick-borne infections found relief after taking small doses of psilocybin mushrooms three times a week. Within days of starting treatment, his mood improved dramatically, and he remained symptom-free for two years. This case suggests that psilocybin’s ability to reduce inflammation in the brain may help patients with infectious-caused psychiatric conditions who cannot tolerate standard medications.

Direct comparison of the acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects

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This study directly compared two popular psychedelic drugs, LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms), in 28 healthy volunteers. Researchers found that these substances produce very similar mental effects when given at equivalent doses, with the main difference being that LSD lasts longer. The study establishes that about 20 milligrams of psilocybin is roughly equivalent to 100 micrograms of LSD. These findings could help guide dosing for future psychiatric treatments using these psychedelics.

Therapeutic and legal aspects of psilocybin in cancer-related depression

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This paper examines how psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychoactive compound from mushrooms, could help cancer patients—especially those with head and neck cancer—who develop severe depression after surgery. Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to work, psilocybin acts within hours, making it potentially ideal for patients needing rapid mental health support following disfiguring surgical procedures. However, while psilocybin is legal for medical or research use in several countries like Australia and Portugal, it remains restricted in Poland and many other places, creating legal barriers to its clinical implementation.

Disease: anxiety disorders