bipolar disorder – Page 2

Mushrooms, Microdosing, and Mental Illness: The Effect of Psilocybin on Neurotransmitters, Neuroinflammation, and Neuroplasticity

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This review examines how psilocybin, the active compound in certain mushrooms, may help treat depression and anxiety by reducing brain inflammation and promoting healthy neurotransmitter function. Both full doses under medical supervision and smaller ‘microdoses’ show promise for mental health conditions. The research suggests psilocybin works by calming the immune system’s inflammatory response while simultaneously supporting the brain’s natural healing and adaptation processes, offering a potential alternative treatment when standard medications don’t work.

Anhedonia: Current and future treatments

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Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure from activities, which is a significant problem affecting many people with depression and other psychiatric conditions. This review examined many different treatments for anhedonia including medications, brain stimulation techniques, and psychological therapies. The research shows that newer medications like vortioxetine and ketamine work better for anhedonia than older antidepressants, and combining multiple approaches including therapy and lifestyle changes gives the best results.

Psychedelics and the treatment of eating disorders: considerations for future research and practice

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As researchers explore using psychedelic drugs like psilocybin to treat eating disorders, this article outlines important safety considerations and ethical guidelines needed before widespread use. While some early trials show promise, significant concerns exist including physiological risks (heart problems, nausea), psychological challenges, potential for therapist misconduct, and medication interactions. The authors recommend rigorous research designs, better inclusion of diverse populations, and careful integration of psychedelics with proven eating disorder treatments.

Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers

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This large international study of over 8,700 people found that adults who microdose psychedelics report taking small doses for health and wellness reasons. Among people with anxiety or depression, microdosers showed lower symptom levels than non-microdosers. Most microdosers used psilocybin and combined it with other substances like Lion’s Mane mushrooms or niacin, practices they refer to as stacking.

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.

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.

Prediction of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and thought disturbance symptoms following psychedelic use

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Researchers followed 654 people planning to use psychedelics and measured their thinking patterns before and after. They found that delusional thinking actually decreased after use, while about one-third experienced visual effects like seeing trails or intensified colors. However, very few people (less than 1%) found these visual effects bothersome. Younger people, women, and those with psychiatric history were more likely to experience these visual effects.

Identification of a psychiatric risk gene NISCH at 3p21.1 GWAS locus mediating dendritic spine morphogenesis and cognitive function

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Researchers identified a gene called NISCH that increases the risk of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. When this gene is overactive, it changes the shape of connections between brain cells and impairs working memory in mice. Interestingly, blood pressure medications like clonidine can reduce NISCH activity and improve cognitive function, suggesting these drugs might help psychiatric patients.

Disease: bipolar disorder