Chronic pain – mycolab.ai

Improved mental health outcomes and normalised spontaneous EEG activity in veterans reporting a history of traumatic brain injuries following participation in a psilocybin retreat

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Researchers studied how psilocybin mushrooms given in a retreat setting could help military veterans with traumatic brain injuries who also experienced mental health problems like PTSD and depression. Veterans participated in guided psilocybin ceremonies and showed significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and overall quality of life, along with positive changes in their brain activity patterns measured by EEG. The study suggests that psilocybin retreats may be a promising therapeutic approach for this vulnerable population and supports the need for larger research studies.

New perspective on sustained antidepressant effect: focus on neurexins regulating synaptic plasticity

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This review explores how hallucinogens like ketamine and psilocybin produce long-lasting antidepressant effects by changing how brain cells communicate. The key mechanism involves special molecules called neurexins that sit at the connections between neurons and control whether those connections strengthen or weaken. By understanding and potentially targeting neurexins, scientists hope to develop new depression treatments that work longer and more effectively than current medications.

Preliminary safety and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy in adults with fibromyalgia: an open-label pilot clinical trial

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Researchers conducted a small pilot study examining whether psilocybin (the active compound in certain mushrooms) combined with therapy could help treat fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition. Five participants received two doses of psilocybin along with supportive therapy sessions. The treatment was well-tolerated with only minor side effects, and participants reported significant improvements in pain, sleep quality, and overall functioning. These promising preliminary results suggest larger studies should be conducted to further test this innovative treatment approach.

Psilocybin for clinical indications: A scoping review

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This comprehensive review examined over 190 research studies on psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) as a medical treatment. The research shows promise for treating depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and chronic pain, though most studies conducted so far have been small in size. While the evidence is encouraging, researchers emphasize the need for larger, better-designed clinical trials to fully understand psilocybin’s benefits and safety profile.

The collective lie in ketamine therapy: a call to realign clinical practice with neurobiology

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This article argues that ketamine therapy is commonly misunderstood as a consciousness-expanding psychedelic when it actually works through a completely different biological mechanism. The real therapeutic benefit comes from the brain’s natural reorganization in the days after treatment, not from the altered states people experience during the session itself. The authors call for medical practitioners to stop emphasizing the dissociative experience and instead focus on helping patients build healthy thought patterns during the recovery period when the brain is most ready to form new connections.

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.

Ethical Considerations Regarding Psychedelics for Clinical Pain Research

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This paper examines the ethical considerations necessary when conducting research on psychedelics like psilocybin for treating chronic pain. With chronic pain affecting millions of Americans and traditional treatments like opioids causing significant problems, researchers are exploring psychedelics as alternatives. The authors provide guidance on obtaining proper informed consent, protecting vulnerable patients, managing regulatory requirements, and ensuring research benefits participants while following four key ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence, justice, and avoiding harm.

Psychedelic Mushrooms in the USA: Knowledge, Patterns of Use, and Association With Health Outcomes

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This study surveyed over 250 million representative American adults about their use of psychedelic mushrooms. Researchers found that about 1.7% of US adults used psychedelic mushrooms in the past year, primarily for general mental health and well-being. Interestingly, those who used them reported higher levels of depression and anxiety, suggesting people with mental health challenges may be self-treating with mushrooms. The findings highlight the need for evidence-based guidelines as more Americans explore psychedelics for health purposes.

Psilocybin induces long-lasting effects via 5-HT2A receptors in mouse models of chronic pain

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Researchers found that psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, significantly reduced chronic pain in mice through activation of specific serotonin receptors. The effects lasted for up to two weeks after a single dose, suggesting lasting changes in how the nervous system processes pain. This study suggests psilocybin could be a promising new treatment for chronic pain conditions like neuropathy and inflammation.

Global species diversity and distribution of the psychedelic fungal genus Panaeolus

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This study is a comprehensive catalog of 77 Panaeolus mushroom species worldwide, of which 20 are known to be hallucinogenic and contain psilocybin. Researchers found that these mushrooms are most commonly documented in Asia, South America, and Europe, but many regions have little to no research data. The review highlights significant gaps in our knowledge about where these species exist and which ones truly contain psychoactive compounds, information that is crucial as these fungi become legal in more countries for medical use.

Disease: Chronic pain