cluster headaches – mycolab.ai

If psychedelics heal, how do they do it?

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Psychedelic drugs like MDMA and magic mushrooms are showing remarkable promise in treating serious mental health conditions like PTSD and depression, with clinical trials demonstrating higher success rates than traditional therapy alone. However, scientists still don’t fully understand how these drugs work at the molecular and brain level, or whether the hallucinations they produce are necessary for healing. Researchers are investigating whether modified versions without hallucinations could provide the same benefits while being easier to administer, while also exploring how individual factors and treatment environment affect outcomes.

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.

Virtual reality and psychedelics: new perspectives and new possibilities in the treatment of alcohol use disorder

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This article discusses how virtual reality technology that simulates psychedelic experiences could improve treatment for alcohol addiction. Virtual reality simulations can mimic the brain effects of psychedelics like psilocybin, and could help prepare patients for treatment, extend its benefits, or even work as a standalone therapy. This innovation could make psychedelic-assisted therapy more accessible and easier to standardize across different treatment centers.

A systematic review to assess the use of psilocybin in the treatment of headaches

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Researchers reviewed eight studies examining whether psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, could treat various types of headaches and migraines. Most studies found that psilocybin provided clinically significant relief, with participants experiencing improvements in how often they got headaches, how intense they were, and how long they lasted. However, some users experienced side effects like hallucinations or temporary increases in anxiety, and the compound remains illegal in most countries, limiting current research.

Psychedelics: Alternative and Potential Therapeutic Options for Treating Mood and Anxiety Disorders

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This comprehensive review explores how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin mushrooms, DMT, and LSD may offer new hope for treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD, especially for patients who don’t respond to conventional antidepressants. Historically used in spiritual ceremonies for thousands of years, these compounds are now being scientifically studied and show promise with fewer side effects than many traditional psychiatric medications. The authors emphasize that while results are encouraging, more research and regulatory approval are needed before these treatments become widely available in mainstream medicine.

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.

Harnessing the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of fungal secondary metabolites

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Scientists have learned to use common baker’s yeast (S. cerevisiae) as a biological factory to produce valuable medicines and compounds that naturally come from fungi and mushrooms. By transferring the genetic instructions for making these compounds into yeast cells and improving them with genetic engineering, researchers can now produce therapeutically important substances like cancer-fighting drugs and antibiotics in large quantities. This approach is more practical and cost-effective than trying to extract these rare compounds directly from their native fungal sources or using other production methods.

Evaluation of the Indazole Analogs of 5-MeO-DMT and Related Tryptamines as Serotonin Receptor 2 Agonists

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Researchers synthesized new drug candidates based on psychedelic molecules like 5-MeO-DMT, replacing the indole core with indazole scaffolds to potentially improve drug properties. While the lead compound VU6067416 showed excellent potency for serotonin receptors and favorable pharmacokinetics, it also activated 5-HT2B receptors strongly, raising safety concerns about heart problems. The study highlights the challenge of developing selective serotonin drugs and emphasizes the need for rigorous safety testing of psychedelic-based therapeutics.

Exploring Psilocybe spp. mycelium and fruiting body chemistry for potential therapeutic compounds

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This study analyzed the chemical composition of ‘magic mushrooms’ (Psilocybe) at different growth stages—liquid cultures, grain cultures, and mature fruiting bodies. Using advanced laboratory techniques, researchers found that fruiting bodies contain the highest levels of psilocybin (the psychoactive compound), while mycelium contains unique beneficial compounds like alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine that may have therapeutic value without strong psychedelic effects. The findings suggest that Psilocybe mycelium could be developed as a non-intoxicating health supplement with potential therapeutic applications.

Exploring Psilocybe spp. mycelium and fruiting body chemistry for potential therapeutic compounds

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Scientists studied magic mushrooms at different growth stages to understand their chemical makeup. They found that mature mushroom caps contain high levels of psilocybin (the psychedelic compound) but the root-like mycelium contains different beneficial compounds like ergothioneine and choline. This suggests mycelium could be developed as a therapeutic product without the psychedelic effects, potentially offering health benefits while avoiding the mind-altering properties.

Disease: cluster headaches