end-of-life anxiety – mycolab.ai

An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review

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This review examines how psychedelic therapy affects people’s daily lives and overall health from an occupational therapy perspective. Using interviews from nine studies, researchers found that people using psychedelics for mental health reported becoming more mindful and engaged in meaningful activities, better understanding themselves, increased motivation for positive change, and stronger connections with others and nature. The findings suggest psychedelic-assisted therapy can be understood as a meaningful occupation that enhances participation in everyday life rather than a harmful activity.

Biological markers of treatment response to serotonergic psychedelic therapies: a systematic review

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This review examines how scientists can predict which patients will benefit most from psychedelic-assisted therapy for depression by measuring biological markers in the brain and blood. Researchers found that certain brain changes and protein levels—particularly involving the amygdala, specific brain regions, and inflammation markers—appear linked to treatment success. While the current studies are small, they suggest that measuring these biological markers could eventually help doctors personalize psychedelic treatments for depression.

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.

Transient Elevation of Plasma Glucocorticoids Supports Psilocybin-Induced Anxiolysis in Mice

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This study examined how psilocybin works to reduce anxiety in mice by investigating the role of stress hormones, particularly corticosterone. Researchers found that psilocybin causes a temporary spike in corticosterone levels that is essential for its anxiety-reducing effects hours after administration. Interestingly, other interventions that increase corticosterone levels also produced similar anxiety-reducing effects, suggesting the stress hormone response itself drives the therapeutic benefit rather than psilocybin’s psychedelic properties alone. These findings suggest that measuring cortisol levels in human patients receiving psilocybin therapy could help explain and optimize therapeutic outcomes.

Bis(4-acetoxy-N-ethyl-N-n-propyltryptammonium) fumarate–fumaric acid (1/1)

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Researchers determined the precise chemical structure of a synthetic compound related to psilocybin (the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms) using X-ray crystallography. The compound, 4-AcO-EPT, is designed to be converted in the body to a psychoactive substance with potential therapeutic benefits for depression and anxiety. The study resolved conflicting reports about the compound’s exact composition and molecular arrangement, showing it exists as a specific combination of three molecular components. This work demonstrates why chemists need to study actual crystal structures rather than relying solely on chemical calculations.

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.

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.

A taxonomy of regulatory and policy matters relevant to psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia

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Australia has recently approved psilocybin and MDMA for treating severe depression and PTSD when used with professional therapy support. This paper creates a comprehensive guide outlining all the regulatory, professional, and safety considerations needed to safely deliver these treatments in clinical settings. The researchers interviewed 11 experts and reviewed existing research to identify 102 specific matters that need clear guidelines, such as what qualifications therapists need, where treatments can be delivered, how patients should be screened, and what safety measures are essential.

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

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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.

Disease: end-of-life anxiety