post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

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.

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.

Psychedelic Drugs or Hallucinogens: Exploring Their Medicinal Potential

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Psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin are substances that alter perception and consciousness. Research shows they may help treat serious mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and PTSD by affecting how the brain forms new connections. These substances are relatively safe compared to many legal drugs, and scientists believe they could revolutionize mental health treatment when used properly under medical supervision.

Navigating groundlessness: An interview study on dealing with ontological shock and existential distress following psychedelic experiences

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People who use psychedelic substances like psilocybin or LSD sometimes experience profound changes in how they understand reality that can be distressing and last for months or years. This study interviewed 26 people who went through such difficult experiences and found that what helped them most was practicing grounding techniques (like yoga, spending time in nature, and creative activities), talking about their experiences with others, and learning to accept their new perspectives. The research shows that while these experiences can be challenging, people can recover and grow from them with the right support and practices.

Meditation, psychedelics, and brain connectivity: A randomized controlled resting-state fMRI study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and harmine in a meditation retreat

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Researchers studied how meditation combined with a psychedelic compound called DMT affects the brain. They scanned 40 experienced meditators before and after a 3-day retreat, with some receiving the psychedelic and others a placebo. While meditation alone reduced connections between different brain networks, the psychedelic enhanced certain connections, suggesting the two practices may complement each other in promoting mental health.

Psychedelic use in Poland: prevalence, correlates and social attitudes

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This study found that about 6% of Polish adults have tried psychedelic drugs like LSD or magic mushrooms, mostly young men in cities driven by curiosity. Most users took these substances at home and described mixed experiences. While negative attitudes toward psychedelics were common overall, people with meditation experience and previous psychedelic use had more positive views about their therapeutic potential.

Psychedelics: Safety and Efficacy

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This paper reviews scientific research on psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin that are being studied for treating depression and PTSD. While some research claims these drugs are beneficial, many studies have serious flaws including hiding negative side effects and being influenced by money from pharmaceutical companies. The author concludes that we need much better research before these drugs can be safely approved for medical use.

Expanded access to psychedelic treatments: comparing American and Canadian policies

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This article compares how the United States and Canada allow patients with serious health conditions like PTSD and depression to access experimental psychedelic treatments outside of clinical trials. Canada’s program has allowed over 200 patients to access psilocybin and MDMA treatments since 2022, while the US has only approved 50 patients for MDMA. The authors argue that Canada’s approach is more ethical and accessible, and suggest the US should streamline its process to help more patients who have failed conventional treatments.

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.

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.

Disease: post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)