PTSD – Page 3 – mycolab.ai

Effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the human heart

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Hallucinogenic drugs like LSD and psilocybin affect not only the brain but also the heart. These drugs increase heart rate and contractility mainly through specific serotonin and histamine receptors. While these effects might have therapeutic potential for psychiatric conditions, prolonged use can damage heart valves and cause dangerous arrhythmias. Understanding these cardiac effects is crucial for safe medical use and treatment of overdoses.

A clinical protocol for group-based ketamine-assisted therapy in a community of practice: the Roots To Thrive model

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The Roots to Thrive ketamine-assisted therapy program is a 12-week group treatment that combines ketamine sessions with weekly group meetings, somatic practices, and emotional support. The program integrates both Western clinical approaches and Indigenous wisdom, treating depression, anxiety, and PTSD in groups of 20-40 participants. Over 750 people have participated with significant improvements in mental health symptoms and life functioning, demonstrating that this group-based approach is both safe and effective.

Selective outcome reporting and non-reporting in trials of psychedelic drugs for mental disorders

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Researchers examined whether studies of three promising psychedelic drugs (esketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA) for treating mental health conditions were reporting their results fairly and completely. They found that nearly 29% of completed trials had no published results, and some studies changed which outcomes they reported on between registration and publication. This selective reporting could make these drugs appear more effective than they actually are.

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.

The Effect of Combined Treatment of Psilocybin and Eugenol on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Brain Inflammation in Mice

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This study tested whether psilocybin (an active compound from magic mushrooms) combined with eugenol (a natural compound from cloves) could reduce brain inflammation in mice. Researchers gave mice a substance that triggers inflammation in the brain and then treated them with these compounds before or after the inflammation started. The combination treatment, especially at a 1:50 ratio of psilocybin to eugenol, significantly reduced multiple inflammatory markers in the brain, suggesting this combination could potentially be helpful for treating brain inflammation-related conditions.

Recalled childhood trauma and post-psychedelic trajectories of change in a mixed-methods study

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This study examined how childhood trauma can resurface during psychedelic experiences and what happens afterward. Researchers surveyed over 600 people who had difficult experiences after using psychedelics, and interviewed 18 of them in detail. They found that trauma surfaced in different ways—some people vividly relived events, others felt intense bodily sensations, and some experienced confusion. About half of participants found healing from the experience, while others struggled with ongoing trauma symptoms or mixed outcomes. The research emphasizes the importance of proper preparation, supportive settings, and follow-up integration work to help people process these experiences safely.

Chronic pain as an emergent property of a complex system and the potential roles of psychedelic therapies

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Chronic pain affects millions of people and is often resistant to current treatments. This paper suggests that chronic pain emerges from interconnected biological, psychological, and social factors working together as a complex system. The authors propose that psychedelic-assisted therapies could help by breaking rigid thought and behavior patterns that maintain pain, allowing the brain and mind to reorganize in healthier ways, similar to how mindfulness meditation works but potentially more dramatically.

Lower-dose psycholytic therapy – A neglected approach

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This review examines psycholytic therapy, a method using lower doses of LSD or psilocybin combined with ongoing psychotherapy to help people process psychological conflicts and trauma. Developed in Europe during the 1960s-1970s and used successfully at over 30 clinics, this approach was largely abandoned when psychedelics became illegal but is now being reconsidered. Historical research shows it was effective for anxiety, depression, and personality issues in treatment-resistant patients, with safety profiles comparable to conventional therapy.

Psychedelics: From Cave Art to 21st-Century Medicine for Addiction

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This comprehensive review examines how psychedelic substances, from magic mushrooms to LSD, are being studied as treatments for addiction. After decades of restriction, researchers are rediscovering what indigenous cultures have known for thousands of years: these substances can help people overcome alcohol, drug, and tobacco addiction. The research shows promising results, particularly when combined with therapy, with abstinence rates significantly higher than traditional treatments.

Disease: PTSD