substance use disorder

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.

Sex-specific effects of psychedelic drug exposure on central amygdala reactivity and behavioral responding

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Researchers studied how psilocybin’s active form affects the brain’s fear center in both male and female rats. They found that a single dose produced different effects in males versus females, with males showing lasting reductions in fear responses over 28 days while females showed variable changes. These findings help explain why psychedelics might work differently between sexes and could inform how they’re used to treat anxiety and depression in humans.

Associations between psychedelic-related and meditation-related variables: A longitudinal study

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This study of over 13,000 people examined how using psychedelics relates to meditation practices. Researchers found that people who used psychedelics during the study period increased their meditation practice more than those who didn’t. Importantly, people who already had higher levels of mindfulness and self-compassion before using psychedelics had less difficult experiences during their use. However, among people who were already meditating regularly, psychedelic use was linked to more difficulties during meditation.

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.

Implementing psychedelic-assisted therapy: History and characteristics of the Swiss limited medical use program

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Switzerland operates a unique program allowing controlled use of psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) and MDMA to help patients with serious mental health conditions that haven’t responded to standard treatments. Since 2014, about 100 doctors have treated 700+ patients with these substances as part of therapy sessions. The program requires careful patient screening, informed consent, and outcome reporting, with patients typically receiving 2-4 treatments over 12 months. Most patients showed significant improvement in their conditions, though some experienced side effects like nausea or headaches.

Vaping danger: A hidden threat among Malaysia’s youth

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A 15-year-old student in Malaysia was hospitalized after vaping a product labeled as having a magic mushroom flavor. Testing revealed the vape actually contained MDMB-4en-PINACA, a highly potent synthetic cannabinoid that is 100-200 times stronger than natural cannabis. This case highlights the danger of unregulated vaping products being mixed with illegal substances that can cause serious health effects including seizures, heart problems, and organ damage. Doctors and the public need to be aware of these hidden threats in vaping products.

The Potential Role of Psilocybin in Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery: A Narrative Review

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This review examines how psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, may help people recover from traumatic brain injuries. The research suggests that psilocybin could reduce harmful inflammation in the brain, help the brain form new connections to compensate for damage, and improve mood and depression commonly experienced after brain injuries. While promising, the authors emphasize that more clinical trials are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness before psilocybin can be used to treat brain injury patients.

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.

Treating job-related stress with psychedelic group therapy: a case series on group ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for healthcare workers and first responders

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Researchers tested a new group therapy approach using ketamine to help firefighters, police officers, paramedics, and healthcare workers dealing with job stress and burnout. Over seven weeks, 32 participants received three ketamine sessions combined with group therapy. The results showed significant improvements in anxiety, depression, trauma symptoms, and burnout within the group. This low-cost group approach not only helped individual symptoms but also created a supportive community where workers felt understood by others in similar situations.

Disease: substance use disorder