substance use disorders

Evolution and Comparative Analysis of Clinical Trials on Psilocybin in the Treatment of Psychopathologies: Trends in the EU and the US

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Researchers are studying psilocybin, a compound from certain mushrooms, as a potential treatment for depression, anxiety, and addiction. The United States has significantly more clinical trials underway than the European Union, reflecting different regulatory approaches and funding levels. While US trials progress faster, EU trials emphasize safety and careful evaluation. Both regions show promising results when psilocybin is combined with professional psychological support in controlled settings.

An Overview of Physiologically-Based Pharmacokinetic Models for Forensic Science

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This review examines how mathematical models that predict how drugs and chemicals move through the body could be better used in forensic science to help explain cause of death and interpret toxicology evidence. Currently, only a few such models have been specifically developed for forensic purposes, though many exist for common drugs like opioids, cocaine, and alcohol. A major challenge is accounting for how drug concentrations change after death, which can make it harder to determine what the concentration was when the person died.

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.

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.

Exploring the neurobiological correlates of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in eating disorders: a review of potential methodologies and implications for the psychedelic study design

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This review examines how psilocybin-assisted therapy might work for eating disorders by looking at various ways to measure changes in the brain. The authors discuss different brain imaging techniques and other tools that scientists could use to understand how psilocybin affects the brains of people with eating disorders. They emphasize that combining multiple measurement approaches provides the best understanding of how this emerging treatment works and can guide future research and clinical applications.

Psychedelics for the Treatment of Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: Efficacy and Proposed Mechanisms

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Psilocybin mushrooms show promise as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition where people experience unwanted intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. Current standard treatments with antidepressants don’t work for many patients and take weeks to show effects. Early research suggests psilocybin may reduce OCD symptoms quickly and works in treatment-resistant cases, though more rigorous studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness and understand how it works in the brain.

Psychedelic iatrogenic structural dissociation: an exploratory hypothesis on dissociative risks in psychedelic use

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This paper explores potential risks of psychedelic use in people who have experienced trauma, proposing that psychedelics might reactivate unprocessed traumatic memories and cause psychological instability. The authors suggest that while psychedelics show promise for treating depression and PTSD, people with trauma histories need careful screening and support before, during, and after use. They recommend body-focused therapies and strong social support to help safely integrate traumatic material that might surface during psychedelic experiences.

The Bright Side of Psychedelics: Latest Advances and Challenges in Neuropharmacology

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Researchers are rediscovering psychedelic compounds from traditional plants and fungi as potential treatments for mental health conditions and addiction. These substances work by interacting with brain chemistry, particularly serotonin systems, to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and drug cravings. Recent clinical studies show promising results, especially for treating opioid addiction with single doses that can produce lasting improvements. However, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to fully understand how these compounds work and to establish safe, effective therapeutic protocols.

The Role of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

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This research review examines how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and ketamine might help treat addiction. Studies show these substances could help people quit alcohol, drugs, and smoking by reducing cravings and promoting long-term abstinence. While results are promising, scientists caution that more rigorous research is needed before these treatments can be recommended for regular medical use, and they acknowledge real risks associated with these powerful drugs.

Methodological challenges in psychedelic drug trials: Efficacy and safety of psilocybin in treatment-resistant major depression (EPIsoDE) – Rationale and study design

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This research paper describes a major clinical trial testing whether psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) can treat depression that doesn’t respond to standard medications. The trial involves 144 patients receiving either psilocybin at different doses or a placebo in a carefully controlled medical setting with psychological support. The researchers developed special methods to address unique challenges in psychedelic research, such as making it difficult for patients to guess whether they received the active drug, and ensuring all patients eventually get access to the potentially helpful treatment.

Disease: substance use disorders