altered states of consciousness

Synergistic, multi-level understanding of psychedelics: three systematic reviews and meta-analyses of their pharmacology, neuroimaging and phenomenology

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This comprehensive study analyzed three classic psychedelic drugs—LSD, psilocybin (from magic mushrooms), and DMT—across three levels: how people experience them, how they affect brain activity, and how they interact with brain receptors. Researchers found that LSD produces more intense visual experiences than psilocybin, and all three drugs significantly alter brain connectivity patterns. The study highlights the importance of standardizing research methods to better understand how these compounds might help treat depression and addiction.

Enhanced visual contrast suppression during peak psilocybin effects: Psychophysical results from a pilot randomized controlled trial

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Researchers studied how psilocybin affects the way our visual system processes contrast and surrounding visual information. Participants completed vision tests after taking psilocybin or placebo, and the results showed that psilocybin made people more influenced by surrounding visual elements when judging the brightness of objects. Interestingly, the stronger the visual effects people experienced from psilocybin, the more their perception was influenced by these surroundings. This finding might help explain how psilocybin affects mood and could help scientists better understand depression and other conditions affecting vision.

Psychedelics action and schizophrenia

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This review examines how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and LSD affect the brain, particularly through serotonin receptors. While these compounds can produce psychosis-like symptoms similar to schizophrenia, they also promote brain plasticity and growth of neural connections. The article discusses whether psychedelics could potentially treat negative symptoms and cognitive problems in schizophrenia patients, despite their mind-altering properties, possibly through lower doses or non-hallucinogenic alternatives.

Body mass index (BMI) does not predict responses to psilocybin

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Researchers investigated whether a person’s body weight affects how they respond to psilocybin-assisted therapy. Analyzing 77 participants across three studies, they found that BMI did not predict how intensely people experienced the drug or how much their mental health improved afterward. This surprising finding suggests that everyone might benefit from the same fixed dose of psilocybin rather than doses adjusted to body weight, making therapy simpler and more cost-effective to deliver at scale.

The Afterglow Inventory (AGI): Validation of a new instrument for measuring subacute effects of classic serotonergic psychedelics

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Researchers created a new questionnaire called the Afterglow Inventory to measure the positive effects people experience in the days and weeks after using psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD. These ‘afterglow’ effects include improved mood, feelings of spiritual connection, increased creativity, and better relationships. The study with over 1,300 participants showed the questionnaire works well at measuring these effects, which could help researchers better understand how psychedelics might help treat depression and other conditions.

Further education in psychedelic-assisted therapy – experiences from Switzerland

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As psychedelic drugs show promise in treating serious mental health conditions like depression and PTSD, there is growing need to train therapists to safely administer these novel treatments. Switzerland’s leading medical association has developed a comprehensive three-year training program that combines classroom learning with hands-on practice to prepare doctors and psychologists. The program faces overwhelming demand, with far more people wanting to train than available spots, highlighting the urgent need for more specialized education programs as these treatments potentially become mainstream medications.

The phenomenology of psilocybin’s experience mediates subsequent persistent psychological effects independently of sex, previous experience, or setting

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A research study examined how psilocybin experiences affect long-term mental health and well-being in healthy volunteers. Participants received two doses of psilocybin in controlled medical settings while undergoing brain imaging. The study found that psilocybin consistently produced positive, lasting improvements in mood, well-being, and spiritual outlook, regardless of whether people had used psychedelics before, their sex, or the specific imaging setting used.

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.

Research Keyword: altered states of consciousness