Research Keyword: anxiety

Psilocybin during the postpartum period induces long-lasting adverse effects in both mothers and offspring

Researchers tested whether psilocybin could help postpartum depression in mice, but found it actually made things worse for both mothers and their babies. While psilocybin normally reduces depression and anxiety, it had the opposite effect during the postpartum period, making mothers more anxious and disrupting their care of pups. Babies exposed to psilocybin through breastfeeding or direct exposure developed anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure) as adults. These findings suggest that the postpartum period may be a particularly vulnerable time for psychedelic use, and more research is needed before considering these drugs for postpartum depression treatment.

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

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.

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Multianalytical Investigation of Psilocybe cubensis Mushrooms: Physicochemical Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Psilocybin and Psilocin Compounds

Scientists extracted and analyzed psilocybin and psilocin from Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms to develop a medication for treating mental health disorders like depression and anxiety. Using various analytical techniques, they confirmed the extract contained about 3.26% psilocybin and was safe, pure, and stable. The research shows that creating a psilocybin-based medicine from these mushrooms is feasible and could offer a new treatment option for people struggling with mental health issues.

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Deciphering the role of CAPZA2 in neurodevelopmental disorders: insights from mouse models

Scientists studied a gene called CAPZA2 that helps control how brain cells connect to each other. When this gene doesn’t work properly, mice had trouble learning, remembering things, and interacting socially, similar to intellectual disability in humans. The researchers found that the problem happens because the connections between brain cells become abnormal and don’t mature properly. This research helps explain why some people with mutations in this gene have developmental difficulties and could lead to new treatments.

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Adaptation and latent structure of the Brazilian version of the Ego Dissolution Inventory (EDI-BR): an exploratory study

This study adapted a psychological assessment tool called the Ego Dissolution Inventory for use in Brazil. Ego dissolution refers to the profound sense of losing one’s sense of self that people experience when using psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. The researchers found that the adapted Brazilian version works well and identifies three dimensions of the experience: confidence/assertiveness, ego dissolution, and ego inflation. This validated tool can now help researchers in Brazil better understand psychedelic experiences and their potential therapeutic benefits.

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Conditional deletion of ROCK2 induces anxiety-like behaviors and alters dendritic spine density and morphology on CA1 pyramidal neurons

Researchers created mice with reduced ROCK2 protein in brain cells to understand how this protein affects behavior and brain structure. These mice showed anxiety-like behavior, avoiding open spaces and preferring darkness. The study found that ROCK2 affects the structure of dendritic spines, which are tiny branches on nerve cells that allow communication between neurons, particularly in the hippocampus region involved in learning and memory.

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