depression – Page 2

Ketamine induces multiple individually distinct whole-brain functional connectivity signatures

mycolabadmin

This study examined how ketamine, a promising depression treatment, affects different people’s brains in different ways. Rather than averaging brain scans across all participants, researchers looked at individual differences and found that each person showed unique patterns of brain activity changes. The research suggests that personalized approaches to ketamine treatment, based on individual brain responses, could help identify which patients would benefit most from the therapy.

Dissecting the difference between positive and negative brain health sentiment using X data

mycolabadmin

This study examined over 390,000 posts on X (formerly Twitter) about brain and health to understand how people express positive and negative feelings. Researchers found that negative posts were shared more often and were linked to serious health concerns like COVID-19 and brain inflammation. People expressing negative sentiment mentioned medications like lorazepam and comfort foods like pizza, while those with positive sentiment discussed resilience, mindfulness, and different medications. The research highlights both the benefits and dangers of sharing health information on social media.

An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review

mycolabadmin

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.

The therapeutic potential of microdosing psychedelics in depression

mycolabadmin

This review examines whether taking very small doses of psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin might help treat depression. While users report benefits and some studies show subtle positive effects on mood and thinking, scientists have not yet confirmed whether microdosing actually works as a depression treatment. More research with depressed patients is needed to understand if this approach is truly helpful and safe for regular use.

Psychedelic Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Reduces Depressive Symptoms in Adults with Cancer and Depression

mycolabadmin

Researchers conducted a trial testing psilocybin-assisted therapy in cancer patients with depression. Participants received a single dose of psilocybin combined with therapy sessions. After eight weeks, most patients showed significant improvement in depression symptoms, with many achieving full remission. The treatment was generally safe with only mild side effects, and patients reported feeling more hopeful and better equipped to cope with their cancer diagnosis.

Catalyst for change: Psilocybin’s antidepressant mechanisms—A systematic review

mycolabadmin

This research review examines how psilocybin, a compound from certain mushrooms, may help treat depression by creating changes in both brain function and psychological experience. Within supportive therapeutic settings, psilocybin appears to increase cognitive flexibility, help people better process emotions, and restore a sense of connection to themselves, others, and the world. The antidepressant benefits seem to work through a combination of direct brain changes and psychotherapeutic factors, rather than through pure pharmacological action alone.

Psychedelic use in Poland: prevalence, correlates and social attitudes

mycolabadmin

This study found that about 6% of Polish adults have tried psychedelic drugs like LSD or magic mushrooms, mostly young men in cities driven by curiosity. Most users took these substances at home and described mixed experiences. While negative attitudes toward psychedelics were common overall, people with meditation experience and previous psychedelic use had more positive views about their therapeutic potential.

Behavioral Phenotyping and Metabolomic Comparison of Chemically Synthesized Psilocybin and Psychedelic Mushroom Extract in a Zebrafish Depression Model

mycolabadmin

Researchers compared chemically made psilocybin with whole mushroom extract in zebrafish to test for depression-like effects. Both treatments reversed depressive behaviors and produced similar changes in brain chemicals, though the mushroom extract showed more neurotransmitter precursors. This study demonstrates that zebrafish can be useful models for studying how psychedelics might help treat depression.

Palliative care patients’ attitudes and openness towards psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress

mycolabadmin

A study asked 31 palliative care patients about their views on using psilocybin (a compound from magic mushrooms) as a treatment for existential distress—the emotional and spiritual suffering that comes with terminal illness. Over half the patients were interested in trying this therapy, especially if they believed it could help with anxiety and stress. However, patients were concerned about risks like psychosis, the lack of trained therapists, and the potential for doctors to take advantage of them during treatment. The researchers concluded that while psilocybin-assisted therapy shows promise, there needs to be better education and strict safeguards to protect vulnerable patients.

Psychotomimetic compensation versus sensitization

mycolabadmin

This paper proposes a new way to understand why drugs that can cause psychosis-like effects (such as psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine) can also help treat depression and anxiety. The authors suggest that these drugs trigger compensatory responses in the brain that temporarily help us cope with stress, similar to how a runner’s high feels good during exercise. However, if someone uses these drugs repeatedly or experiences chronic stress, they may become sensitized and more vulnerable to developing actual psychotic symptoms over time.

Research Keyword: depression