psychedelic-assisted therapy – Page 3

Psychological flexibility as a mechanism of change in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depression: results from an exploratory placebo-controlled trial

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This study examined how psilocybin mushroom therapy works for treating depression when combined with talk therapy. Participants received a placebo pill followed by psilocybin four weeks later, both times as part of psychological treatment. The research found that people who received psilocybin showed greater improvements in their ability to accept difficult thoughts and emotions and live according to their values, and these improvements were linked to feeling less depressed.

Group psychedelic therapy: empirical estimates of cost-savings and improved access

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This study examines whether treating multiple patients together in psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions could reduce costs and help more people access these promising psychiatric treatments. Researchers compared group versus individual therapy using MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for depression, finding that group therapy saved about 35-51% on clinician costs. If adopted widely, group therapy could reduce the number of clinicians needed and potentially save billions of dollars while helping thousands more patients receive treatment.

Ketanserin Reverses the Acute Response to LSD in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study in Healthy Participants

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Researchers tested whether ketanserin, a drug that blocks serotonin receptors, could stop or reverse an LSD experience once it had already started. In a controlled study with healthy volunteers, ketanserin given one hour after LSD administration cut the duration of the LSD experience from 8.5 hours down to 3.5 hours and eliminated visual and auditory hallucinations. This finding suggests ketanserin could be useful as an emergency medication in psychedelic-assisted therapy to help patients who have negative reactions to LSD.

Development of the Japanese version of the Challenging Experience Questionnaire

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Researchers have translated an important measurement tool called the Challenging Experience Questionnaire into Japanese. This tool helps doctors and researchers measure difficult feelings like fear and anxiety that people sometimes experience when taking psilocybin mushrooms as part of therapy. Having this questionnaire available in Japanese is important because it allows Japanese patients and researchers to participate in psychedelic research and understand these experiences better.

Acute and Chronic Psilocybin in Mouse Models of Psychiatric Disorders

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Researchers tested psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) in mice bred to show obsessive-compulsive behaviors. A single dose of psilocybin reduced compulsive grooming for about a week, but giving it repeatedly over time did not help with anxiety, depression, or compulsive behaviors. The findings suggest psilocybin might work best as a one-time treatment rather than repeated doses, which has implications for how these drugs might be used in future psychiatric treatment.

Expanded access to psychedelic treatments: comparing American and Canadian policies

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This article compares how the United States and Canada allow patients with serious health conditions like PTSD and depression to access experimental psychedelic treatments outside of clinical trials. Canada’s program has allowed over 200 patients to access psilocybin and MDMA treatments since 2022, while the US has only approved 50 patients for MDMA. The authors argue that Canada’s approach is more ethical and accessible, and suggest the US should streamline its process to help more patients who have failed conventional treatments.

Psychedelics and the Serotonin Hypothesis of Eating Disorders

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This review explores how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (found in certain mushrooms) might help treat eating disorders by promoting flexible thinking and breaking rigid eating patterns. The authors summarize evidence from animal studies and early clinical trials showing that psychedelics work differently than traditional antidepressants by triggering brain changes that help people adopt new, healthier behaviors. While results are promising, more research is needed to determine the best doses, patient populations, and long-term safety.

Psilocybin-induced changes in neural reactivity to alcohol and emotional cues in patients with alcohol use disorder: An fMRI pilot study

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This pilot study examined how psilocybin affects the brains of people with alcohol use disorder. Using brain imaging (fMRI), researchers found that psilocybin increased activity in brain regions associated with decision-making and emotional control while decreasing activity in regions linked to cravings. These findings suggest psilocybin may help people with alcohol addiction by enhancing their ability to regulate emotions and resist urges to drink.

Exploring psychedelic use in athletes and their attitudes toward psilocybin-assisted therapy in concussion recovery

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This study surveyed athletes and sports staff in Canada and the United States about their views on using psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat concussion symptoms. Researchers found that about 36% of athletes had used psychedelics in the past year, with psilocybin being the most common. Most athletes (61%) and staff (71%) said they would be willing to try or support psilocybin therapy for concussion recovery if research showed it was beneficial. The main factor influencing willingness was knowledge about psilocybin and positive attitudes toward it.

Psilocybin therapy and anorexia nervosa: a narrative review of safety considerations for researchers and clinicians

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This review examines the safety of psilocybin therapy for treating anorexia nervosa, a serious eating disorder with limited treatment options. The authors analyze how psilocybin’s common side effects (like increased heart rate, nausea, and dizziness) interact with medical complications already present in people with anorexia. Based on early clinical trials, they conclude that psilocybin can be safely used in this population with proper medical screening and monitoring protocols tailored to their specific vulnerabilities.

Research Keyword: psychedelic-assisted therapy