Research Keyword: psychiatric treatment

Current situation regarding psychedelics and magic mushroom in Korea

This article reviews the current status of psychedelic mushrooms and their potential medical uses in Korea. Several wild mushroom species containing psilocybin have been identified in Korea and can cause hallucinations and other nervous system effects lasting a few hours. While psychedelics show promise for treating depression and anxiety, Korea currently classifies them as controlled substances, and only approved clinical trials can be conducted with government permission.

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Single-dose psilocybin alters resting state functional networks in patients with body dysmorphic disorder

Researchers gave eight patients with body dysmorphic disorder (an excessive preoccupation with appearance flaws) a single dose of psilocybin and measured their brain activity before and after treatment. They found that psilocybin increased communication between key brain regions involved in decision-making and attention control. Patients whose brains showed these changes experienced significant symptom improvement within a week, suggesting psilocybin may help by enhancing mental flexibility and emotional regulation in BDD.

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Interactions between classic psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants: Effects on the acute psychedelic subjective experience, well-being and depressive symptoms from a prospective survey study

This study examines how antidepressant medications (like SSRIs) affect the experience of classic psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD. Researchers found that people taking these antidepressants experienced less intense emotional and mystical effects from psychedelics, but surprisingly, both groups showed similar improvements in mood and well-being several weeks later. This raises important questions about whether patients need to stop their antidepressants before using psychedelics therapeutically.

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We need to talk about shrooms

The article discusses how psychedelic mushrooms have transformed from being seen as dangerous drugs in the 1960s to being studied as potential psychiatric treatments today. While research shows promise for treating depression, trauma, and addiction, the author warns against oversimplified narratives that ignore important context about how these experiences work and potential risks. The piece calls for careful, balanced discussion about psychedelics that considers both benefits and concerns.

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Direct comparison of the acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects

This study directly compared two popular psychedelic drugs, LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms), in 28 healthy volunteers. Researchers found that these substances produce very similar mental effects when given at equivalent doses, with the main difference being that LSD lasts longer. The study establishes that about 20 milligrams of psilocybin is roughly equivalent to 100 micrograms of LSD. These findings could help guide dosing for future psychiatric treatments using these psychedelics.

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Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: The need to monitor adverse events

While psychedelics show promise for treating depression and other mental health conditions, researchers need better systems to monitor and report any harmful effects they might cause. This paper calls for more careful, consistent tracking of both physical changes (like blood pressure) and psychological experiences during psychedelic therapy. The authors emphasize that safety monitoring should continue even after patients leave the clinic and that women may experience different side effects than men.

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Further education in psychedelic-assisted therapy – experiences from Switzerland

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.

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Striking long-term beneficial effects of single dose psilocybin and psychedelic mushroom extract in the SAPAP3 rodent model of OCD-like excessive self-grooming

Researchers tested whether psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) could treat obsessive-compulsive disorder using genetically modified mice that exhibit excessive grooming similar to OCD in humans. A single dose of psilocybin or psychedelic mushroom extract significantly reduced the excessive grooming behavior and anxiety in these mice, with benefits lasting up to six weeks. These findings suggest psilocybin may be a promising new treatment for OCD in humans, offering longer-lasting effects from a single dose compared to current medications.

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Safety, feasibility, tolerability, and clinical effects of repeated psilocybin dosing combined with non-directive support in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: protocol for a randomized, waitlist-controlled trial with blinded ratings

This clinical trial is investigating whether psilocybin (a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms) combined with supportive counseling can help people with treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder. Researchers will give participants two doses of psilocybin while providing non-directive psychological support to help them process their experiences. The study aims to determine whether this approach is safe, tolerable, and effective at reducing OCD symptoms, and to understand the psychological mechanisms that might explain how it works.

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Psilocybin: Systematic review of its use in the treatment of depression

Researchers reviewed scientific studies on psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, as a treatment for depression. The studies showed that psilocybin significantly reduced depressive symptoms faster than standard treatments, with minimal side effects. This suggests psilocybin could be a promising new option for people with depression who haven’t benefited from traditional medications.

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