set and setting – mycolab.ai

Psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe alcohol use disorder: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial

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This study tests whether psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) combined with therapy can help people with severe alcohol addiction reduce drinking. Participants receive either a high or low dose of psilocybin during a guided session as part of a hospital rehabilitation program. The researchers will measure changes in drinking behavior, mood, anxiety, and brain function to determine if this treatment works better than current options.

Virtual reality and psychedelics: new perspectives and new possibilities in the treatment of alcohol use disorder

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This article discusses how virtual reality technology that simulates psychedelic experiences could improve treatment for alcohol addiction. Virtual reality simulations can mimic the brain effects of psychedelics like psilocybin, and could help prepare patients for treatment, extend its benefits, or even work as a standalone therapy. This innovation could make psychedelic-assisted therapy more accessible and easier to standardize across different treatment centers.

Rediscovering Psilocybin as an Antidepressive Treatment Strategy

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Scientists have renewed their investigation into psilocybin, a compound found in certain mushrooms, as a potential treatment for depression. Studies show promising results with patients experiencing significant improvements in depressive symptoms, sometimes sustained for months after a single treatment session. When administered in controlled therapeutic environments with professional support, psilocybin appears relatively safe, though it can cause temporary side effects like headaches and anxiety. This research represents an important shift in how we might treat severe depression, especially in patients who haven’t responded to conventional antidepressants.

Patient perspectives and experiences with psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: a qualitative study

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This study explored how patients with severe depression that didn’t respond to typical treatments experienced psilocybin therapy. Researchers interviewed 11 patients about their experiences and found that building trust with therapists, managing expectations, and having multiple treatment sessions were crucial. Many patients found the experience intense and overwhelming, and most wanted ongoing support to understand what they experienced and how it affected their recovery.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy for palliative care within a home treatment setting: A case report

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A 54-year-old man with terminal throat cancer received a single dose of LSD (100 μg) as part of psychedelic-assisted therapy delivered at his home. The treatment helped him experience relief from existential distress and feelings of peace. Six months later, he was in better psychological health, more motivated to pursue meaningful activities, and had discontinued pain medications while maintaining stability. This case demonstrates that psychedelic therapy can be safely administered at home for patients with life-threatening illnesses seeking existential relief.

Nature-themed video intervention may improve cardiovascular safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder

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Researchers tested whether watching nature videos during psilocybin therapy could improve treatment for alcohol addiction. Twenty participants received psilocybin sessions while either watching nature videos or using standard procedures with eyeshades and music. The study found that nature videos significantly reduced the blood pressure increases that normally occur with psilocybin, while maintaining the same therapeutic benefits for reducing alcohol use and promoting meaningful experiences.

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.

Deconstructing Psychedelic Phenomenology: A Thematic Analysis of Discrete Phases of the Psychedelic Experience

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This study examined how people describe their experiences with psychedelic drugs by analyzing personal accounts shared online. Researchers found that experiences naturally fall into three phases: preparation (where knowledge and intentions matter), the actual experience (where sensory changes, mindset, and environment shape what happens), and afterward (where lasting behavioral and attitude changes occur). The study highlights how music, nature, supportive people, and clear intentions can help guide psychedelic experiences toward positive, meaningful outcomes.

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

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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.

Research Keyword: set and setting