Research Keyword: systematic review

Microbiota-based interventions for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review of efficacy and clinical potential

This comprehensive review examines how modifications to gut bacteria through probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal transplants can help children with autism. The research found that while all these treatments showed some promise, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) produced the most consistent improvements in both autism-related behaviors and digestive symptoms. These microbiota-based approaches work through the gut-brain connection and were generally safe, making them potentially valuable additions to autism management strategies.

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Trajectory of Antidepressant Effects after Single- or Two-Dose Administration of Psilocybin: A Systematic Review and Multivariate Meta-Analysis

This comprehensive analysis of 10 clinical trials shows that psilocybin, a compound from magic mushrooms, can rapidly reduce depression symptoms starting within one day of administration and maintain these benefits for up to 6 months. Higher doses and two treatment sessions produced better results than single lower doses. While psilocybin did raise blood pressure temporarily, it was generally well-tolerated with dropout rates similar to placebo.

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Psilocybin for clinical indications: A scoping review

This comprehensive review examined over 190 research studies on psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) as a medical treatment. The research shows promise for treating depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and chronic pain, though most studies conducted so far have been small in size. While the evidence is encouraging, researchers emphasize the need for larger, better-designed clinical trials to fully understand psilocybin’s benefits and safety profile.

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Reporting of psychotherapeutic methods in psychedelic treatments: on the road to ethical, professional and regulatory oversight

Researchers reviewed 45 studies on how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD are used to treat mental health conditions. They found that scientists were not describing the psychological counseling that accompanies these treatments in a consistent or detailed way, making it hard to understand how treatments really work. The study calls for better documentation standards so that treatments can be properly regulated, replicated, and made safer for patients.

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The effectiveness of interventions to reduce the transmission of acute respiratory infections in care homes: a systematic review

This systematic review examined effective ways to prevent respiratory infections like flu and COVID-19 in care homes where elderly residents live. The researchers found that antiviral medications like oseltamivir can halve the risk of influenza even in vaccinated residents if given within 7 days of detecting a case. High-dose vitamin D supplementation (100,000 IU monthly) reduced respiratory infection risk by 40%. Educational programs to improve staff hygiene practices showed mixed results, while other supplements like probiotics did not significantly help.

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Social pain: A systematic review on interventions

This study reviews different treatments for social pain—the emotional hurt from rejection and social exclusion. Researchers found that regular pain reliever acetaminophen, mindfulness meditation, and the psychedelic compound psilocybin can reduce social pain, while placebo pills also help when people believe they work. Interestingly, combining acetaminophen with forgiveness works better than either alone, suggesting that both physical and emotional pain may use similar brain pathways.

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Comparative oral monotherapy of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ayahuasca, and escitalopram for depressive symptoms: systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

This study compared psychedelic drugs (psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, ayahuasca) with the antidepressant escitalopram for treating depression. Researchers analyzed 19 clinical trials and found that while psilocybin showed promise, its actual effectiveness was smaller than previously reported due to blinding issues in earlier studies. High-dose psilocybin performed better than escitalopram in some comparisons, but had a similar small effect size to current antidepressants.

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The Potential of Mushroom Extracts to Improve Chemotherapy Efficacy in Cancer Cells: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines how mushroom extracts can make chemotherapy more effective at treating cancer, particularly by helping overcome cancer cells’ resistance to drugs. Researchers found that various mushroom species contain compounds that work together with chemotherapy drugs to kill cancer cells more effectively through different cellular mechanisms. The results suggest mushroom extracts could be a promising natural complement to conventional cancer treatments, though more research is needed before they can be used clinically.

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The Role of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: An Overview of Systematic Reviews

This research review examines how psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and ketamine might help treat addiction. Studies show these substances could help people quit alcohol, drugs, and smoking by reducing cravings and promoting long-term abstinence. While results are promising, scientists caution that more rigorous research is needed before these treatments can be recommended for regular medical use, and they acknowledge real risks associated with these powerful drugs.

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A systematic review to assess the use of psilocybin in the treatment of headaches

Researchers reviewed eight studies examining whether psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, could treat various types of headaches and migraines. Most studies found that psilocybin provided clinically significant relief, with participants experiencing improvements in how often they got headaches, how intense they were, and how long they lasted. However, some users experienced side effects like hallucinations or temporary increases in anxiety, and the compound remains illegal in most countries, limiting current research.

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