Mystical-type Experiences Research Articles

Developing a short form of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-SF) in psychedelic samples.

This study aimed to develop and validate a short-form version of the AWE-S (AWE-SF) within psychedelic samples, to reduce participant burden while maintaining psychometric integrity. Across five studies, we first replicated the original six-factor structure of the AWE-S through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (Study 1), leading to the creation of the 12-item AWE-SF (Study 2-3). We then established the AWE-SF's initial and predictive validity by correlating it with relevant emotional, psychedelic, and well-being outcomes (Study 4-6). The AWE-SF demonstrated strong positive associations with positive emotions and was also linked to openness to experience. Moreover, the AWE-SF effectively predicted both mystical-type and challenging psychedelic experiences, as well as long-term well-being outcomes such as life satisfaction and psychological richness. In particular, the facets of connection and vastness were associated with positive emotional states and mystical-type experience, while accommodation and self-loss were associated with negative emotional states and challenging psychedelic experience. These findings suggest that the AWE-SF is a robust, reliable, and accessible tool for measuring awe experience.

Naturalistic psychedelic therapy: The role of relaxation and subjective drug effects in antidepressant response.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is permitted in Switzerland under its limited medical use program. Data from patients in this program represent a unique opportunity to analyze the real-world practice of PAT. This study compared the subjective effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin between patients undergoing PAT and healthy volunteers. For the patients, it also investigated the relationship between antidepressant effects and six measures of acute drug effects. We compared data on acute psychedelic drug effects between 28 PAT patients with data from 28 healthy participants who participated in a randomized, double-blind crossover trial. All participants received varying doses of psilocybin and LSD. Subjective effects were assessed on an hourly basis during the acute drug effects, and the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) was completed retrospectively. For patients, depressive symptoms were assessed using the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Ratings of overall drug effect and mystical experience were similar across groups. Compared with healthy controls, patients reported lower ratings of ego dissolution. Patients showed a significant decrease in MADRS scores, and the greatest predictor of antidepressant outcome was relaxation during the PAT session. We did not observe a relationship between mystical-type experiences and antidepressant effects. Most patients experienced mild adverse effects which resolved within 48 h. PAT reduced depressive symptoms in this heterogeneous patient group. Patients may experience more challenging psychedelic effects and reduced ego dissolution. Hourly assessment of drug effects may predict clinical outcomes better than retrospectively assessed mystical experiences, and the impact of relaxation during PAT should be investigated further.

Naturalism and the hard problem of mysticism in psychedelic science.

Psychedelic substances are known to facilitate mystical-type experiences which can include metaphysical beliefs about the fundamental nature of reality. Such insights have been criticized as being incompatible with naturalism and therefore false. This leads to two problems. The easy problem is to elaborate on what is meant by the "fundamental nature of reality," and whether mystical-type conceptions of it are compatible with naturalism. The hard problem is to show how mystical-type insights, which from the naturalistic perspective are brain processes, could afford insight into the nature of reality beyond the brain. I argue that naturalism is less restrictive than commonly assumed, allowing that reality can be more than what science can convey. I propose that what the mystic refers to as the ultimate nature of reality can be considered as its representation- and observation-independent nature, and that mystical-type conceptions of it can be compatible with science. However, showing why the claims of the mystic would be true requires answering the hard problem. I argue that we can in fact directly know the fundamental nature of one specific part of reality, namely our own consciousness. Psychedelics may amplify our awareness of what consciousness is in itself, beyond our conceptual models about it. Moreover, psychedelics may aid us to become aware of the limits of our models of reality. However, it is far from clear how mystical-type experience could afford access to the fundamental nature of reality at large, beyond one's individual consciousness. I conclude that mystical-type conceptions about reality may be compatible with naturalism, but not verifiable.

The Psychological Effects of the Administration of Psychedelics on the Minds of Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review

The systematic review aims to integrate the findings of the past 3 years of literature on the phenomenological effects of classical psychedelics on healthy individuals. To ensure a strategic method to review the literature was adopted, guidelines given by Sumaya Laher & Tasneem Hassem were opted for (Laher & Hassem, 2020). For the search strategy, the Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research (SPIDER) method was used to construe keywords for searching relevant literature in PubMed, and Google Scholar. Analysis of the final 4 papers was conducted using the thematic synthesis technique (Thomas & Harden, 2008) and a total of 3 main themes were discovered. The first main theme was “Modes of Communication” in which the participants sensed the presence of other entities. This theme is also further divided into three sub-themes called “Intuitive or Telepathic”, “Explicit or Verbal” and “Kinesthetic”. The second major theme is called the “Mystical-type Experiences” in which the participants experienced amazement and were left in complete awe of the world. This theme further divides into two sub-themes “Euphoria” and “Unpleasant Experiences”. The next main theme was “Inter-relational Purposes of Entities”. This theme encompasses the relationship between participants and the psychedelic-induced characters of their imagination divided into four sub-themes in this theme which are named “Friendly and Nurturing”, “Presenting”, “Jestful and Manipulating” and “Formidable and Intimidating.” The study will put the short and long-term effects of these drugs into the consideration of the research community.

Increases in Aesthetic Experience Following Ayahuasca Use: A Prospective, Naturalistic Study

Psychedelic drugs are currently being investigated for their potential to facilitate a variety of long-lasting psychological changes. One area that has yet to be systematically investigated in psychedelic research, however, regards changes in aesthetic experience (i.e., one’s attitudes, perceptions, and expression of art). This is surprising given the wealth of anecdotes directly noting increased appreciation of aesthetic experiences after psychedelic use and that psychedelics have facilitated their own distinctive aesthetic (i.e., “psychedelic art”). To address this gap in the literature, participants in the current study ( N = 54) completed a validated and multifaceted measure of aesthetic experience 1-week before, 1-week after, and 1-month after attending an ayahuasca retreat. We found that compared with baseline, participants exhibited increased levels of aesthetic experience at both the 1-week and 1-month follow-ups. Contrary to our hypotheses, measures of acute drug effects (e.g., mystical-type experiences, awe, and ego dissolution) did not predict changes in aesthetic experience. Although the study was limited by an open-label design, the results support anecdotal reports noting changes in aesthetic experience after psychedelic use. Further research is needed to address limitations related to the study design as well as to identify predictors and mechanisms of changes in aesthetic experience following psychedelic use.

Effects of Ayahuasca on Gratitude and Relationships with Nature: A Prospective, Naturalistic Study

ABSTRACT Qualitative studies and anecdotal reports suggest that experiences with ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew found in Central and South America, may be followed by individuals enduringly feeling more grateful and connected to nature. Yet, to date, these changes have been understudied. Here, participants (N = 54) completed validated surveys related to gratitude, nature relatedness, and nature appreciation one-week before, one-week after, and one-month after attending an ayahuasca retreat center. Compared to baseline, there was a significant increase in gratitude, nature relatedness, and nature appreciation at the one-week and one-month follow-ups. Ratings of mystical-type experiences and awe, but not ego dissolution, during participants’ ayahuasca sessions were weakly-to-moderately correlated with these increases. The number of ayahuasca ceremonies attended at the retreat was not related to change in outcomes, underscoring the importance of the quality rather than the quantity of the experiences in post-acute change. Lastly, participant age was negatively related to the occurrence of mystical-type experiences and awe, supporting literature indicating blunted psychedelic effects with increased age. In the context of study limitations, the results suggest that mystical-type experiences and awe occasioned by ayahuasca may be linked to prosocial changes in gratitude and relationships with nature that may be beneficial to mental health.

Validation of the Danish Translation of the Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) and Possible Impact of Setting, Dose and Intention

ABSTRACT Research suggests positive changes in both well-being and psychiatric symptoms following a psychedelic experience. One explanation may be the ability of psychedelic compounds to occasion mystical-type experiences. The Revised Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ30) is designed to assess the intensity and quality of such experiences. We examined the validity, reliability, and factor structure of a Danish translation of the MEQ30 in one sample of healthy volunteers receiving psilocybin in a laboratory setting (N = 47) and two samples of recreative users of psychedelics, in which MEQ30 was reported retrospectively through an online survey based on their most recent experience with psilocybin (N = 834) or their most memorable experience with any psychedelic (N = 500). We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis of the previously suggested factor structures, calculated alpha and omega, and tested the associations between MEQ30 total score and setting, intention and dose. We found excellent internal reliability estimates across all samples, and confirmatory factor analysis showed that a four-factor structure, had the best, fair fit to the data. We further found that the MEQ30 total score was correlated with dose and a spiritual/religious intention, but not with setting. The Danish MEQ30 seems to be a valid tool for accessing mystical-type experiences among Danish-speaking individuals.

The potential of psilocybin use to enhance well-being in healthy individuals – A scoping review

AbstractBackground and aimsThis scoping review employed a multifaceted conceptualization of well-being to examine how psilocybin use affects well-being and related sub-concepts in healthy individuals. It investigated which factors influence the relationship between psilocybin use and well-being, what research protocols have been employed, and what underlying mechanisms have been proposed in existing studies.MethodsA comprehensive literature search in line with the PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed articles about psilocybin and well-being in healthy populations.ResultsStudies were heterogeneous in regard to study objectives, study design, study procedure, sample size and psilocybin dosage. In all studies, psilocybin use led to positive well-being-related outcomes for the majority of participants. Facets of well-being positively affected by psilocybin use in this review were self-acceptance, positive relationships, and meaning/purpose in life.ConclusionsThis scoping review provided preliminary evidence for the beneficial effects of psilocybin on well-being and related sub-concepts such as self-acceptance, positive relationships, and meaning/purpose in life in healthy individuals. Ego-dissolution, unity, connectedness, and mystical-type experiences are interrelated concepts that seem to be crucial for explaining such positive well-being-related effects of psilocybin. Under conducive conditions, the use of psilocybin may contribute to healthy functioning, through broad and sustained improvements in a variety of well-being concepts. Due to the heterogeneous nature of the studies, more definite conclusions require further research with a rigorous and homogeneous design.

Co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against challenging experiences and enhance positive experiences

Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences can range from very positive to highly challenging (e.g., fear, grief, and paranoia). These challenging experiences contribute to hesitancy toward psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy among health care providers and patients. Co-use of 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) with psilocybin/LSD anecdotally reduces challenging experiences and enhances positive experiences associated with psilocybin/LSD. However, limited research has investigated the acute effects of co-use of MDMA and psilocybin/LSD. In a prospective convenience sample (N = 698) of individuals with plans to use psilocybin/LSD, we examined whether co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD (n = 27) is associated with differences in challenging or positive experiences. Challenging experiences were measured using the Challenging Experiences Questionnaire and positive experiences were measured using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire and single-item measures of self-compassion, compassion, love, and gratitude. Potentially confounding variables were identified and included as covariates. Relative to psilocybin/LSD alone, co-use of psilocybin/LSD with a self-reported low (but not medium–high) dose of MDMA was associated with significantly less intense total challenging experiences, grief, and fear, as well as increased self-compassion, love and gratitude. Co-use of psilocybin/LSD and MDMA was not associated with differences in mystical-type experiences or compassion. Findings suggest co-use of MDMA with psilocybin/LSD may buffer against some aspects of challenging experiences and enhance certain positive experiences. Limitations include use of a convenience sample, small sample size, and non-experimental design. Additional studies (including controlled dose–response studies) that examine the effects and safety of co-administering MDMA with psilocybin/LSD (in healthy controls and clinical samples) are warranted and may assist the development of personalized treatments.

Phenomenology and therapeutic potential of patient experiences during oral esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression: an interpretative phenomenological study

BackgroundKetamine and its enantiomers are widely researched and increasingly used to treat mental disorders, especially treatment-resistant depression. The phenomenology of ketamine-induced experiences and their relation to its psychotherapeutic potential have not yet been systematically investigated.AimsTo describe the phenomenology of patient experiences during oral esketamine treatment for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and to explore the potential therapeutic relevance of these experiences.MethodsIn-depth interviews were conducted with 17 patients after a 6-week, twice-weekly ‘off label’ generic oral esketamine (0.5–3.0mg/kg) treatment program. Interviews explored participants’ perspectives, expectations, and experiences with oral esketamine treatment. Audio interviews were transcribed and analyzed using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework.ResultsThe effects of ketamine were highly variable, and psychological distress was common in most patients. Key themes included (a) perceptual effects (auditory, visual, proprioceptive), (b) detachment (from body, self, emotions, and the world), (c) stillness and openness, (d) mystical-type effects (transcendence, relativeness, spirituality), and (e) fear and anxiety. Key themes related to post-session reports included (a) feeling hungover and fatigued, and (b) lifting the blanket: neutralizing mood effects.ConclusionPatients reported several esketamine effects with psychotherapeutic potential, such as increased openness, detachment, an interruption of negativity, and mystical-type experiences. These experiences deserve to be explored further to enhance treatment outcomes in patients with TRD. Given the frequency and severity of the perceived distress, we identify a need for additional support in all stages of esketamine treatment.

The role of non-ordinary states of consciousness occasioned by mind-body practices in mental health illness

BackgroundResearch with hallucinogens suggests that non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSCs), particularly mystical-type experiences, predict improvements in various affective disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs). Little is known, however, about the therapeutic potential of NOSCs induced by mind-body practices such as meditation, yoga and breathwork. MethodsWe conducted a literature review in online databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar) and preprint databases (SSRN, bioRxiv) to identify studies of NOSCs induced by mind-body practices and their effects in affective disorders and SUDs. ResultsA wide variety of mind-body practices involving physical movement (i.e., shamanic drumming, yoga) and deliberate immersive experiences (i.e., meditation, breathwork) have been reported in the literature. Preliminary evidence, mostly from qualitative studies and open label studies, suggest that mind-body practices produce NOSCs. These experiences have also been correlated with short-term reductions in anxiety and depression, with increased motivation to change addictive behaviors, and with enhanced self-awareness and well-being. LimitationsFindings are limited by the scarcity of literature in this field. Further rigorous and methodologically sound empirical research is needed, including comparative studies of NOSCs occasioned by different methods. ConclusionsMind-body practices may represent a promising approach for treating mental health disorders. The NOSCs induced by such practices may lead to beneficial shifts in perceptions, values, beliefs, and behaviors. Given the challenges with hallucinogen-based therapies, mind-body practices may represent a more accessible and acceptable way of eliciting potentially helpful NOSCs in clinical practice.

Association between mystical-type experiences under psychedelics and improvements in well-being or mental health – A comprehensive review of the evidence

AbstractBackground and aimsIngestion or administration of classic psychedelics is sometimes associated with improvements in well-being or mental health. Acute mystical-type experiences that psychedelics occasion have been suggested to be related to such improvements. Meanwhile, other features of the psychedelic experience, such as psychological insights and emotional breakthroughs, are also increasingly being studied. This review aimed to collect and assess the available evidence for mystical-type experiences under psychedelics associating with medium-to-long term improvements in well-being or mental health, on their own and as compared with other features of the acute experience.MethodsI conducted a pre-registered, comprehensive review of existing empirical studies on the topic, based on a systematic search of the literature.ResultsForty-four eligible studies were found, with most reporting positive associations between mystical-type experiences and improvements in well-being or mental health. The current level of evidence appeared stronger among healthy people, in cross-sectional studies, and for links with positive changes in general well-being and life satisfaction, attitudes and behavior, and anxiety, than for depression or other aspects of well-being and mental health. A few studies suggested that psychological insights and emotional breakthroughs may be as or more closely associated with positive changes than mystical-type experiences.ConclusionsDespite their significant limitations, the identified studies suggest that mystical-type experiences under psychedelics are associated with improvements in some areas of well-being. However, psychological insights and emotional breakthroughs might be at least as important and should also be measured in future studies.

Differences in Existential Perspectives as a Function of Having a Mystical-Type Experience

Prior research suggests that unique phenomenological experiences called “mystical-type experiences” (MTEs) have the potential to induce significant and persisting worldview changes. In this article, two studies add to this literature by using cross-sectional data from 837 and 1,086 participants, respectively, to investigate whether people who have had one of these experiences differ in predictable ways from those who have not on relevant existential variables. Specifically, we tested two novel hypotheses rooted in terror management theory, along with two predictions based on past research. In specific, the yes-MTE group was hypothesized to have (a) less fear of death and greater belief in death as a passage, (b) a more intrinsic and growth-oriented worldview, (c) fewer mental health symptoms, and (d) higher trait absorption. The data largely supported hypotheses 1, 2, and 4 while the results for hypothesis 3 were opposite of expectations, suggesting that clinical research with psychedelic-induced MTEs may not be generalizable to MTEs experienced outside the supportive therapeutic context.

Psilocybin and Other Classic Psychedelics in Depression.

Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and ketamine are returning to clinical research and intervention across several disorders including the treatment of depression. This chapter focusses on psychedelics that specifically target the 5-HT2A receptor such as psilocybin and DMT. These produce plasma-concentration related psychological effects such as hallucinations and out of body experiences, insightful and emotional breakthroughs as well as mystical-type experiences. When coupled with psychological support, effects can produce a rapid improvement in mood among people with depression that can last for months. In this chapter, we summarise the scientific studies to date that explore the use of psychedelics in depressed individuals, highlighting key clinical, psychological and neuroimaging features of psychedelics that may account for their therapeutic effects. These include alterations in brain entropy that disrupt fixed negative ruminations, a period of post-treatment increased cognitive flexibility, and changes in self-referential psychological processes. Finally, wepropose that the brain mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of serotonergic psychedelics might be distinct from those underlying classical serotonin reuptake-blocking antidepressants.

Body mass index (BMI) does not predict responses to psilocybin.

Psilocybin is a serotonin type 2A (5-HT2A) receptor agonist and naturally occurring psychedelic. 5-HT2A receptor density is known to be associated with body mass index (BMI), however, the impact of this on psilocybin therapy has not been explored. While body weight-adjusted dosing is widely used, this imposes a practical and financial strain on the scalability of psychedelic therapy. This gap between evidence and practice is caused by the absence of studies clarifying the relationship between BMI, the acute psychedelic experience and long-term psychological outcomes. Data were pooled across three studies using a fixed 25 mg dose of psilocybin delivered in a therapeutic context to assess whether BMI predicts characteristics of the acute experience and changes in well-being 2 weeks later. Supplementing frequentist analysis with Bayes Factors has enabled for conclusions to be drawn regarding the null hypothesis. Results support the null hypothesis that BMI does not predict overall intensity of the altered state, mystical experiences, perceptual changes or emotional breakthroughs during the acute experience. There was weak evidence for greater 'dread of ego dissolution' in participants with lower BMI, however, further analysis suggested BMI did not meaningfully add to the combination of the other covariates (age, sex and study). While mystical-type experiences and emotional breakthroughs were strong predictors of improvements in well-being, BMI was not. These findings have important implications for our understanding of pharmacological and extra-pharmacological contributors to psychedelic-assisted therapy and for the standardization of a fixed therapeutic dose in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Lasting increases in trait mindfulness after psilocybin correlate positively with the mystical-type experience in healthy individuals.

BackgroundPsilocybin-induced mystical-type experiences are associated with lasting positive psychological outcomes. Recent studies indicate that trait mindfulness is increased 3 months after psilocybin intake, preceded by decreases in neocortical serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) binding. However, the association between psilocybin-induced mystical-type experiences and subsequent changes in trait mindfulness remains unexplored, as does the association between pre-drug trait mindfulness and 5-HT2AR binding in the healthy brain.AimWe evaluated whether psilocybin induced lasting increases in trait mindfulness in healthy volunteers, and whether the mystical-type experience was associated with this increase. We further examined the association between pre-drug trait mindfulness and 5-HT2AR binding in neocortex and selected frontolimbic regions.Materials and methodsForty-six medium-high dose psilocybin sessions were conducted in 39 healthy individuals. The mystical-type experience was measured with the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ) at the end of the session. Trait mindfulness was measured using the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale (MAAS) at baseline and 3 months after the psilocybin session. Thirty-two of the participants completed pre-drug [11C]-Cimbi-36 positron emission tomography (PET) to assess 5-HT2AR binding in neocortex and, post-hoc, in the frontolimbic regions amygdala, frontal cortex, and anterior cingulate cortex.ResultsThe MAAS score was significantly increased at 3-month follow-up (p = 3.24 × 10–6), a change positively associated with the MEQ score (p = 0.035). Although the association between pre-drug MAAS score and neocortex 5-HT2AR binding was not significant (p = 0.24), post-hoc analyses revealed a significant negative association between MAAS and right amygdala 5-HT2AR binding (pFWER = 0.008).ConclusionWe here show that lasting changes in trait mindfulness following psilocybin administration are positively associated with intensity of the mystical-type experience, suggesting that the acute phenomenology of psilocybin facilitates a shift in awareness conducive for mindful living. We furthermore show that higher pre-drug trait mindfulness is associated with reduced 5-HT2AR binding in the right amygdala.

The use of classic psychedelics among adults: a Danish online survey study

Background Clinical studies report preliminary therapeutic effects of classic psychedelic drugs in several psychiatric conditions and international drug trends show increased use of these compounds. However, the epidemiology of classic psychedelic drug use in Scandinavian countries remains sparsely investigated. To this end, we investigated the patterns of use and the subjectively perceived acute and persisting effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline, among Danish adults. Methods An anonymous online survey with 152 items was conducted using the secure survey web application REDCap. Results were presented descriptively and as comparisons between psychedelic drugs. Results Five-hundred participants (30.0% female, mean age 34.5 years) were included. Classic psychedelics were mostly used with therapeutic (28.0%) or spiritual (27.2%) intentions. Sixty-seven per cent used classic psychedelics once a year or less. Most participants (56.4%) preferred using psilocybin. Classic psychedelic use was for some individuals, associated with hazardous use of alcohol (39.4%). Among participants with a psychiatric treatment history, 80.9% reported subjective improvements in symptoms following classic psychedelic use. Participants’ most memorable experiences were moderate-to-strong mystical-type experiences (MEQ30 mean ± SD 3.4 ± 1.0; range 1–5) and had positive persisting effects on well-being (mean ± SD 2.1 ± 1.0), social relationships (mean ± SD 1.7 ± 1.2), meaning of life (mean ± SD 1.9 ± 1.1), and mood (mean ± SD 1.8 ± 1.1); range −3 to 3. DMT users experienced significantly greater subjective positive effects. Conclusions Classic psychedelics were mostly used therapeutically or spiritually and had self-reported positive persisting effects, but were also associated with hazardous use of alcohol, among Danish adults. DMT was associated with significantly greater positive effects compared to LSD and psilocybin.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide–Assisted Therapy in Patients With Anxiety With and Without a Life-Threatening Illness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase II Study

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)–assisted therapy in patients who experienced anxiety with or without association with a life-threatening illness. MethodsThe study is an investigator-initiated 2-center trial that used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-period, random-order, crossover design with 2 sessions with either oral LSD (200 μg) or placebo per period. The primary end point was anxiety symptoms 16 weeks after the last treatment session, assessed by the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory–Global score in 42 patients. Further outcome measures included ratings for depression symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 21-item version) and ratings for acute subjective drug effects. The outcomes for the first period (between-subjects analysis) are primarily shown due to carryover effects. ResultsLSD treatment resulted in significant reductions of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory–Global scores up to 16 weeks after treatment (least-square mean [standard error] change from baseline difference = −16.2 [5.8], 95% CI, −27.8 to −4.5, d = −1.18, p = .007). Similar effects were observed for ratings of comorbid depression on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, 21-item version (−7.0 [1.9], 95% CI, −10.8 to −3.2, d = −1.1, p = .0004) and the Beck Depression Inventory (−6.1 [2.6], 95% CI, −11.4 to −0.9, d = −0.72, p = .02). Positive acute subjective drug effects and mystical-type experiences correlated with the long-term reductions in anxiety symptoms. Transient, mild, acute untoward effects of LSD treatment were reported by 8 patients (19%). One treatment-related serious adverse event (acute transient anxiety) occurred (2%). ConclusionsLSD produced long-lasting and notable reductions in anxiety and comorbid depression symptoms up to 16 weeks.

Psychopathological descriptive model of hallucinogenic/psychedelic drugs effect in the treatment of depression and addictions

IntroductionThere is a growing and renewed interest in the use of hallucinogenic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, especially since the FDA approval of ketamine treatment for resistant depression. The response to hallucinogenic psychedelic substances (ayahuasca, psilocybin, LSD, ketamine) in the treatment of depression and addictions calls for a theoretical explanatory model.ObjectivesProvide a descriptive / explanatory psychopathological model of the response to treatment with hallucinogenic drugs based on the descriptions of the subjects and the comparison with other extreme life experiences.MethodsRelevant published literature on subjective experiences in treatment with hallucinogenic drugs for depression and addictions is reviewed. It is compared with subjective experiences in life changing experiences.ResultsIntense emotional states, mystical-type experiences including feelings of oneness, transcendence, ineffability, and the complex emotion of awe seem to be consistently presented as psychic elements related to the efficacy of these treatments. The genetic and cultural (memetic) evolutionary value of these emotions in the cohesiveness of human groups and the genesis of affective symptoms, and in the recalibration of cognitions and emotions, is discussed.ConclusionsThe efficacy of hallucinogenic drugs used in the treatment of depression and addictions is accompanied by complex and varied emotions but with common psychopathological elements that could mediate their action.DisclosureNo significant relationships.

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Improve Depression, Offer Other Benefits

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Found to Improve Depression, Offer Other Benefits