Psychedelics In Psychiatry Research Articles

Autism, youth suicide, and psychedelics: A review of the 21st century evidence.

The concurrent rise in the prevalence of autism and youth suicide has drawn public health and professional attention. The renaissance of psychedelics in psychiatry occurred in the early 21st century and may suggest a hope for the therapeutic effect of psychedelics in autism and suicide. The psychedelics' molecular entities are the compounds that modulate the serotoninergic and glutamatergic systems, which play a crucial role in the pathomechanisms underlying autism and suicide. This systematic review comprehensively discussed the prevalence trends of autism and youth suicide globally and in Taiwan and discussed an association between autism and suicidality based on the 21st century clinical and preclinical literature. Furthermore, this review proposed a possible neurobiological connection between autism, suicide, and psychedelics. Finally, this review discussed the potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics in autism and youth suicide.

Spirituality as a Therapeutic Approach for Severe Mental Illness: Insights from Neural Networks

This article explores the link between spirituality/religiosity and mental health from a clinical and neuroscience perspective, taking into account the advancements in neuroimaging. Specifically, it examines how spirituality influences the treatment of mental illness, emphasizing the importance of neuronal networks in cognitive and emotional processes, with a focus on the default mode network (DMN) of the brain. The discussion explores the role of spirituality/religiosity in managing mental disorders and how alterations in the DMN may provide insight into the impact of spirituality/religiosity on mental health. By also discussing spiritual and non-spiritual meditation, as well as spiritual experiences facilitated by the use of psychedelics in psychiatry and the associated brain networks, we aim to elaborate on the importance and limitations of spirituality within psychiatry.

Psychedelics in Psychiatry, the Nursing Influence, and the Future of Psychedelic Therapies.

Psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) are on the cusp of becoming medicalized treatment modalities within the United States, both as potential U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment and therapeutic options outside the medical model, through decriminalization efforts within individual states. Bringing with it a paradigm shift in the delivery of health care for both physical and mental health treatment. A workforce of highly trained facilitators will be needed to meet the anticipated demand for this type of treatment and nurses can play a key role in meeting this demand. This article serves to introduce psychedelic-assisted therapies to psychiatric-mental health nurses as we start to see this new field emerge. Review of published literature and other media. Results based on historical data, modern applications, and future considerations. Nurses have been involved with psychedelic-assisted therapies in the past and are fully capable of providing a wide range of roles upon the anticipated approval as a treatment modality.

Classical psychedelics in psychiatry - renaissance of interest and therapeutic perspectives.

Substances that change the states of consciousness have been used in the therapeutics of traditional cultures for hundreds of years. In the Western cultural circle, scientific curiosity and hope for a breakthrough in the treatment of various mental disorders constituted the basis of the first wave of research on humans with the use of psychedelics. After synthesizing LSD, psychedelic substances aroused intense but short-term interest among mental health specialists at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. In the preliminary studies, substances such as psilocybin or LSD, used as a supplement to psychotherapy, showed promising therapeutic effects, however, due to legal and political reasons, all research work was stopped in the 1970s. The last two decades have been a period of renaissance in the interest in using sychedelic substances in psychiatry. Despite the early stage of work, the clinical research conducted so far has indicated the potential benefits of using psychedelics in the treatment of anxiety, affective disorders, or addictions. Moreover, so far, no serious side effects of this form of therapy have been reported. However, due to a number of barriers of both medical and legal nature, the creation of the first psychiatric drug with psychedelic properties appears to be extremely complicated. Further, precisely constructed studies on large groups of patients are needed to determine whether psychedelics can find practical applications in psychiatric therapy (or even become a long-awaited breakthrough in the treatment of mental disorders).

Ethical and Practical Considerations for the Use of Psychedelics in Psychiatry.

In recent years, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies have reentered the realm of rigorous scientific inquiry, garnering much attention from both the psychiatric community and the broader public. Headlines on major media platforms frequently tout the psychedelic future of psychiatry, and patients increasingly ask about the prospect of using psychedelics during their sessions. Despite this enthusiasm, psychedelics remain in an investigational stage, and more research and regulatory work are required before psychedelics can be deemed appropriate for general clinical use. In this climate, psychiatrists are increasingly curious about the prospects of psychedelic treatments. This review's goal was to help psychiatrists better understand the complexities of the burgeoning field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The discussion encompasses issues surrounding psychedelics in their current investigational stage and issues for psychiatrists to consider should psychedelics become available for broad clinical use. This review discusses research equipoise in the context of the current enthusiasm for psychedelics, informed consent, patient vulnerability, equity and access, differences between clinical and nonclinical psychedelic uses, and psychedelic self-enhancement. As psychedelics move closer toward regulatory approval beyond research settings, it is vital that these promising treatments be used ethically. The unique features of psychedelic therapies, including the altered states of consciousness they produce and the vulnerability that such states entail for patients, require careful consideration to minimize potential ethical pitfalls. This review seeks to ensure that psychiatrists are equipped to use psychedelic psychotherapy both ethically and effectively.

Psychedelics in Psychiatry - Development and Current State in Germany

Clinical research on the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics is currently experiencing a renaissance. Available scientific evidence on their efficacy in various psychiatric conditions, as well as their legally approved use in some countries of the world, show the possibility of their future application in clinical practice also in Germany. The field is facing substantial challenges that have to be addressed, such as defining and setting a suitable clinical frame. This manuscript deals with the historical background of the clinical application of psychedelics, as well as the psycho-phenomenology, modes of action, possible indications and aspects of safety. The current research status in Germany and the organization of professional societies are discussed in a historical and international context and attention is drawn to unresolved critical issues in the field.

Skip the Trip? Five Arguments on the Use of Nonhallucinogenic Psychedelics in Psychiatry.

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Psychedelic Psychiatry

We are amidst a 'Renaissance' in the field of psychedelic psychiatry. For several decades, following a period of promising research, governmental barriers and regulations halted any research into the utility of these substances in psychiatry. Over the past few decades, however, we are seeing a revival of these studies due to an abundance of positive findings as well as the need for improved psychiatric treatments. Studies have established substances such as psilocybin and LSD to be effective in treating depressive disorders, sometimes even more so than current 'gold standards'. MDMA is being recognized as a powerful tool, in conjunction with psychotherapy, for addressing PTSD symptomatology. This paper will provide a brief history of the use of psychedelics in psychiatry and discuss some of the most important recent research findings.

Early LSD treatment in Denmark from 1960 to 1974: An analysis of possible and long-lasting changes in the adult personality following psychedelic treatment. A historical retrospective cohort study.

In view of the renewed interest in psychedelics in psychiatry it is timely to analyze psychedelic treatment in historical cohorts. Recently the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics has been linked to the so-called phenomenon of “connectedness.” The aim of the present study was to explore whether long-lasting personality changes were observed in any of the 151 Danish psychiatric patients who were treated with Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from 1960 to 1974.The exploration included a reanalysis of a subgroup as well from a 1964 Danish historical cohort. Medical records and other case materials of the above mentioned 151 patients are kept in the Danish State Archives. The present author was granted access to the LSD case materials in the Danish State Archives, and respected confidentiality per the Archives Law. According to the LSD Damages Law from 1986, they all received financial compensation for LSD-inflicted harm.Analysis did not reveal any personality changes such as “connectedness;” however, other lasting personality changes were observed in 2 to 4 patients and in quite a few patients unwanted effects persisted for weeks or months following acute treatment. In the present analysis of the 1964 cohort, the same percentage of patients improved with LSD treatment as in the historical analysis. In the latter, however, little attention was given to side effects, such as suicide attempts, suicides, and one homicide.Future psychedelic research with psychiatric patients should respect the potential toxicity of LSD and other psychedelics and meticulously monitor possible side effects.

Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms.

Mounting evidence suggests safety and efficacy of psychedelic compounds as potential novel therapeutics in psychiatry. Ketamine has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration in a new class of antidepressants, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is undergoing phase III clinical trials for post-traumatic stress disorder. Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are being investigated in several phase II and phase I clinical trials. Hence, the concept of psychedelics as therapeutics may be incorporated into modern society. Here, we discuss the main known neurobiological therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics, which are thought to be mediated by the effects of these compounds on the serotonergic (via 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A receptors) and glutamatergic [via N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors] systems. We focus on 1) neuroplasticity mediated by the modulation of mammalian target of rapamycin-, brain-derived neurotrophic factor-, and early growth response-related pathways; 2) immunomodulation via effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, nuclear factor ĸB, and cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin 1, 6, and 10 production and release; and 3) modulation of serotonergic, dopaminergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and norepinephrinergic receptors, transporters, and turnover systems. We discuss arising concerns and ways to assess potential neurobiological changes, dependence, and immunosuppression. Although larger cohorts are required to corroborate preliminary findings, the results obtained so far are promising and represent a critical opportunity for improvement of pharmacotherapies in psychiatry, an area that has seen limited therapeutic advancement in the last 20 years. Studies are underway that are trying to decouple the psychedelic effects from the therapeutic effects of these compounds. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Psychedelic compounds are emerging as potential novel therapeutics in psychiatry. However, understanding of molecular mechanisms mediating improvement remains limited. This paper reviews the available evidence concerning the effects of psychedelic compounds on pathways that modulate neuroplasticity, immunity, and neurotransmitter systems. This work aims to be a reference for psychiatrists who may soon be faced with the possibility of prescribing psychedelic compounds as medications, helping them assess which compound(s) and regimen could be most useful for decreasing specific psychiatric symptoms.

The History of Psychedelics in Psychiatry.

Initial interest in the value of psychedelic drugs ("psychotomimetics") in psychiatry began in the early 20th century, with explorations of the possibility that mescaline or peyote could produce psychosis-like effects. Over time, interest was focused on whether the effects of psychedelics could inform as to the underlying basis for psychiatric disorders. As research continued, and especially after the discovery of LSD in 1943, increasing interest in a role for psychedelics as adjuncts to psychotherapy began to evolve and became the major focus of work with psychedelics up to the present day.

Psychedelics in Psychiatry—Keeping the Renaissance From Going Off the Rails

Psychedelics in Psychiatry—Keeping the Renaissance From Going Off the Rails

The Current Status of Psychedelics in Psychiatry

The Current Status of Psychedelics in Psychiatry

Shamans, sacraments, and psychiatrists.

This article reviews the role of psychedelic drugs as potential tools for psychiatric research and practice. The decline in the utilization of these substances is linked to social reactions, which led to psychedelics being scheduled as controlled substances and consequently unavailable for human research. Three different paradigms for the use of psychedelics in psychiatry are reviewed: the psychotomimetic, the psycholytic, and the psychedelic approaches. The psychotomimetic paradigm, which viewed hallucinogens as agents for temporarily inducing psychoses, proved to be of limited value to the understanding and treatment of mental illness. The psycholytic approach, which was derived from the psychoanalytic paradigm, is a technique employing low doses of psychedelic drugs to reduce psychological defenses and to release unconscious information. The high-dose psychedelic paradigm frequently produced reports of mystical or spiritual experiences, thus recasting the psychiatrist as the modern-day shaman. This paradigm has alienated many in the psychiatric profession and has led to a reaction against the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy. If the opportunity should arise to pursue sanctioned clinical research with these unique psychoactive substances, however, it will be imperative to learn from the traditional models of shamanic healers in order to optimally assess true clinical efficacy and safety.