BACKGROUND: To investigate the association between pre-trial expectancy, suggestibility, and response to treatment in a trial of escitalopram and investigational drug, COMP360, psilocybin, in the treatment of major depressive disorder (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT03429075). METHODS: = 55) from our recent double-blind, parallel-group, randomized head-...
Background: To date, few randomized controlled trials of psilocybin with non-directive support exist for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Results and participant feedback from an interim analysis of an ongoing single-dose trial (NCT03356483) converged on the possibility of administering a higher fixed dose and/or more doses of psilocybin in future trials...
Introduction The use of the psychedelic compound psilocybin in conjunction with psychotherapy has shown promising results in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, though the underlying mechanisms supporting these effects remain unclear. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance that is dephosphorylated in vivo to form an active metabolite, psilocin. Psilacetin,...
Psilocybe cubensis are a group of mushrooms containing psilocybin with a history of consumption dating back to ancient civilization. Researchers believe the ritual use of psilocybin dates back 3,000 years amongst the indigenous people of Mexico and Central America.1 Psilocybin is responsible for the effects associated with the consumption of “Magic Mushrooms...
Depression is a debilitating mental health condition affecting millions worldwide. While antidepressant medications are widely prescribed, they often come with significant side effects and limited efficacy. Tessa Watford, a researcher in the field of neuroscience, has conducted a systematic review exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, a naturall...
Introduction to the Special Section on Psychedelics Research and Treatment Dominic Sisti Against a backdrop of post-pandemic malaise, diseases of despair, and a fragmented mental health care system, psychedelics have enjoyed a resurgence of interest as powerful psychotherapeutic agents and as catalysts of personal growth. The true power of these substances-s...
Psychedelics are a class of hallucinogenic drugs. They have been explored particularly for treatment-resistant psychiatric illnesses. In recent years, advances in psychopharmacology have benefited thousands of patients with some type of mental disorder. Preliminary evidence has shown that psilocybin has shown promise in the treatment of psychiatric disorders...
Abstract A review of the literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suggests it to be a complex disorder with many contributing factors. The concept of PTSD has continued to evolve over time. A diagnosis of PTSD may be hard to get right. Studies suggest a wide variation in its presentation and diagnostic stability. It is tempting to explore the possi...
Psilocybin is being studied for its therapeutic potential in various mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. Initial studies suggested that psilocybin is generally safe when used under controlled conditions, but more research is needed to better understand its safety profile. We report safety pharmacology data from a pooled analy...
Abstract Mystical-like states of consciousness may arise through means such as psychedelic substances, but may also occur unexpectedly during near-death experiences (NDEs). So far, research studies comparing experiences induced by serotonergic psychedelics and NDEs, along with their enduring effects, have employed between-subject designs, limiting direct com...
The serotonergic psychedelic psilocybin acutely induces changes in emotional states. However, it remains unresolved whether psilocybin acutely modulates emotionally-relevant amygdala reactivity to emotions, a brain region critically involved in emotion processing. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined in 26 healthy individuals wheth...
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychoactive compound, which has been used for ages in traditional settings for religious and therapeutic use. Recent studies have renewed interest in psilocybin for its potential therapeutic benefits in treating depression and anxiety. The pharmacodynamics of psilocybin are complex, involving its rapid conversion to psilo...
Inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), by contributing to tissue damage and exacerbating the immune response. The investigation of serotonin receptor 2A (5-HT2A) ligands and transient receptor potential (TRP) channel ligands is of significant interest due to their potential to modulate key in...
Research on psychotropics is gaining more popularity worldwide and support from drug regulatory agencies, which recognise the unmet medical needs of certain patient communities, such as patients with mental disorders and patients with cancer who experience depression. Cannabinoids and psilocybin have shown promising results in preclinical studies and clinica...
LAY SUMMARY Patients with headache disorders, such as migraine or cluster headache, often have poor quality of life and can be disabled by their condition. Military members and Veterans have a high risk of developing a headache disorder, particularly because they are also at risk for brain injury through head trauma. New headache treatments are needed, becau...
Background: Psilocybin has demonstrated promising clinical outcomes for nicotine and alcohol use disorders, yet its potential clinical utility in the treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) remains unreported in modern literature. This technical report presents methodological considerations and preliminary data from a safety-feasibility trial examining the in...
Abstract Background and aims Psychedelic-assisted therapy (P-AT) has been shown to reduce post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety symptoms, and is likely to be approved in the United States (US) in the coming years. However, concerns about participant safety in these early trials have surfaced, including allegations of sexual misconduc...
