We explored the intricate interplay of biological, social, and psychological factors contributing to substance use disorder (SUD) and co-occurring psychiatric symptoms. Drug misuse is a global concern, with increasing prevalence rates affecting menta...
It is essential to develop theories and models that enable us to understand addiction’s genesis and maintenance, providing a theoretical and empirical framework for designing more effective interventions. Numerous clinical and preclinical resea...
Meldonium, a promising pharmacological agent initially developed for cardiovascular indications, has sparked considerable interest in recent years due to its potential performance-enhancing effects. This review manuscript delves into the multifaceted...
The human brain is an extraordinarily complex organ responsible for all aspects of cognition and control. Billions of neurons form connections with thousands of other neurons, resulting in trillions of synapses that create a vast and intricate networ...
Adolescents and young adults are particularly susceptible to substance abuse. They have yet to solidify their sense of self to the degree necessary to effectively resist temptations from negative peer pressure. It is vital for mental health counselor...
Previous studies have shown that cannabis consumers are willing to pay more money for higher-quality products; however, the definition of “quality” cannabis has not been defined. Despite the known health risks of THC overuse, THC potency...
Drug abuse represents a significant public health problem with a growing tendency. As a way of circumventing the strict national and international control of psychoactive substances by regulatory agencies, there is a market release of new substances...
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant medicine being explored for its potential therapeutic uses in Western contexts. Preliminary studies link ayahuasca use with improvements across a range of mental health indicators, but studies have not yet...
In post-mortem (PM) investigations, forensic toxicologists attempt to identify legal or illegal substances present before death and determine how they contributed to the cause of death. A critical challenge is ensuring that PM sample concentrations a...
1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) is a simple straight-chain aliphatic sympathomimetic amine, which was used as a nasal decongestant between 1948 and 1983. It reappeared in both dietary supplements as a substitute for ephedrine, and in party pills as...
Dementia is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which is characterised by cognitive decline, memory loss, and behavioural changes. Patients suffering from dementia often experience emotional distress, sadness and depression which also impacts the...
Alkyl nitrites (“poppers”) are a diverse class of volatile chemical compounds with a varied legal and medical history. Though once commonly prescribed to treat angina, popper use is now almost exclusively recreational. Currently, poppers...
The world of drugs of abuse is a complex clinical and forensic topic since their misuse can lead to devastating consequences [...]
Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a substantial public health burden with limited treatment options. Recent evidence suggests that single and repeated-dose ketamine infusions have rapid and significant antidepressant effects on individuals with...
Ketamine and esketamine are two closely related compounds with fast-acting antidepressant properties that have reshaped the treatment landscape for individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Originally developed as anesthetic agents, both...
Psychedelics could have revolutionary potential in psychiatry, although, until recently, the pharmacodynamic properties of such compounds have not seemed to differ much from those of serotonin, whose levels are raised by Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors...
In the European Union (EU), cannabidiol (CBD) products extracted from Cannabis sativa L. require pre-marketing authorisation under the novel food regulation. Currently, 19 CBD applications are being assessed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFS...
Rationale: Psychedelic research re-emerged from a period of suppression into the so-called psychedelic renaissance. In parallel, most media reporting has shifted from the overstatement of the risks of psychedelics to overly positive hype. As the empi...
The ravaging COVID-19 pandemic has almost pushed into oblivion the fact that the United States is still struggling with an immense addiction crisis. Drug overdose deaths rose from 16,849 in 1999 to nearly 110,000—of which an estimated 75,000 in...
As the research field with psychedelic substances grows, it is expected to encompass a more extensive cohort of individuals presenting a spectrum of medical conditions, comorbidities, and unique physiological traits, thereby increasing the likelihood...
Objective: To explore the perceived influence of psychedelic experiences on participants’ relationship with the natural world. Method: A total of 272 participants reporting previous use of psychedelics completed free-text response requests via...
Today’s research highlights the therapeutic potential of the hallucinogen psilocybin in the treatment of pathologies associated with mood, cognitive, and affective dysregulation. These domains of function are regulated by the serotonergic syste...
Background: Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome common in all medical settings. An acute change in cognition characterizes a disturbance of consciousness, usually resulting from an underlying medical condition or withdrawal from medicatio...
Background: Ayahuasca is a serotoninergic hallucinogen that plays a central role in the Amazonian traditional medicine. Its psychoactive effects are associated with the presence of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO-A...
Psychotropic medications, commonly prescribed for psychiatric disorders, can have underappreciated dermatological side effects. This in-depth review explores the intricate relationship between psychotropic drugs and the skin, emphasizing the signific...
Dexamphetamine (DEX) is widely used in treatments, but concerns persist about its potential for addiction. This review aimed to assess the risks of DEX addiction by examining the existing literature. Originally planned as a systematic review, it was...
This narrative review explores the utilization of psychedelic states in therapeutic contexts, deliberately shifting the focus from psychedelic substances back to the experiential phenomena which they induce, in alignment with the original meaning of...
Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) has an estimated prevalence between 1 and 2.3%. Existing treatments may not be suitable or effective for all people with OCD, and there is increasing interest in whether these individuals may benefit from the...
Psychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite a history of stigmatization and restriction in use. The present review synthesizes existing literature on the therapeutic potential of p...
Serotonergic psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are increasingly recognised as powerful tools to advance the understanding of consciousness and its relation to brain activity. Psyche...
Background: In the context of increasing scientific interest in the potential therapeutic use of psychedelic agents and their underlying psychotherapeutic mechanisms, we undertake the first detailed assessment of insights and life and lifestyle chang...
Noscapine is a naturally occurring alkaloid isolated from Papaver somniferum, commonly known as opium poppy or bread seed poppy. It edges over other opioids as it lacks addictive, sedative or euphoric effects. This review chronicles the saga of endea...
Czechia has recently approved the medical use of psilocybin, marking a pivotal shift in the country’s drug policy landscape. This development paves the way for regulated therapeutic applications of psilocybin within clinical settings, while sim...
Synthetic opioids such as fentanyl are key drivers of the opioid crisis, contributing to approximately 68% of the nearly 108,000 deaths linked to drug overdose in 2022 (CDC). Though fentanyl is a μ opioid receptor agonist, it demonstrates enhanced...
Background: To estimate the prevalence of co-occurring obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) with substance use disorder (SUD) in the general population. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted on the prevalence of comorbid OCD a...
Food can help release and promote neurotransmitters. As a result, the food’s effect in this regard is of great interest to individuals who have experienced dysregulation of the brain reward circuit due to addiction to drugs or other substances....
Synthetic cannabinoids are a rapidly evolving, diverse class of new psychoactive substances. Synthetic cannabinoid use results in a higher likelihood of adverse events and hospitalization when compared to cannabis use. The mechanisms behind synthetic...
A set of interventions that can produce altered states of consciousness (ASC) have shown utility in the treatment of substance misuse. In this review, we examine addiction-related outcomes associated with three common interventions that produce ASCs:...
College students are a primary population for risky alcohol use behaviors, with one of every eleven students grappling with severe alcohol-related issues. The objective of this scoping review was to synthesize the existing literature to identify fact...
Substance use/abuse and suicide are two closely related phenomena, mostly due to neurobiological, psychological, and social impairments. In the present narrative review, the relationship between suicidal behavior (SB) and the use and abuse of common...
Background: Correctional officers’ life expectancy in the U.S. is 59 years, compared to the population average of 75 years. Correctional officers have higher suicide rates than others and carry a higher risk for substance use. This study examin...
Accumulating psychedelic research has demonstrated a potential for improving mental health and wellbeing, yet studies in the context of eating disorders (EDs) are limited. This study aims to explore the subjective effects of psychedelic experiences t...
Adolescence is a phase of life between childhood and adulthood marked by rapid biological, social and psychological changes. During this phase, individuals bear a more emotional and curious mind and may engage in risky behaviours. Decades of investig...
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) represents major public and socioeconomic issues. Alcohol exerts its pharmacological effects by altering different neurotransmitter systems, such as g-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, opioids, etc. Recent evidence sugge...
Pain is a protective mechanism that can be classified into acute and chronic types. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew rich in dimethyltryptamine or DMT (a 5-HT2A receptor agonist), and harmine (a monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibitor) used for religious a...
Background: Persisting symptoms after concussion is a complex syndrome warranting exploration into further treatment options. Emerging research highlights the potential of classic psychedelics, such as psilocybin, in managing neuropsychiatric conditi...
Background: There is ongoing research into the potential use of psychedelics and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) as alternatives to commonly used medications for treating major depressive and anxiety disorders. Aims: We aimed to assess the...
The use of plant-based medicine dates back centuries, and cannabis (Cannabis sativa) is one such plant that has been used medicinally and illicitly. Although cannabis contains hundreds of cannabinoids and other natural products, its potential medicin...
Psilocybin, an innate compound produced by mushrooms belonging to the Psilocybe genus, is primarily known for its agonistic effects on the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. This receptor’s functioning is involved in many neurological processes. In the...
Background: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of classical psychedelics like ayahuasca for mental health improvement. Naturalistic studies at ayahuasca retreats have shown (short-term) improvements in men...
