Search Results (16)

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates (1) the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) using psilocybin and ketamine for psychosocial symptoms in adults with cancer, (2) contextualizes findings with non-randomized and exploratory studies of other psychedelics, and (3) examines the role of therapeutic frameworks in shaping outcomes. We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, and EMBASE (2000–2024) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies investigating psychedelic agents in cancer populations. Meta-analyses pooled RCTs of psilocybin or ketamine using random-effects models. Non-randomized studies were synthesized narratively. Risk of bias and evidence certainty were assessed via Cochrane ROB 2.0, NIH Before–After tool, and GRADE. Eleven placebo-controlled RCTs and four single open-label studies were included. Meta-analysis of four ketamine RCTs (n = 354) showed large, rapid effects on depression/anxiety (Hedges’ g = −1.37, 95% CI: −2.66 to −0.08; I² = 92%). Three psilocybin RCTs (n = 101) showed a large effect of psilocybin on alleviating depression (Hedges’ g = −3.13, 95% CI: −10.04 to 3.77; I² = 95%). MDMA and LSD trials suggested promise but lacked rigor. PAT may offer meaningful relief for cancer-related distress, though effects vary by therapeutic model and context. Oncology-specific trials are needed to standardize and scale for implementation. Full article

Psychedelic treatments are emerging as promising interventions for many mental health conditions. These interventions are not offered in a standardized fashion across studies and between different healthcare centers. Beyond differences in substances and doses, there is also a great heterogeneity in the interventions provided by therapists. The current review offers a summary of important elements that should be reported when describing psychedelic-assisted therapies. Clinical trials involving psilocybin for depression are systematically reviewed to synthesize available descriptions of their interventions. This review demonstrates that the exact nature of these psychotherapeutic interventions tends to be poorly defined in most scientific papers on psychedelic treatments. This problem and its implications are examined. The field stands to gain from optimized psychotherapeutic methods; however, insufficient documentation in scientific papers currently hinders the dissemination and improvement of evidence-based protocols. This article offers ideas to encourage the progress of research on psychedelic-assisted therapies. Full article

Psychedelic plants and fungi have been traditionally used in many cultures as part of ritual ceremonies and ancient medicinal treatments. In some regions, these psychoactive plants have already entered mainstream discourse through popular literature and art. Today, numerous academic and medical institutions are establishing dedicated departments to examine the benefits and risks of psychedelic-assisted treatments. Entheogens in healing practices and herbal medicine are part of Slavic cultural heritage. However, due to the predominantly oral transmission of this knowledge, there is a significant lack of written sources and a profound gap in documentation regarding entheogen use on the Balkan Peninsula, where many psychoactive plants and mushrooms grow in their natural habitat. Our work aims to bridge indigenous knowledge systems with contemporary therapeutic discourse, while advocating for sustainable, inclusive, and culturally respectful research practices. This review manuscript presents information on Slavic ancient entheogens, and calls for further multidisciplinary, integrative approaches in researching psychoactive plants and mushrooms of the Balkans. Our paper includes the ethnobotanical uses of native Balkan entheogens, outlines the pharmacological mechanisms of their main active compounds, and discusses their impacts on social behavior, mental health, and overall well-being. We also examine their therapeutic potential and risks, contributing to the contemporary understanding of psychoactive and psychedelic use in mental health treatment and beyond, as tools for life enhancement to improve quality of life and well-being. Full article

While research on psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) continues to show promise, challenges in its clinical application persist. One relevant domain includes how supervision might enhance both client and trainee outcomes. Current data suggest that, despite supervisor reports and the enthusiasm of trainees, supervision accounts for extraordinarily little variance in treatment outcome. We propose that as supervisors model relevant skills, these skills can also improve in the therapist, which should lead to enhanced alliances and improved self-care for the client, trainee, and supervisor. Thus, we propose a model of supervision that rests on key Motivational Interviewing (MI) principles and supports the integration process—a pivotal phase of PAT where clients translate psychedelic-induced insights into meaningful behavioral change. This Motivational-Interviewing-Enhanced Integration Supervision (MIE-IS) model bridges the gap between psychedelic experiences and personal growth by ensuring supervisors can effectively encourage trainees to support their clients through this crucial integration process. Supervisors would model the use of MI with trainees in supervision, who would, in turn, apply those same MI technical and relational skills to support clients’ integration experiences. Beyond enhancing client outcomes, this supervisory model could also increase each trainee’s motivation to personally engage with wellness-promoting integration behaviors, potentially enhancing professional development and minimizing burnout. By reinforcing a culture of self-care and reflective practice, this model might inspire better self-care in supervisors as well. By fostering an MI-informed supervisory relationship, the model promotes a culture of continuous learning and skill development, benefiting clients through the effective and meaningful integration of their psychedelic experiences. Full article

Objective: To provide a state of the art on the use, role, and function of music during psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with ayahuasca. Introduction: Ayahuasca is a medicinal brew with psychoactive qualities used by indigenous communities throughout the Amazon region, and music is deemed crucial during ayahuasca experiences. In PAT, music forms part of the set and setting, but it lacks systematization and is poorly explored in the scientific literature. Inclusion criteria: Published literature in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, focusing on conceptualizing, defining, or describing the use, role, and/or function of music in PAT sessions with ayahuasca. Methods: This review follows the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. We will search Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases without year restrictions, and a hand search of articles will be performed. Two reviewers will assess titles/abstracts, followed by independent reviews of included full texts. An Excel data extraction sheet will be used to tabulate the information. The findings will be presented narratively, including respective tables or figures. If feasible, a potential theoretical framework for the use, role, and function of music during PAT with ayahuasca will be outlined, including implications for future research and clinical practice. Full article

Trauma can impact individuals within a generation (intragenerational) and future generations (transgenerational) through a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors. This review explores the epigenetic mechanisms that have been correlated with the effects of trauma across generations, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. These mechanisms can regulate the expression of stress-related genes (such as the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and FK506 binding protein 5 (FKBP5) gene), linking trauma to biological pathways that may affect long-term stress regulation and health outcomes. Although research using model organisms has elucidated potential epigenetic mechanisms underlying the intergenerational effects of trauma, applying these findings to human populations remains challenging due to confounding variables, methodological limitations, and ethical considerations. This complexity is compounded by difficulties in establishing causality and in disentangling epigenetic influences from shared environmental factors. Emerging therapies, such as psychedelic-assisted treatments and mind–body interventions, offer promising avenues to address both the psychological and potential epigenetic aspects of trauma. However, translating these findings into effective interventions will require interdisciplinary methods and culturally sensitive approaches. Enriched environments, cultural reconnection, and psychosocial interventions have shown the potential to mitigate trauma’s impacts within and across generations. By integrating biological, social, and cultural perspectives, this review highlights the critical importance of interdisciplinary frameworks in breaking cycles of trauma, fostering resilience, and advancing comprehensive healing across generations. Full article

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 to gain insight into the benefits and risks for people with EDs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight adults aged 25–54 (mean age = 36.9), reporting to have had experiences with EDs and psychedelics in both naturalistic and clinical settings. Participants had multiple diagnoses and suffered chronic EDs, (mean age of onset = 13), diagnosed (N = 7) and undiagnosed (N = 1). Reports of cessation or the reduction of ED symptoms were unanimous and long-lasting for seven, with two participants reporting recovery attributed to psychedelic use. Two participants reported relapsing, attributed to environmental factors in the months following. Thematic analysis resulted in two superordinate themes, each comprising three subordinate themes. The first superordinate theme, ‘Exploring’ via the ‘gateway to healing’, illustrates mental, emotional, and transcendental elements of psychedelic experiences. The second superordinate theme, ‘Transformation’ and being ‘able to do the work’, illustrates cognitive and behavioural outcomes, with retrospective safety perceptions. These findings may provide more in-depth information on what benefits and experiences people with EDs can obtain from the use of psychedelic drugs and may inform more robust investigations of psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of EDs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Suicide accounts for 1.4% of global deaths, and the slow-acting nature of traditional treatments for suicide risk underscores the need for alternatives. Psychedelic therapies may rapidly reduce suicide risk. This systematic review evaluates impact of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and ClinicalTrials.gov was conducted up to November 2024. Results: Four randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluated suicidality as a secondary outcome or safety measure, showing significant reductions in suicidal ideation with psilocybin (three studies) and MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT; one study). Effect sizes, measured by Cohen’s d, ranged from =0.52 to 1.25 (p = 0.01 to 0.005), with no safety issues reported. Five additional RCTs assessed suicidality as a safety measure, showing reductions in suicidal ideation with psilocybin (two studies) and MDMA-AT (three studies; p = 0.02 to 0.04). Among 24 non-randomized and cross-sectional studies, results were mixed. Psilocybin (three studies) reduced suicidal ideation, with odds ratios (OR) of 0.40–0.75. MDMA-AT (five studies in PTSD patients) had a pooled effect size of d = 0.61 (95% CI: 0.32–0.89). LSD (six studies) showed increased odds of suicidality, with odds ratios ranging from 1.15 to 2.08. Studies involving DMT (two studies) and multiple psychedelics (three studies) showed mixed results, with DMT studies not showing significant effects on suicidality and studies involving multiple psychedelics showing varying outcomes, some reporting reductions in suicidal ideation and others showing no significant change. Conclusions: The effect of psychedelic therapies on suicide-related outcomes remains inconclusive, highlighting the need for further trials to clarify safety and therapeutic mechanisms. Full article

Background and Objectives: Substance use disorders (SUDs) affect millions worldwide. Despite increasing drug use, treatment options remain limited. Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), integrating psychedelic substances with psychotherapy, offers a promising alternative by addressing underlying neural mechanisms. Materials and Methods: This review’s purpose is to investigate the current understanding of psychedelic therapy for treating SUDs, including tobacco, alcohol, and drug addiction. The systematic review approach focused on clinical trials and randomized controlled trials conducted from 2013 to 2023. The search was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, and Consensus AI, following PRISMA guidelines. Studies involving psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, ibogaine, and ayahuasca for treating various addictions were included, excluding naturalistic studies and reviews. Results: Our results highlight the key findings from 16 clinical trials investigating psychedelic therapy for SUDs. Psychedelics like psilocybin and ayahuasca showed promise in reducing alcohol and tobacco dependence, with psilocybin being particularly effective in decreasing cravings and promoting long-term abstinence. The studies revealed significant improvements in substance use reduction, especially when combined with psychotherapy. However, the variability in dosages and study design calls for more standardized approaches. These findings emphasize the potential of psychedelics in SUD treatment, though further large-scale research is needed to validate these results and develop consistent protocols. Conclusions: This research reviewed the past decade’s international experience, emphasizing the growing potential of psychedelic therapy in treating SUDs pertaining to alcohol, tobacco, and cocaine dependence. Psychedelics such as psilocybin and ketamine can reduce cravings and promote psychological well-being, especially when combined with psychotherapy. However, regulatory barriers and specialized clinical training are necessary to integrate these therapies into mainstream addiction treatment safely. Psychedelics offer a promising alternative for those unresponsive to conventional methods. Full article

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 the term “mind-manifesting”. This review provides an overview of various psychedelic substances used in modern therapeutic settings and ritualistic indigenous contexts, as well as non-pharmacological methods that can arguably induce psychedelic states, including breathwork, meditation, and sensory deprivation. While the occurrence of mystical experiences in psychedelic states seems to be the strongest predictor of positive outcomes, the literature of this field yields several other psychological processes, such as awe, perspective shifts, insight, emotional breakthrough, acceptance, the re-experiencing of memories, and certain aspects of challenging experiences, that are significantly associated with positive change. Additionally, we discuss in detail mystical experience-related changes in metaphysical as well as self-related beliefs and their respective contributions to observed outcomes. We conclude that a purely medical and neurobiological perspective on psychological health is reductive and should not overshadow the significance of phenomenological experiences in understanding and treating psychological issues that manifest in the subjective realities of human individuals. Full article

Psychedelics, combined with talk therapy, indicate promise with challenging clients, such as those struggling with PTSD. Furthermore, groupwork, with the emphasis on social connections, can be an effective modality. There appears, however, little movement with integrating psychedelics with professional counseling and even less in groupwork. Societal perceptions of psychedelics and the concern of practicing outside one’s scope may cause practitioners to hesitate. This article provides a brief overview for the lack of progression in implementing psychedelics in group counseling. I explain what potentially inhibits the utilization of psychedelics, then offer a resolution to these issues by advocating for a psychedelic-assisted groupwork (PAG) model. The argument is that psychedelic approaches can be an innovative and transformative method for group facilitators. I conclude with an overview depicting what a PAG with an interdisciplinary team could entail, including recruitment, screening, selection, therapeutic processes, and termination. Full article

The current psychedelic renaissance intersects with Christian practices in two key ways. First, as psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) becomes more common, Christians undergoing therapeutic medical treatment may seek outside support for integrating into their religious lives mystical experiences that occur during psychedelic sessions. Second, with increasing legal access to psychedelics, more Christians may explore their spiritual potential outside of a medical context, either individually with spiritual guides or collectively in organized retreats. Many will have mystical encounters related to the Divine. Whether the experience involves the overwhelming presence or absence of the Divine, these Christians, too, will seek integration support. This essay argues that the Bible can serve as a rich source for such integration, because it contains significant material about mystical experiences marked by altered states of consciousness. First, I summarize the importance of the psychedelic renaissance, especially the scientific studies being conducted, as it relates to Christian practices of spiritual formation. Second, I explore new work being conducted by biblical scholars regarding embodied religious experiences with the Divine (and others), including mystical experiences. Third, I consider the Apostle Paul’s embodied mystical experience, with special attention to 2 Corinthians 12:1–10, as one example of biblical material that might intersect with or inform psychedelic mystical encounters that contemporary Christians might experience (whether in a medical therapeutic or non-medical spiritual formation setting). Finally, I indicate directions for further research and discussion. Full article

This paper explores Christian responses to religious and spiritual experiences (RSEs) associated with psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT). It addresses the challenges of defining and understanding spiritual and religious experiences and examines the theological implications of PAT-induced RSEs. It highlights the growing acceptance of PAT as a therapeutic approach and its potential benefits for mental health. It also discusses the occurrence of RSEs in individuals undergoing such therapy. In response to these experiences, I propose four possible Christian perspectives: viewing RSEs as illusions, perceiving them as inherently evil, considering them as encounters with the Christian God, or acknowledging their reality while recognizing their broader occurrence beyond the Christian tradition. The paper emphasizes the importance of active dialog and collective responses within the Christian community to avoid hindering individuals seeking mental health relief through PAT. By engaging with these theological questions, Christians can navigate the complexities and potential benefits of RSEs in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Full article

Background: Psychedelics are known for their powerful mental effects due to the activation of 5HT-2A receptors in the brain. During the 1950s and 1960s, research was conducted on these molecules until their criminalization. However, their clinical investigation as therapeutic tools for psychiatric disorders has revived the deontological ethics surrounding this subject. Questions arise as research on their therapeutic outcome becomes a reality. We aim to explore deontological ethics to understand the implications of psychedelics for the clinician, patient, and society. Results: A total of 42 articles were considered for this review. Methods: A methodological search of psychedelic studies from 2017 to 2022 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and ScienceDirect to address the deontological ethics of clinical psychedelic use. Conclusion: Psychedelics need to be culturally contextualized, epistemic harm minimized and represented to ensure informed consent. Open data and commissions are needed to ensure safe and equal distribution. Full article

The profound economic burden of schizophrenia is due, in part, to the negative symptoms of the disease, which can severely limit daily functioning. There is much debate in the field regarding their measurement and classification and there are no FDA-approved treatments for negative symptoms despite an abundance of research. 3,4-Methylenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA) is a schedule I substance that has emerged as a novel therapeutic given its ability to enhance social interactions, generate empathy, and induce a state of metaplasticity in the brain. This review provides a rationale for the use of MDMA in the treatment of negative symptoms by reviewing the literature on negative symptoms, their treatment, MDMA, and MDMA-assisted therapy. It reviews recent evidence that supports the safe and potentially effective use of MDMA to treat negative symptoms and concludes with considerations regarding safety and possible mechanisms of action. Full article