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Emerging legal frameworks in Oregon and Colorado license facilitators to support adults receiving psychedelic services. The current legal frameworks are silent regarding facilitators’ personal experience with psychedelics. An e-Delphi process recruited 36 experts with at least 5 years’ experience facilitating psilocybin experiences in ceremonial settings, indigenous practices, or clinical trials. Respondents completed in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews via secure web links. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Experts with a mean of 15.2 (SD 13.1) years’ experience providing psilocybin services expressed the importance of first-hand experience with psychedelics as a qualification for the emerging workforce. One participant questioned the necessity of personal psychedelic experience. Experts suggested that personal experience may indirectly support high-quality care because it enhances facilitators’ personal wellbeing, and may help facilitators understand the complexity and nature of their clients’ psychedelic experiences. Novel state-legal psychedelic paradigms create a real-world opportunity to assess associations between facilitators’ personal psychedelic experience and the safety and outcomes of psychedelic services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We sought to identify patterns of psychedelic use among United States military veterans, compare demographic variables and perspectives of those who did and did not report use, and characterize benefits and adverse outcomes associated with use. Respondents (N = 426) were recruited to complete an online cross-sectional survey. Approximately one-half (51%) reported using psychedelics. Most did so for healing/treatment (70%) and/or spiritual purposes (48%), and most (85%) reported benefiting from use. Those who used psychedelics reported they would be more likely to use VA services (p < .001, d = 0.64) and to return to the VA for care (p < .001, d = 0.79) if psychedelic therapy was offered. Almost two-thirds (59%) reported adverse outcomes associated with use. Equivalent proportions rated their psychedelic experiences as beneficial among those who did (89%) and did not (81%) report adverse outcomes. Fewer adverse outcomes were associated with being older, using psilocybin, feeling prepared and confident in the reasons for use, being in a comfortable setting, and being able to “trust, let go, and be open” (Rc = 0.77; p < .001). Psychedelics may offer benefits but may also lead to adverse outcomes without proper preparation and support. Future research should examine the utility of psychedelic-based approaches for veteran mental health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psilocybin, a major indole alkaloid found in magic mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis), has recently drawn attention as a breakthrough therapy to treat major depressive disorder. This review aimed to summarize and identify knowledge gaps concerning their pharmacokinetic characteristics of psilocybin and its active metabolite, psilocin. Original studies related to pharmacokinetics of psilocybin conducted in vitro, animals, and humans were systematically collected from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, from their inceptions to November 2023. Twenty articles were included in this work and assessed for study quality. A comprehensive review of the pharmacokinetics of psilocybin and psilocin in both animals and humans was performed. Psilocybin is considered a prodrug that is dephosphorylated to psilocin by alkaline phosphatase. Following ingestion, the peak psilocin plasma and brain levels were rapidly achieved in a dose-dependent manner. Psilocin is metabolized primarily through both Phase I and Phase II processes with the half-life of 2–3 hours. This review also identified lack of some pharmacokinetic related information and limitations of available research that may help direct future investigations to better understand the pharmacokinetics and improve study design including dose selection and dosage optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past few years, psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in “magic mushrooms” (psilocybin mushrooms), has undergone decriminalization in numerous cities across the US and has been legalized in Oregon and Colorado. Proponents of psilocybin decriminalization have emphasized its therapeutic potential in treating mental health disorders. Furthermore, psilocybin mushrooms are considered the safest psychedelic option, with lower potency and a reduced risk of overdoses and emergency hospitalizations compared to other prevalent psychedelics, such as LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) and MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine). We analyzed the impact of psilocybin reforms on public interest in psilocybin, as well as their cross-commodity effects on LSD and MDMA, utilizing extensive web-based search data. We observe a significant increase in psilocybin search volume and a notable reduction in search volume associated with LSD and MDMA. Our results are consistent nationwide across states, irrespective of their stance on psilocybin reforms. The shift in public interest toward psilocybin, which is considered the safest psychedelic, away from LSD and MDMA, carries positive implications for public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grief, a common reaction to loss, can frequently become problematic or impairing. Available treatments for prolonged grief disorder are promising but leave room for considerable improvement. Qualitative accounts of psychedelic experiences after bereavement reveal themes that parallel core components of prolonged grief disorder therapy. However, few studies have investigated the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for symptoms of grief. The present study surveyed recreational psychedelic users (N = 363) who had suffered a bereavement event. They reported retrospective grief symptoms before and after the psychedelic experience as well as subjective reactions to the psychedelic, including emotional breakthroughs and challenging experiences. Results indicate improvements in grief symptoms after a psychedelic experience, with a large effect size (Cohen's d = 0.83). The occurrence of emotional breakthroughs was positively associated with improvements in symptoms of grief, while the converse relation was observed for challenging experiences. Findings provide preliminary evidence that support the development of a psychedelic-assisted therapy protocol to target symptoms of grief. Psychedelic-assisted therapy might offer an alternative to current grief treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been growth in the use of psychedelics by the global population in recent years. In addition to recreational and ritualistic use, recent research into psychedelics has brought advances for treating mental disorders. Understanding the specific circumstances in which psilocybin leads to positive outcomes may have important implications for the future of its clinical use and for harm reduction initiatives. This study aimed to investigate the positive effects from the consumption of psilocybin through public online self-reports. We sought to investigate health benefits promoted by the consumption of the substance, positive acute effects, and contextual details of these experiences. We analyzed 846 reports with the assistance of the IRaMuTeQ textual analysis software, adopting the procedures of Descending Hierarchical Classification, Correspondence Factor Analysis, and Specificities Analysis. The texts were grouped in 5 clusters, describing the content of mental experiences, cognitive processes, somatic experiences, perceptual alterations, and context of administration. The findings of this study reinforce central axes of the psychedelic experience, such as the presence of somatic and visual alterations, connectedness and feeling one with the world and effects of setting, as well as the beneficial character of mystical experiences this substance promotes, and the importance of the ego-dissolution phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that psilocybin has therapeutic benefit for treating depression. However, there is little consensus regarding the mechanism by which psilocybin elicits antidepressant effects. This systematic review summarizes existing evidence. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, psychINFO, and Web of Science were searched, for both human and animal studies, using a combination of MeSH Terms and free-text keywords in September 2021. No other mood disorders or psychiatric diagnoses were included. Original papers in English were included. The PRISMA framework was followed for the screening of papers. Two researchers screened the retrieved articles from the literature search, and a third researcher resolved any conflicts. Of 2,193 papers identified, 49 were selected for full-text review. 14 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. Six supported psilocybin's mechanism of antidepressant action via changes to serotonin or glutamate receptor activity and three papers found an increase in synaptogenesis. Thirteen papers investigated changes in non-receptor or pathway-specific brain activity. Five papers found changes in functional connectivity or neurotransmission, most commonly in the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex. Several neuroreceptors, neurotransmitters, and brain areas are thought to be involved in psilocybin's ability to mitigate depressive symptoms. Psilocybin appears to alter cerebral blood flow to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, but the evidence on changes in functional connectivity and specific receptor activity remains sparse. The lack of consensus between studies suggests that psilocybin's mechanism of action may involve a variety of pathways, demonstrating the need for more studies on psilocybin's mechanism of action as an antidepressant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data on medication interactions with psychedelics are limited. Here we present what may be the first published report of a hypertensive emergency following the combination of psilocybin mushrooms with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). A 42-year-old man with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder took 1 g of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms, while prescribed tranylcypromine, extended-release dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, and other medications. Approximately half an hour later, he developed severe hypertension with chest pain, palpitations, and headache. Upon hospital presentation, the electrocardiogram demonstrated ST-elevation. The patient was diagnosed with a myocardial infarction and treated with lorazepam, nitroglycerin, and aspirin. He subsequently underwent emergency cardiac catheterization, which revealed no significant cardiac abnormalities. Following overnight hospitalization, he was discharged home with no lasting physical sequelae. Though data are few, past studies suggest that classic serotonergic psychedelics (5HT-2A receptor agonists) such as dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid (LSD), and synthetic psilocybin should not produce hypertensive emergency when combined with MAOIs. We suspect phenylethylamine, found in Psilocybe cubensis and other species of psilocybin mushrooms, interacted with tranylcypromine and dextroamphetamine-amphetamine to produce this hypertensive emergency. Patients prescribed MAOIs should be warned of the potential for hypertensive emergency when consuming psilocybin mushrooms, particularly when also prescribed norepinephrine releasers such as dextroamphetamine-amphetamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies suggest psychedelic use may be associated with changes in a variety of beliefs or belief-like states, including increased 1) mind perception, 2) non-naturalistic beliefs, and 3) Atheist-Believer status (e.g. believer, agnostic, or nonbeliever). We conducted a prospective longitudinal study among participants (N = 657) who planned to have a psilocybin experience outside a laboratory setting. We asked participants about their beliefs concerning mind perception of various entities, specific metaphysical positions, and Atheist-Believer status both before (and after their experience. Replicating previous findings, we observed increases in mind perception across a variety of living and non-living targets (e.g. plants, rocks). However, we found little to no change in metaphysical beliefs (e.g. dualism) or Atheist-Believer status. Taken together, these findings contrast with those from cross-sectional studies that psilocybin experiences result in changes to Atheist-Believer status and non-naturalistic beliefs but support the relevance of mind perception and mentalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, policymakers have proposed and implemented regulatory changes promoting the deprioritization, decriminalization, or state-level legalization of one or more psychedelic substances, usually referencing data from clinical trials as reasons to support liberalizing drug control policies. As psychedelic policies continue to be drafted, personal possession limits may be considered for inclusion in those regulations. If "allowable amount" limits are to be written into law to set personal possession limits, then such amounts should be more consistently related to psychedelic doses found to be safe and efficacious in clinical trials, existing data on moderate-high doses commonly used in various naturalistic settings, and the few studies that estimate psychedelic dose equivalence based on the intensity of subjective effects. In this commentary, we provide an evidence-informed table of typical moderate-high doses for seven commonly used psychedelic substances. These estimates of comparable moderate-high doses can be used to inform "allowable amount" values for psychedelic substances. When such limits are written into legislation, the adoption of evidence-informed comparable limits akin to those presented here would be an important first step toward ensuring greater parity and consistency in drug policy, relative to limits that have little or no scientific basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite common depictions in the media, there is little scientific evidence on microdosing psychedelic drugs. We assessed awareness, prevalence, and dosing practices of microdosing psychedelic drugs among young adults 18–22 years old from Southern California (2018–2019). We examined whether sociodemographic factors, personality traits, mental health, or other substance use behaviors were correlated with having ever microdosed. Among 2,396 participants, 293 (12%) had heard of microdosing and 74 (3%) ever microdosed. Among those who had heard of microdosing, 79% correctly defined microdosing as taking an amount of a psychedelic much lower than a standard dose, whereas 15% misperceived microdosing as a standard psychedelic dose. Psilocybin was the most common drug ever microdosed (70%), followed by lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD, 57%). Among those who ever microdosed, ~18% reported using psychoactive doses far higher than would be generally considered a microdose. White race, male/masculine gender identity, bisexual identity, past 6-month other drug use, greater attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, mindfulness, and sensation-seeking were positively associated with having ever microdosed in multivariable models. Young adult microdosing merits further attention from scientific and public health professionals to help prevent misperceptions and potential adverse consequences as well as explore its potential therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been little research on the effects of psychedelics on menstrual and reproductive function, though anecdotal evidence suggests that these compounds may have striking effects on menstrual function in at least a subset of users. Social media and word of mouth were used to seek out individuals who had a history of changes in menstrual function following psychedelic use. Case histories were elicited from three respondents following informed consent. A literature search on the effects of classic psychedelics and related compounds was completed. Three women ranging from 27 to 34 years of age were interviewed and reported three distinct phenomena following the use of classic psychedelics: 1) resumption of menses following amenorrhea, 2) early onset of menses, in particular when psychedelics were used in the mid to late luteal period, and 3) improved menstrual regularity in a woman with irregular cycles who was eventually diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The mechanisms behind these effects remain unclear, though they may be mediated via direct or indirect effects of 5-HT2A agonism on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Although phenomena related to menstrual and reproductive function have been largely overlooked in the psychedelic literature to date, these effects may have therapeutic utility and warrant further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-perceived treatment credibility is linked to important outcome measures including symptom reduction, therapeutic alliance, patient satisfaction, and attrition rates. However, few studies have tested strategies to enhance treatment credibility. The present study investigates the effect of brief, written educational materials and the use of an image induction prime on perceptions of credibility for cognitive behavioral therapy and psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression. Participants (N = 493) rated the perceived credibility of depression treatments before and after reading brief educational materials. Half of the participants were asked an image induction question containing the construct of open-mindedness. Results indicate that brief educational materials of about 300 words significantly increased perceived treatment credibility for both therapies, with a large effect size (Cohen's d =.91). The use of an image induction prime further increased perceived credibility for psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression (Cohen's d =.38). These strategies offer an efficient and cost-effective way to enhance treatment credibility. Future studies testing variations of the image induction prime might prove fruitful for optimizing the technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is considered rare in hallucinogen users although there are conflicting reports about its incidence and prevalence. HPPD may be more common in those with trait neuroticism. In this study, we invited hallucinogen and other drug users to complete an online questionnaire about their use of hallucinogens, their experience of HPPD symptoms, and their trait neuroticism and mental health symptoms. We received 802 responses with 415 of these containing adequate data for further analysis. 39.7% of responders reported symptoms corresponding to Type I HPPD, and 4.3% reported symptoms corresponding to Type II HPPD. We found no significant difference between neuroticism scores for participants with or without HPPD. Individuals with Type II HPPD were more likely to report mental health symptoms including anxiety, obsessional thoughts, paranoia, hypochondria and panic attacks (p < .05). We also found that individuals with Type II HPPD were more likely to report the use of 25I-NBOMe, dextromethorphan, nitrous oxide and benzodiazepines (p < .05). 47.3% of participants had never tested their drugs, making the attribution of HPPD severity to specific drugs difficult. Further work into the development of HPPD is required, particularly with the rise of hallucinogens as potential treatments for depression and other mental illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyzing online retrospective experience reports of psychedelic use can provide valuable insight into their acute subjective effects. Such reports are unexplored in relation to mystical states, which are thought to be a therapeutic mechanism within psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. We created a set of words that, when encountered in an experience report, indicate the occurrence of mystical elements within the experience. We used the Shroomery.org website to retrieve 7317 publicly available retrospective psychedelic experience reports of psychedelic use, primarily of psilocybin, and have a designated experience intensity level self-assessed by the text authors during submission of the report. We counted the mystical language words using Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) software and additionally performed sentiment analysis of all reports. We found that the occurrence of mystical language grew with increased self-reported experience intensity. We also found that negative sentiment increased, and positive sentiment decreased as self-reported psychedelic experience intensity increased. These two findings raise the question of whether mystical experiences can co-exist with challenging elements within the psychedelic experience, a consideration for future qualitative studies. We present a new mystical language dictionary measure for further use and expansion, with some suggestions on how it can be used in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global prevalence of substance abuse and mental disorders continues to challenge healthcare systems, with one in eight individuals affected. The therapeutic potential of psychedelics is recognized not only for treating mental disorders but also for enhancing well-being and promoting pro-social behaviors. Conventional biomedical research models fall short in addressing the broader health needs of populations and poorly suited for overcoming barriers to service delivery. This special issue includes six articles that explore alternative approaches to psychedelic research and practice, emphasizing collaboration with diverse actors, including indigenous communities, and incorporating traditional knowledge systems into contemporary psychedelic research. They underscore the need for innovative research methods that engage multidisciplinary approaches while promoting culturally relevant outcome measures. They emphasize the importance of shifting from punitive drug policies to those grounded in public health and human rights, allowing for multi-country studies and the development of evidence-based care models for community mental health. Incorporating traditional knowledge and community-based methodologies into psychedelic science is vital for its evolution beyond biomedical research for widespread dissemination, offering new avenues for improved health outcomes and promotion of human flourishing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports of psychedelic experiences may contain similarities and differences across cultural contexts, but most current characterizations and quantifications of psychedelic experiences come from Western medical and naturalistic settings. In this article, we begin with a brief history of the diversity of psychedelic use in non-Western settings. We then compare and contrast accounts of psychedelic experiences within and beyond Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) contexts. We focus on specific reports of direct testimony of the acute subjective effects of psychedelics experienced across these contexts. We compare themes from each of these various contexts, with special emphasis on psychometric measures such as the mystical experiences questionnaire (MEQ), the five-dimensional altered states of consciousness (5D-ASC) scale, the Survey of God Encounters, and the Survey of Entity Encounters, the Challenging Experiences Questionnaire, and the Inventory of Nonordinary Experiences (INOE). Finally, we offer recommendations for future research to quantify these similarities and differences across cultures to assess them empirically in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacological treatment of depression consists of taking antidepressant drugs for prolonged periods; its modest therapeutic effect can often be associated with significant adverse effects, while its discontinuation can lead to relapses. Psilocybin is today a novel and breakthrough therapy for major depression. It is a natural alkaloid in Psilocybe mushrooms, which are endemic to Mexico. Research on a larger scale is lacking in various populations, including the Mexican people. This proposal contemplates the experimental design of a preclinical (toxicity and pharmacological evaluation of an extract in mice) and clinical study by including the chemical analysis of a species of Psilocybe cubensis mushroom to characterize its main constituents. The clinical study will consider the safety evaluation by exploring tolerated doses of Psilocybe cubensis by measuring pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration in healthy adults and an open trial on a sample of patients with major depressive disorder to assess the safety and efficacy of fully characterized Psilocybe cubensis in a two-single doses treatment, (with assisted psychotherapy), compared with the traditional care model at the Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz in Mexico City. This report presents the design of a research project with preclinical and clinical experimental components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural awareness of anosmia and microsmia has recently increased due to their association with COVID-19, though treatment for these conditions is limited. A growing body of online media claims that individuals have noticed improvement in anosmia and microsmia following classic psychedelic use. We report what we believe to be the first three cases recorded in the academic literature of improvement in olfactory impairment after psychedelic use. In the first case, a man who developed microsmia after a respiratory infection experienced improvement in smell after the use of 6 g of psilocybin containing mushrooms. In the second case, a woman with anosmia since childhood reported olfactory improvement after ingestion of 100 µg of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In the third case, a woman with COVID-19-related anosmia reported olfactory improvement after microdosing 0.1 g of psilocybin mushrooms three times. Following a discussion of these cases, we explore potential mechanisms for psychedelic-facilitated improvement in olfactory impairment, including serotonergic effects, increased neuroplasticity, and anti-inflammatory effects. Given the need for novel treatments for olfactory dysfunction, increasing reports describing improvement in these conditions following psychedelic use and potential biological plausibility, we believe that the possible therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for these conditions deserve further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legal, scientific, and social landscapes for psychedelics are changing rapidly. Differences of opinion exist among key stakeholders regarding regulatory control, models of provisioning psychedelic therapy, and medicalization, decriminalization, and/or legalization policies. We assessed the policy preferences of people using psychedelics naturalistically (N = 1221) to understand how they aligned and differed with institutional entities and existing psychedelic policies. Three quarters of participants would support decriminalization and legalization. On average, participants strongly supported individuals being legally able to grow and possess psychedelic plants and/or fungi for personal consumption. Trends included more support for natural over synthetic substances, self-production and consumption over gifting, gifting over sales, and administration of psychedelics with therapeutic support than without therapeutic support. Participants were concerned about pharmaceutical-like policy models, including patents of natural and synthetic psychedelic compounds. Participants were mostly from the State of Michigan, though geographical differences were minor. Those who identified as a psychedelic guide, educator, or therapist had small yet extensive differences from those who did not. As psychedelic liberalization continues to advance, it is critical for policymakers to consider these preferences to ensure laws provide safe and equitable access to these substances and appropriate medical support for their use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a surge of interest in psychedelics, including new stakeholders and greater media attention. There is a need to examine the information-seeking behavior of people using psychedelics naturalistically, given the importance of preparation and harm-reduction. We examined sources of information for people using psychedelics naturalistically, and the degree to which they are trusted in a large, anonymous, online survey (N = 1221). The most common source of participants' information on psychedelics was their own experimentation and experiences (79.52%). Most also sought information from Internet websites (61.67%), friends (61.02%), Internet discussion forums (57.08%), books (57%), and articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals (54.55%). Few sought information from their primary health care provider (4.83%). Articles published in scientific journals, psychedelic nonprofits, and researchers based in colleges or universities were the most trusted sources of psychedelic information. Government agencies and pharmaceutical companies were the least trusted. Few participants thought that the popular media accurately stated the benefits and risks of psychedelics and most thought that the popular media failed to distinguish between different types of psychedelics. Our results indicate a high level of information seeking among psychedelic users, with a diverse array of information sources typically outside of mainstream health and medical care systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21st century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders including substance use disorder (SUD). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychedelic treatments for people with SUD and those falling below diagnostic thresholds (i.e. substance misuse). We systematically searched 11 databases, trial registries, and psychedelic organization websites for empirical studies examining adults undergoing psychedelic treatment for SUD or substance misuse, published in the English language, between 2000 and 2021. Seven studies investigating treatment using psilocybin, ibogaine, and ayahuasca, alone or adjunct with psychotherapy reported across 10 papers were included. Measures of abstinence, substance use, psychological and psychosocial outcomes, craving, and withdrawal reported positive results, however, this data was scarce among studies examining a wide range of addictions including opioid, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and unspecified substance. The qualitative synthesis from three studies described subjective experience of psychedelic-assisted treatments enhanced self-awareness, insight, and confidence. At present, there is no sufficient research evidence to suggest effectiveness of any of the psychedelics on any specific substance use disorder or substance misuse. Further research using rigorous effectiveness evaluation methods with larger sample sizes and longer-term follow-up is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Survivors of adverse childhood experience are at elevated risk for psychological distress. In recent years, renewed interest in psychedelic medicine has highlighted the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for those who have experienced childhood adversity. However, recreational psilocybin use remains illegal and access to approved therapies is difficult. Such use provides an opportunity to explore the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for psychological distress among people with adverse childhood experiences. Therefore, we conducted an online survey to assess interest in, acceptability of, and experiences with psilocybin. We further explored whether the association between Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACEQ) scores and psychological distress was lower among those who had used psilocybin in the past three months. Results showed high levels of interest in and acceptability of psilocybin that did not differ across ACEQ scores. Results also showed that the effect of adverse childhood experiences on psychological distress was lower for people who had recently used psilocybin (p = .019). Taken together, these findings suggest that psilocybin therapy may be potentially acceptable and may feasibly help in supporting survivors of adverse childhood experiences with particularly strong benefits to those with more severe childhood adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying gaps and strengths in psychedelic-related knowledge is key to developing effective, evidence-based education to inform appropriate use of and harm reduction practices for psychedelics in the naturalistic use landscape. The current study piloted an assessment instrument with questions on legal status, therapeutic potential, and side effects of psychedelics among people reporting current psychedelic use. We recruited participants (N = 1435) at a psychedelic advocacy event and through psychedelic interest groups on social media. Respondents completed a brief survey of psychedelic use and psychedelic knowledge. Items assessed basic knowledge of various topics surrounding psychedelics, such as legal status, active compounds, and known therapeutic efficacy based on the clinical trial literature. Respondents who had used greater numbers of different psychedelics, with higher levels of education, lower age, greater frequency of psychedelic use, identifying as male, used high doses (vs. microdosing only), identifying as Caucasian/White, and with greater annual household income answered more questions correctly. Most respondents exhibited high knowledge of psychedelics, though there is also a demonstrated need for education and outreach, especially in under-represented communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subjective responses to psychoactive drugs have served as intriguing windows into consciousness as well as useful predictors. Subjective reactions to psychedelic molecules are particularly interesting given how they covary with subsequent improvements associated with psychedelic-assisted treatments. Although links between subjective reactions and decreases in treatment-resistant clinical depression, end-of-life anxiety, and maladaptive consumption of alcohol and nicotine appear in the empirical literature, the measurement of these subjective responses has proven difficult. Several scales developed over many decades show reasonable internal consistency. Studies suggest that many have a replicable factor structure and other good psychometric properties, but samples are often small and self-selected. We review the psychometric properties of some of the most widely used scales and detail their links to improvement in response to psychedelic-assisted treatments. Generally, assessments of mystical experiences or oceanic boundlessness correlate with improvements. Challenging subjective experiences, psychological insight, and emotional breakthroughs also show considerable promise, though replication would strengthen conclusions. We suggest a collaborative approach where investigators can focus on key responses to ensure that the field will eventually have data from many participants who report their subjective reactions to psychedelic molecules in a therapeutic setting. This may aid in predicting improvement amongst targeted conditions and wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following a decades long period of investigational dormancy, there is renewed interest in employing psychedelics as psychiatric treatments. The academic journals, institutions, and countries that have helped sustain clinical psychedelic research and the evolution of the literature on clinical studies of psychedelics have only recently begun to be investigated. To expand upon this work, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of clinical studies of 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ibogaine, mescaline, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and psilocybin published from 1965–2021. Our search revealed 394 relevant articles. After a lull from the 1970s-1990s, publications in this area have resurged. Studies most frequently focused on MDMA (49%), LSD (19%), psilocybin (18%), and ayahuasca (7%). A subanalysis of studies from 1965 to 2009 ("Older cohort") compared to 2010–2021 ("Recent cohort") revealed that the Recent cohort had a higher proportion of studies investigating psychedelics' therapeutic applications and a lower proportion of studies investigating the effects of psychedelics on people using them in non-research settings. Compared to the Older cohort, psilocybin studies increased proportionally in the Recent cohort, while DMT and mescaline studies decreased. Network analyses of inter-country collaborations suggested that psychedelic researchers in the United Kingdom have the most diverse international collaborations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances is expanding. A limitation within this field is the unpredictability of individual responses to psychedelics. Better understanding of factors predicting psychedelic experience is essential to clinical progress and wider harm reduction frameworks. Ketamine, MDMA, LSD and psilocybin were selected for comparison due to their promising therapeutic effects and different mechanisms of action. This study aimed to (a) identify factors that produce positive and adverse psychedelic experience, and (b) compare these potential predictors across four psychedelic substances. A thematic analysis was conducted on twenty-two first-person reports of psychedelic use (six per substance), sourced from the Erowid database. This revealed three external predictors (nature, music, and preparation) and three internal predictors (understanding, mind-set, and motivation). Each factor identified contained two sub-themes that further elucidated meaning and impact. Nature and music emerged as potential tools for de-escalating adverse reactions to psychedelics. Substance-specific perceptual and sensorial effects were also examined. Finally, the importance of, and interrelationship between, preparation, mind-set, understanding, and motivation was examined as common themes that emerged. The broader clinical and sociological implications are discussed, with reference to developing harm reduction frameworks. These findings constitute an early step in developing a more nuanced understanding of factors shaping psychedelic experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to investigate the effects of different substances on nature relatedness (NR) in the general population. An online cross-sectional survey done in Brazil investigated use of ayahuasca/DMT, psilocybe mushrooms, LSD, MDMA/ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol. NR was assessed using the short-form version of the nature related scale (NR-6). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess group differences between substance naïve-individuals, past users, and current users of each substance. Regression models were used including all the substances and subsequently, sociodemographic variables. ANOVAs with substances which showed significantly higher NR-6 scores in the regression model were used in order to assess the effect of intention of future use on NR. ANOVAs indicated higher NR in users of classic serotonergic psychedelics (ayahuasca/DMT, psilocybe mushrooms, LSD), cannabis, and MDMA/ecstasy. Regression models showed that current use of ayahuasca/DMT and psilocybe mushrooms, and past use of LSD had a positive association with NR. When sociodemographic variables were added, only ayahuasca/DMT past and current use were positively associated with NR. Intention of future use was only significantly associated with NR in individuals who reported intention of future use of psilocybe mushrooms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interest in and availability of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes has increased in recent decades. In a large, anonymous, online survey, we investigated patterns of communication with healthcare providers and awareness and utilization of substance testing kits or services among people using psychedelics naturalistically. The sample population included attendees of a psychedelic activism event and users of psychedelic social media forums. Among 1,435 participants, 72.5% never discussed psychedelic use with their primary care provider (PCP). Only 4.4% reported using psychedelics with a therapist and 3% in clinical settings, although 77.8% were very or extremely likely to take psychedelics with a therapist if one were legally available. While 62.6% of participants were aware of substance testing services, 42.6% of these indicated never using them. Regression analyses identified several variables associated with disclosure to PCP and utilization of substance testing services including age, gender, frequency and number of psychedelics used, and likelihood of consuming psychedelics under the guidance of a therapist if one were legally available. Further research is necessary to investigate these findings among other groups. Our findings suggest that relevant training and education for healthcare providers is needed, along with more visible options for substance identity testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few epidemiological studies have focused on seasonal variation in the use of common psychedelics and party drugs among nightclub and festival attendees, typically those who attend electronic dance music (EDM) events. We sought to determine whether the use of different drug types varies seasonally within this population. Across 15 seasons from summer 2017 through fall 2022, we surveyed 3,935 adults entering randomly selected nightclubs and festivals in New York City regarding their past-month use of cocaine, MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, commonly known as ecstasy), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (shrooms), and ketamine. Multivariable models were used to compare adjusted odds ratios for drug use within each season with the grand mean of combined seasons. Summer was associated with higher odds for use of LSD (aOR 2.72; 95% CI, 1.88–3.93) and psilocybin (aOR 1.65; CI, 1.12–2.43), independent of increases in psilocybin use over time (p < .001). A significant increase in use of ketamine (p = .014) and significant decreases in use of cocaine (p = .002) and ecstasy (p = .002) were found across time, but multivariable models did not detect seasonal variations. Summer is a risk factor for use of common psychedelics among people who attend EDM events. Therefore, the summer months may be the best time to disseminate information about harm reduction for psychedelic drug users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the recent and sharp rise in psychedelic research, few studies have investigated how classic psychedelic use relates to employees’ work-related outcomes. This is surprising given that the increased use, decriminalization, and legalization of classic psychedelics in the United States (U.S.) has the potential to impact both employees and their organizations. Addressing this gap, the current study explores how employees’ lifetime psilocybin use relates to the amount of overtime they work, thereby offering insight into what current trends in psilocybin use could mean for businesses. Using pooled, cross-sectional data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002–2014) on 217,963 adults employed in the U.S. full-time, this study tests whether lifetime psilocybin use is associated with employees’ number of overtime hours worked in the past week. After adjusting for sociodemographics and other substance use, a significant negative association is found between employees’ lifetime psilocybin use and the amount of overtime they reported working. Specifically, the findings suggest that lifetime psilocybin use in the U.S. full-time working population is associated with an estimated 44,348,400 fewer overtime hours worked per year and may help explain recent findings linking employees’ lifetime psilocybin use to a reduction in sick leave taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study translated and tested the psychometric properties of acute psychedelic effects measures among Spanish-speaking people. The Psychological Insight Questionnaire (PIQ), Challenging Experiences Questionnaire (CEQ), and Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ) were translated before being incorporated into a web-based survey. We recruited native Spanish-speakers (N = 442; Mage = 30.8, SD = 10.9; Latino/Latina = 62%; Hispanic = 91.4%; male = 71.5%) to assess their previous experience with one of two psychedelics (LSD = 58.4%; Psilocybin = 41.6%) and their acute and enduring effects. Confirmatory factor analysis (confirming factor structure based on the English version) revealed a good fit for the MEQ, PIQ and the CEQ. Repeating our analysis in each drug subsample revealed consistency in factor structure for each assessment tool. Construct validity was supported by significant positive associations between the PIQ and MEQ, and between the PIQ and MEQ and changes in cognitive fusion and negative associations between changes in prosocial behaviors. As a signal of predictive validity, persisting effects (PEQ) were strongly related to scores on the MEQ and PIQ. Findings demonstrate that the Spanish versions of these measures can be reliably employed in studies of psychedelic use or administration in Spanish-speaking populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This integrative review was conducted to summarize the knowledge pertaining to the effects that serotonergic psychedelics can have on creativity, a multi-dimensional construct referring to the ability to produce original and valuable artifacts. Psychedelics, which have long been hailed as substances that can enhance the creative process in their users, have experienced a recent resurgence in research, allowing the opportunity to better understand this relationship. To this end, I reviewed literature which attempted to study the effects of serotonergic psychedelics on creativity through psychometric methods. A total of eleven studies were reviewed, with four psychedelic compounds represented. Every study assessed components and subcomponents of divergent and convergent thinking, with only one instance of product assessment. Results suggest that convergent thinking may increase during the post-acute phases of the drugs' intake, fostering the capacity for development of previously generated ideas. However, this evidence may be circumstantial based on the low number of studies available, small sample sizes, overall lack of randomized controlled trials, and significant methodological limitations throughout most studies. Potential mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed, along with the current state of the research and implications for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While anecdotal reports claim that psychedelic microdosing reduces anxiety and mood symptoms, evidence supporting these claims is scarce. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between microdosing and trait anxiety. Furthermore, it was investigated if trait mindfulness mediated this association. Participants completed anonymous online questionnaires and were divided into three groups: current microdosers (n = 186), former microdosers (n = 77) and microdosing-naïve controls (n = 234). Trait anxiety and trait mindfulness were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – Trait subscale (STAI-T) and the 15-item Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ-15) respectively. Current and former microdosers reported lower STAI-T scores compared to microdosing-naïve controls. Furthermore, associations of current and former microdosing with trait anxiety were mediated by trait mindfulness, with small effects of FFMQ-15 Total, Non-judging and Non-reactivity scores. However, in an exploratory analysis, all associations between microdosing and STAI-T scores became non-significant when participants with previous macrodose experience (n = 386) were excluded. Our findings suggest that RCTs are warranted to test causal hypotheses concerning the effects of microdosing and the role of trait mindfulness in the effects of microdosing, while controlling for previous macrodose experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a revival of research that studies the subjective effects of psychedelic drugs on humans. Areas of health science have been studying their possible therapeutic benefits, and psychological measurement instruments are being developed as the studies progress. However, these instruments currently suffer criticism regarding their number and evidence of psychometric quality. This study aims to review which psychometric instruments are available to assess subjective states induced by psychedelics. We systematically searched five databases (Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, EMBASE, CINAHL and PubMed) using psychometrics and psychedelics related terms identifying studies published from 1990 to 2021. Of 857 articles generated from the systematic-search, fifteen met our criteria and were included in the review, evaluating nine instruments: MEQ, 5D-ASC, HRS, PSI, EDI, CEQ, EBI, EDI and PIQ. Eight dealing with phenomenological aspects of the psychedelic experience and one as a screening tool for psychotic or manic episode. The purpose of each instrument, the number of items in each version, the type of scale and their elaboration process were described. The number of instruments used in psychedelic research is growing steadily, but there are still many other parts of the psychedelic experience that lack measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This obituary is a memorial to Roland R. Griffiths, a scientist, mentor, and benefactor who made significant contributions to the field of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. Dr. Griffiths was the founding director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research and conducted research on the use of psychedelics and their effects on consciousness. His research supported the understanding that different substances have varying levels of addiction potential and abuse-related risks, which influenced how drugs are scheduled under drug control conventions. Dr. Griffiths also explored the similarities between the effects of psychedelics and various contemplative practices, such as meditation and yoga, and their potential for healing and well-being. His work highlighted the importance of respectful co-existence between regulatory and cultural wisdom sharing. [Extracted from the article]

The current article presents a mixed qualitative-quantitative observational study of the effect of ayahuasca ritual on subjective experiences and personality traits on participants of a center specialized in the treatment of substance use disorder in Uruguay. When comparing the psychological traits of ayahuasca participants to a control group, quantitative results using the Zuckerman- Kuhlman-Aluja Personality Questionnaire showed statistically significant higher scores in Impulsive Sensation Seeking, Boredom Susceptibility, and Social Warmth scales. Qualitative analysis of ayahuasca experiences resulted in five main categories: emotional experiences (including social emotions such as love and empathy), corporal experiences, spiritual/transcendental experiences, personal experiences, and visions. Last, qualitative descriptions provide support for the importance of social interactions in the phenomenological manifestations of the psychedelic experience. Both quantitative and qualitative results suggest that the combination of social interactions and the pharmacological action of ayahuasca could facilitate the manifestation of social emotions during the ritual, and may contribute to the long-term increase of empathic and social aspects of personality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mystical experiences triggered by psychedelic drugs predict symptom reduction in various psychiatric disorders, and increased well-being in healthy individuals. This work aimed at validating a French version of a tool used to measure mystical experiences: the Revised Mystical Experience Questionnaire-30 items (MEQ30). Construct validity, internal consistencies, concurrent, discriminant, and predictive validities of the French MEQ30 were examined using data about the most significant psychedelic experience of 320 French individuals. Results showed that the original fourfactor (i.e., mystical, positive mood, transcendence, and ineffability) structure fit the data best, with good to excellent statistical indices. Total French MEQ30 score was strongly associated with subjective ratings of the mystical (i.e., mystical, spiritual, or religious, and personally significant) and drug intensity-related qualities of the experience, but not with non-mystical (i.e., fun, inebriating, and easy) qualities. Moreover, French MEQ30 score was a significant predictor of subjective positive changes in psychological well-being, relations with self and others, feeling of proximity or connection with nature, and creativity, whereas drug intensity-related and non-mystical qualities of the experience were not, or were only weakly associated with such changes. This French version of the MEQ30 seems to be an appropriate tool for measuring mystical experiences among French speaking individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the psychedelic experience from the users' point of view and through the lens of self-care, a concept within the domain of health and well-being. In a time of renewed interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of these substances by exploring their role in different settings. A phenomenological approach was used in this study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 psychedelic users and inquired about the relationship between their experiences and self-care. Analysis of the interview data was based on inductive content analysis. Most participants reported using psychedelics with self-care intentions in ceremonial, recreational, or private settings. Self-perception and existential meaningfulness were identified as the main mechanisms of self-care. Participants also mentioned difficult experiences and adversities that impair self-care. The results suggest that for some people, the use of psychedelics may be experienced as part of a self-care process and may improve self-care abilities in naturalistic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both psychedelics and mindfulness are recently emerging topics of interest in academia and popular culture. The Prevalence of personal meditation practices and recreational psychedelic use has consistently increased in the past decade. While clinical work has shown both to improve long-term wellbeing, data on naturalistic applications of psychedelics and mindfulness are lacking. The current study examined the relationship between psychedelic use, mindfulness, and multifaceted wellbeing as an outcome. Hierarchical regression was used to quantify these associations on a sample of people (N = 1,219) who engage in both meditation practices and psychedelic use. Results show that both mindfulness and mystical experiences are associated with substantial increases in wellbeing. Psychedelics were found to be a moderator of the relationship between mystical experience wellbeing. These data are among the first to establish a strong relationship between personal mindfulness practice, recreational psychedelic use, and overall psychological wellbeing in a naturalistic framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of psychedelic research is undergoing a revival, yet research focused on non-clinical psychedelic use remains relatively limited. The current qualitative study sheds light on how people use magic mushrooms, what they perceive the effects of such use to be, and the meanings that users attach to their magic mushroom experiences. To be eligible to participate in the study, participants were required to be young adults who had used magic mushrooms within the past three months and residents of Victoria, Canada. Semi-structured, one-on-one in-person interviews regarding magic mushroom use habits, culture, knowledge and other factors were conducted with each participant and subsequently analyzed thematically. Participants associated magic mushroom use with lasting impacts on their lives including transformation and learning experiences. Additionally, participants described strategies to optimize their magic mushroom experiences, including engaging in research regarding magic mushrooms as well as making use of peer supports. Furthermore, aspects of magic mushroom experiences conceptualized as harmful in previous studies were described by participants as associated with learning experiences and few harms. Participants' perceived positive outcomes and relatively low risk profile warrants further research to inform how magic mushroom users can maximize potential positive outcomes and also minimize harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been a reemergence of research into the use of substances such as LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This increase in consideration toward the medicinal use of these compounds has been termed the "Psychedelic Renaissance." This article specifically explores the background of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound that is naturally derived from certain species of fungi. Pubmed was searched by one doctoral-level researcher using specific Boolean operator terms. The results were filtered by title and abstract and 76 articles were screened and analyzed in full detail. Oral psilocybin is showing itself to be clinically efficacious by producing statistically significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms over time versus control in multiple clinical trials. It has also been shown to reduce cigarettes per day and drinks per day in patients with substance use disorders. Thus far, there have been no significant adverse clinical events from psilocybin and there also have been no verifiable recorded deaths reported. Larger studies need to be performed before the drug can potentially become approved for use in the general population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing research exploring the utility of psychedelic substances suggests that they not only hold promise for clinical practice but may enhance mental health through recreational use as well. However, given the importance of set and setting for maximizing benefits and minimizing harms of drug use, it is important to develop a foundational understanding of the contextual factors associated with positive and negative mental health in psychedelic users. Accordingly, data were collected using an internet-based survey of psychedelic drug users (n = 511). Hierarchical regression analyses were used to explore to what degree life-time use, frequency of use, dose size, group use, intentions for use, and post-use integration predict mental health in psychedelic users. In particular, using psychedelics with high frequency and to cope with negative affect were found to predict negative mental health. Conversely, using psychedelics in a group setting, with self-expansive intentions, and integrating post-use were found to predict positive mental health. Findings suggest that recreational psychedelic use may either enhance or diminish mental health depending on the contextual parameters of use. Limitations and areas for further research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychedelics were used in the treatment of psychiatric conditions prior to their prohibition in the late 1960s. In the past three decades, there is a revived research interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs with expected FDA approvals for treatment of various conditions. Given the exponential scientific growth of this field, we sought to characterize, analyze, and visualize trends in its top-cited articles. Bibliometric analyses are quantitative approaches to characterize a scientific field, including evaluation of the impact of academic literature. The bibliometric analysis and visualizations were conducted with R-tools for comprehensive science mapping. The top-cited 100 articles were cited between 82 and 668 times (median 125; mean 158). Fifty-four percent of the T100 articles were produced in the past decade (2010–2020). Network and author impact analysis highlighted key figures and primary collaboration networks within the top 100 publications. UK, USA, Switzerland, Spain, and Brazil lead the field. Results are discussed in terms of research growth, access, diversity, and the distribution of knowledge and experience in the field. These aggregated data and insights on the second wave of psychedelic research facilitate research evaluation, data-driven funding policies, and a practical map for researchers and clinicians entering the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promising outcomes of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy (PAT) for depression have generated concerted efforts to replicate, extend, and refine protocols to maximize efficacy. Psychotherapy research reveals that clients benefit most when important components of treatment align with their personal preferences. One open question related to PAT concerns the importance of the psilocybin experience of the guides (trained professionals present during acute effects). We sought to assess the importance of a guide who had used psilocybin to potential clients with depressive symptoms. Over 800 MTurk respondents with depressive symptoms rated the import of a guide who had used psilocybin relative to alternative characteristics in guides and cognitive behavioral (CBT) therapists. Importance ratings for guides who had used psilocybin significantly exceeded the "somewhat important" level (50 on a 0–100 scale), other guide-related qualities, and comparable ratings for a cognitive behavioral therapist who shared demographics, had experience with depression and received cognitive therapy personally. People of color (those who are not Caucasian) and those who had previous therapy gave significantly higher importance ratings for guides who had used psilocybin. Participants who chose to list other qualities important for guides listed very similar ones for CBT therapists, often emphasizing proper training and an empathic demeanor. Guides who have used psilocybin, who inform clients of the fact, might have advantages for facilitating PAT's antidepressant effects, as least in a subset of clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a difficult to treat chronic pain condition for which there is strong interest in alternative treatments. There is growing interest in the potential of psychedelic substances (e.g., psilocybin) in conjunction with psychotherapy to treat chronic pain. Via a cross-sectional, anonymous, online survey, we aimed to characterize knowledge, perceptions, and past use of serotonergic ("classic") and non-serotonergic psychedelics among a population of individuals with FM, and to investigate interest in psychedelic-based FM treatments. Among a North American population of 354 participants with FM, 29.9% reported past use of a psychedelic, with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin mushrooms being most commonly used. Perceptions of benefit from psychedelic use were generally neutral (59.4%) or positive (36.8%), with <3% reporting negative impacts on overall health or pain symptoms. Among 12 participants who used psychedelics with intentions of treating chronic pain, 11 reported improved symptoms. Regardless of past use, the majority of participants believed that psychedelics have potential for chronic pain treatments and would be willing to participate in a psychedelic-based clinical trial for their pain. These findings support the need for additional studies to understand the potential and effectiveness of psychedelic substances in managing FM symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are neurophysiological and phenomenological overlaps between psychedelic and meditative states, but there is little evidence on how exposure to psychedelics might be associated with meditation-related variables. We assessed lifetime classic psychedelic use, ego dissolution during one's most intense experience using a classic psychedelic, and exposure to meditation in a representative sample (n = 953) of American adults. Those who reported experience with meditation were invited to complete a follow-up survey (n = 536, 92.1% response rate) measuring meditation-related variables. Models controlled for a range of potential confounds. Exposure to meditation was associated with lifetime classic psychedelic use and ego dissolution in covariate-adjusted models. In addition, among meditators, greater ego dissolution was associated with more frequent meditation practice. Both lifetime classic psychedelic use and ego dissolution were associated with enlightenment as motivation to practice meditation as well as lower likelihood of overall perceived barriers to meditation practice. Ego dissolution was positively associated with finding meditation more effective. Neither lifetime classic psychedelic use nor ego dissolution was associated with greater likelihood of meditation-related adverse effects. Taken together, results support potential synergy between psychedelics and meditation, but randomized controlled trials are necessary to establish safety and evaluate potential causal relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary research with classic psychedelic drugs (e.g., lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin) is indebted to the twentieth-century researchers and clinicians who generated valuable clinical knowledge of these substances through experimentation. Several recent reviews that highlight the contributions of this early literature have focused on psychedelic-assisted individual psychotherapy modalities. None have attempted to systematically identify and compile experimental studies of psychedelic-assisted group therapy. In therapeutic settings, psychedelics were often used to enhance group therapy for a variety of populations and clinical indications. We report on the results of a systematic review of the published literature in English and Spanish on psychedelic-assisted group therapies. Publications are characterized by their clinical approach, experimental method, and clinical outcomes. Given the renewed interest in the clinical use of psychedelic medicines, this review aims to stimulate hypotheses to be tested in future research on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, group process, and interpersonal functioning.