Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy : A Review of a Novel Treatment for Psychiatric Disorders Kelan Thomas, Pharm.D., M.S., Benjamin Malcolm, Pharm.D., M.P.H., and Dan Lastra, B.S. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2017 Doi : 10.1080/02791072.2017.1320734 Abstract Recent research suggests that functional connectivity changes may be involved in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. Hyperconnectivity in the default mode network has been associated with psycho-pathology, but psychedelic serotonin agonists like psilocybin may profoundly disrupt these dysfunctional neural network circuits and provide a novel treatment for psychiatric disorders. We have reviewed the current literature to investigate the efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. There were [...]
Lire la suiteThe Religious Significance of Entheogenic Drugs Hugh Asher More Info: This is my unpublished Master's Dissertation. Abstract This paper examines the use of psychoactive substances such as Psilocybin, Mescaline, and LSD as adjuncts to mystical, religious or spiritual experiences. There is an analysis of the psychological changes and the changes in perception that these substances cause and how these can be interpreted as contributing to religious or spiritual enlightenment. There is also a discussion on the nature of what could be considered a religious experience. An overview of the use of such ‘entheogenic’ drugs from an historical perspective follows, looking specifically at the use of [...]
Lire la suitePsychological Explorations of the Magic Mushroom (Psilocybin) Experience, Part I : Subjective Effects and Time Passage Perception José Arturo Costa Escobar, M.S., Antonio Roazzi, Ph.D. Neurobiologia, 2011, 74, (3-4), 81-97. ABSTRACT Magic mushrooms are rich in the active compound psilocybin, whose activity on consciousness deeply alters cognitive functions, can promote spiritual/mystical experiences and has high biomedical and psychotherapeutic importance. Twenty-eight participants underwent a magic mushroom experience after consuming dehydrated Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms at the dosage of 55.6 mg/Kg (350 μg/kg of psilocybin). Results of subjective aspects of the experience through the Hallucinogen Rating Scale revealed equivalent dosage effects comparable to other studies and similar [...]
Lire la suitePsychological Explorations of the Magic Mushroom (Psilocybin) Experience, Part II : Neuropsychological Measures José Arturo Costa Escobar, M.S., Antonio Roazzi, Ph.D. Neurobiologia, 2011, 74, (3-4), 99-112. ABSTRACT Some investigations conducted with psilocybin and mushrooms of the Psilocybe genus on the human mind point to a peculiarity of these substances to promote a special state of consciousness. The present study measured the effects of dehydrated magic mushrooms on human visual processes and memory utilizing tasks in a pre- and post-test form. We observed defi cits in visual working memory and these results were consistent with other, recent psilocybin studies. However this and other visual mechanisms [...]
Lire la suiteChanges in Spirituality Among Ayahuasca Ceremony Novice Participants Stephen M. Trichter A Clinical Research Project Submitted to the Faculty of Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area In partial fulfillment of the requirements for The degree of Doctor of Psychology Point Richmond, California Copyright May 2006 _____________________________ CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION Context of the Problem Psychiatry and clinical psychology have developed with the aim of relieving maladaptive psychological symptoms, partially through the use of medical technology. Presently, the field encourages the use of anti-depressants, anti-anxiety agents, and antipsychotics to relieve symptoms from which patients suffer. Despite continuous breakthroughs in psychiatric medicine, many writers feel that this approach is questionable. For [...]
Lire la suiteThe evolutionary neuroanthropology of consciousness : exploring the diversity of conscious states across cultures. An interview with Michael Winkelman. Michael Winkelman & Martin E. Fortier ALIUS Bulletin, 2019, 3, 45-97. doi : 10.34700/krg3-zk35 Abstract In this interview, Michael Winkelman and Martin Fortier discuss the extent to which consciousness is grounded in deep evolutionary mechanisms and can be enculturated. First, the main tenets of two neuroanthropological approaches to consciousness and culture are outlined. Next, the upsides and downsides of evolutionary psychology are examined; the fruitfulness of this approach in the study of cultural phenomena such as shamanism is debated. The authors then discuss the promises of [...]
Lire la suiteSense of reality, metacognition and culture in schizophrenic and drug-induced hallucinations : An interdisciplinary approach Martin Fortier In J. Proust & M. Fortier (Eds.) : "Metacognitive Diversity : An Interdisciplinary Approach", 2018. Oxford/New York, Oxford University Press. Abstract Hallucinations possess two main components : (i) a sensory content; and (ii) a sense that the sensory content is real. Influential models of schizophrenic hallucination claim that both the sensory content and the sense of reality can be explained in terms of metacognitive dysfunction. This chapter assesses whether such a claim holds for schizophrenic and drug-induced hallucinations; it further attempts to determine the actual role of metacognition [...]
Lire la suiteQue (Devrait-on) Savoir sur la Pharmacologie du Cannabidiol ? Article rédigé par les Centres d’Addictovigilance de Grenoble, Marseille, Paris Addictovigilance, Bulletin de l’Association des Centres d’Addictovigilance, 2020, 13. www.addictovigilance.fr Messages clefs Les phyto-cannabinoïdes et les cannabinoïdes de synthèse ont des effets très variés,utiles à caractériser d’un point devue pharmacologique pour mieux préciser les effets de chacun et leurs éventuelles interactions chez l’Homme, a fortiori dans un contexte de large diffusion. Le cannabidiol (CBD) est l’un des principaux phyto-cannabinoïdes présent dans Cannabis sativa, avec le tétrahydrocannabinol (THC). Le CBD a une action pléiotropique notamment sur les récepteurs à la sérotonine, à la dopamine et pas ou très peu [...]
Lire la suiteCadre de l’expérimentation du cannabis à usage médical https://www.ansm.sante.fr/Dossiers/Cannabis-a-usage-medical/Cadre-de-l-experimentation-du-cannabis-a-usage-medical/(offset)/1 L’expérimention du cannabis à usage médical sera lancée au deuxième semestre 2020. L’objectif principal de cette phase expérimentale est d’évaluer en situation réeller le circuit de prescription et délivrance ainsi que l’adhésion des professionnels de santé et des patients à ces conditions. Son objectif secondaire est de recueillir des premières données françaises d’efficacité et de sécurité. Les éléments les plus importants de ce cadre visent à sécuriser au mieux la prescription et le suivi des patients : Sécurisation de la prescription : le traitement ne pourra être initié que par des médecins qui exercent dans [...]
Lire la suiteCannabis for Sleep: Short-Term Benefit, Long-Term Disruption ? Michael Vlessides Medscape, January 24, 2020 https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/924202_print Patients suffering from chronic pain who take medicinal cannabis to initiate and maintain sleep appear to experience short-term benefit, but long-term use may ultimately disrupt slumber, new research shows. Investigators found whole-plant medical cannabis use was associated with fewer problems with respect to waking up at night, but they also found that frequent medical cannabis use was associated with more problems initiating and maintaining sleep. "Cannabis may improve overall sleep in the short term," study investigator Sharon Sznitman, PhD, University of Haifa Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences in Israel, [...]
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