OPEN Foundation

Day: 29 October 2015

Meta-analysis of short- and mid-term efficacy of ketamine in unipolar and bipolar depression

October 29, 2015 / Depression, Ketamine, Papers, Psychiatry, Psychology, Psychopharmacology, Publications / By / , , ,

Abstract

Among treatments currently assessed in major depression, ketamine, has been proposed of great interest, especially because of its very rapid action. However, the time-course of the antidepressive action of ketamine remained unclear. In the present meta-analysis, we provided a clear and objective view regarding the putative antidepressive effect of ketamine and its time-course. We searched the MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases through December 2013, without limits on year of publication, using the key words ketamine and synonyms for mood disorder or episode. Six randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trials of ketamine in major depression (n=103 patients) were thus identified. Authors were contacted and they all provided original data necessary for this meta-analysis. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated between the depression scores in ketamine and placebo groups at days 1, 2, 3–4, 7 and 14. Ketamine showed an overall antidepressive efficacy from day 1 to day 7. However, the maintenance of its efficacy over time failed to reach significance in bipolar depression after day 3–4. Significant SMDs were not explained by demographic or clinical characteristics of included samples. The present meta-analysis provides a high level of evidence that ketamine has a rapid antidepressive action during one week, especially in unipolar disorder.

Romeo, B., Choucha, W., Fossati, P., & Rotge, J. Y. (2015). Meta-analysis of short-and mid-term efficacy of ketamine in unipolar and bipolar depression. Psychiatry research.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2015.10.032
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Ayahuasca Tourism: Participants in Shamanic Rituals and their Personality Styles, Motivation, Benefits and Risks

October 29, 2015 / Anthropology, Ayahuasca, Indigenous use, Papers, Personal development, Personality, Psychology, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

Ayahuasca continues to attract tourists to South America, where there has been a growth in the number of centers offering hallucinogenic ayahuasca experiences. The aims of this study were to (1) discover the reasons foreigners seek this type of experience; (2) define what an ayahuasca experience entails; (3) discover subjective perceptions of ayahuasca’s benefits and risks; and (4) describe personality styles of participants using the personality questionnaire (PSSI). Participants (N = 77) were persons who had travelled to South America to use ayahuasca. Among the most frequent motivations were curiosity, desire to treat mental health problems, need for self-knowledge, interest in psychedelic medicine, spiritual development, and finding direction in life. Frequently mentioned benefits included self-knowledge, change in the way one relates to oneself, spiritual development, improved interpersonal relations, overcoming mental and physical problems, and gaining a new perspective on life. Stated potential risks included lack of trust in the shaman or organizer, inaccurate information provided by the shaman or organizer, and exposure to dangerous situations. PSSI results showed that people using ayahuasca scored significantly above the norm on the scales of intuition, optimism, ambition, charm, and helpfulness and significantly lower on the scales of distrust and quietness.

Kavenská, V., & Simonová, H. (2015). Ayahuasca Tourism: Participants in Shamanic Rituals and their Personality Styles, Motivation, Benefits and Risks. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 1-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1094590

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30 April - Q&A with Rick Strassman

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