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Day: 1 December 2016

Ecstasy research: will increasing observational data aid our understanding of MDMA?

December 1, 2016 / MDMA, Neuroscience, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By /

Abstract

Over the past three decades, millions of dollars have been spent on thousands of studies attempting to better understand the neurotoxic effects of MDMA. All of the clinical studies have recruited people who use ecstasy—a drug that does often but not always contain MDMA. Although most researchers agree that MDMA is the cause of neurocognitive deficits in ecstasy users, this consensus is based on a large body of literature with many limitations.

Amoroso, T. (2016). Ecstasy research: will increasing observational data aid our understanding of MDMA?. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(12), 1101-1102. 10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30345-5
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The Therapeutic Potential of Ayahuasca

December 1, 2016 / Anxiety Disorders / PTSD, Ayahuasca, Biology & Ethnobotany, Depressive Disorders, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychoactive decoction traditionally utilized by cultural groups throughout parts of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Ecuador during rites of passage, divination, warfare, magico-religious practices, and for healing in ethnomedical contexts. Over the last 150 years, ayahuasca has entered the global sphere and become a focus of scientific inquiry due to its reported use as an effective medicine to diagnose and treat illness. As a result, the use of ayahuasca within a healing context has become widespread and prompted researchers to investigate its putative therapeutic potential. In this chapter, the authors discuss current therapeutic applications of ayahuasca to treat addiction, depression, and anxiety. In this context, we highlight several studies to help facilitate a greater understanding of the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca.

Coe, M. A., & McKenna, D. J. (2017). The Therapeutic Potential of Ayahuasca. In Evidence-Based Herbal and Nutritional Treatments for Anxiety in Psychiatric Disorders (pp. 123-137). Springer International Publishing. 10.1007/978-3-319-42307-4_7

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