OPEN Foundation

Day: 4 November 2017

Multipotent and Poly-therapeutic Fungal Alkaloids of Claviceps purpurea

Abstract

Claviceps are a group of phytopathogenic ascomycetes which includes around 50 known species. Claviceps purpureaClaviceps fusiformisClaviceps paspaliClaviceps africana, and Claviceps lutea are the most common and well-characterized fungi. Ergot alkaloids and other constituents derived from Claviceps are beneficial for various clinical applications in humans and animals. However, they also contain certain chemicals that are extremely addictive, abusive, and lethal. Ergot derivatives exhibit interesting pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects. Their pharmacodynamic actions are attributed to their agonistic, partial agonistic, and antagonistic effects on different receptors pertaining to the monoaminergic neurotransmitters. Due to their binding (with or without intrinsic effects) ability on the receptors, they induce numerous pharmacological effects which have potential medical values. Methysergide, ergotamine, dihydroergotamine, ergometrine (ergonovine), pergolide, ergoloid mesylates, and bromocriptine are the most popular ergot-based drugs used globally for treating numerous diseases. These drugs have been used to treat inflammatory-, infectious-, neurological-, cardiovascular-, gastrointestinal-, endocrinological-, sexual-, and urological-related pathologies. Hence, they are considered as a multipotent and poly-therapeutic fungus.

Majrashi, M., Ramesh, S., Deruiter, J., Mulabagal, V., Pondugula, S., Clark, R., & Dhanasekaran, M. (2017). Multipotent and Poly-therapeutic Fungal Alkaloids of Claviceps purpurea. In Medicinal Plants and Fungi: Recent Advances in Research and Development (pp. 229-252). Springer, Singapore. 10.1007/978-981-10-5978-0_8
Link to full text

Additive Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Compassionate Imagery on Self-Compassion in Recreational Users of Ecstasy

Abstract

3,4-Methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA;‘ecstasy’) produces prosocial subjective effects that may extend to affiliative feelings towards the self. Behavioural techniques can produce similar self-directed affiliation. For example, compassionate imagery (CI) and ecstasy reduce self-criticism and increase self-compassion to a similar extent, with the effects of CI enhanced in the presence of ecstasy. Here, we examine self-compassion and self-criticism in recreational users who consumed chemically verified MDMA in a within-subjects crossover study. In a naturalistic setting, polydrug-using participants performed a self-focused CI exercise on two occasions separated by ≥6 days: once having consumed self-sourced MDMA and once not. Effects on state self-criticism, self-compassion and emotional empathy were assessed before and after MDMA use (or over an extended baseline period on the occasion that MDMA was not consumed) and reassessed after CI. In participants (n = 20; 8 women) whose ecstasy contained MDMA and no other drug, CI and MDMA appeared to separately increase emotional empathy (to critical facial expressions) and self-compassion. The effects of CI and MDMA on self-compassion also appeared to be additive. Establishing the observed effects in controlled studies will be critical for determining the combined utility of these approaches in fostering adaptive self-attitudes in a therapeutic context.

Kamboj, S. K., Walldén, Y. S., Falconer, C. J., Alotaibi, M. R., Blagbrough, I. S., Husbands, S. M., & Freeman, T. P. (2017). Additive Effects of 3, 4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and Compassionate Imagery on Self-Compassion in Recreational Users of Ecstasy. Mindfulness, 1-12. 10.1007/s12671-017-0849-0
Link to full text

2 April - New Insights on Addiction & Psychedelic Healing Followed by a Live Q&A!

X