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The effects of MDMA on socio-emotional processing: Does MDMA differ from other stimulants?

/ MDMA, Papers, Psychology, Publications / / , , ,

Abstract

±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a popular recreational drug that enhances sociability and feelings of closeness with others. These “prosocial” effects appear to motivate the recreational use of MDMA and may also form the basis of its potential as an adjunct to psychotherapy. However, the extent to which MDMA differs from prototypic stimulant drugs, such as dextroamphetamine, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate, in either its behavioral effects or mechanisms of action, is not fully known. The purpose of this review is to evaluate human laboratory findings of the social effects of MDMA compared to other stimulants, ranging from simple subjective ratings of sociability to more complex elements of social processing and behavior. We also review the neurochemical mechanisms by which these drugs may impact sociability. Together, the findings reviewed here lay the groundwork for better understanding the socially enhancing effects of MDMA that distinguish it from other stimulant drugs, especially as these effects relate to the reinforcing and potentially therapeutic effects of the drug.

Bershad, A. K., Miller, M. A., Baggott, M. J., & de Wit, H. (2016). The effects of MDMA on socio-emotional processing: Does MDMA differ from other stimulants?. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 0269881116663120.
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Ketamine for Depression: An Update

/ Depressive Disorders, Ketamine, Papers, Psychology, Publications / /

Abstract

A decade has now passed since research into the antidepressant effects of ketamine began in earnest, after the clinical trial reported by Zarate et al. in 2006 (1). In that proof-of-concept study, 18 medication-free patients with treatment-resistant major depressive disorder (TRD) showed a large reduction in core depressive symptoms within hours of receiving a single low-dose 0.5 mg/kg intravenous infusion of ketamine as measured by the 21-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale compared with saline placebo.

Murrough, J. W. (2016). Ketamine for Depression: An Update. Biological Psychiatry, 80(6), 416-418. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2016.07.005
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It’s time to take psilocybin seriously as a possible treatment for substance use disorders.

/ Depressive Disorders, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications / /

Bogenschutz, M. P. (2016). It’s time to take psilocybin seriously as a possible treatment for substance use disorders. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 1-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2016.1200060
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It's time to take psilocybin seriously as a possible treatment for substance use disorders.

/ Depressive Disorders, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications / /

Bogenschutz, M. P. (2016). It’s time to take psilocybin seriously as a possible treatment for substance use disorders. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 1-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2016.1200060
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Psilocybin: panacea or placebo?

/ Depressive Disorders, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications / / ,

Abstract

We write with reference to the study on psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, reported by Robin L Carhart-Harris and colleagues in The Lancet Psychiatry. Although we are relieved that attention is once again being given to basic research into depression—after the hiatus created the effective abandonment of this area of research by Big Pharma from 2010 onwards—we are nonetheless deeply concerned that the mistakes that led to this withdrawal are in danger of being repeated. Carhart-Harris and colleagues’ study included 12 patients, and although the investigators reported that eight patients achieved complete remission at 1 week, only five of these patients were still in complete remission after 3 months of follow-up.

Hendrie, C., & Pickles, A. (2016). Psilocybin: panacea or placebo?. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(9), 805-806. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30103-1
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Question-based Drug Development for psilocybin

/ Depressive Disorders, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications / / , ,

Abstract

In The Lancet Psychiatry, Robin Carhart-Harris and colleagues conclude that there is preliminary support for the safety and efficacy of psilocybin for treatment-resistant unipolar depression. This finding is important because more effective pharmacological treatments with acceptable side-effects are urgently needed for patients suffering from depression. We support the limitations the authors have pointed out about the study population and trial design. We also recognise the paucity of well-designed trials in psychiatry that are based on the principles of clinical pharmacology.

Dijkstra, F. M., Jacobs, G. E., & Cohen, A. F. (2016). Question-based Drug Development for psilocybin. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(9), 806-807. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30214-0
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Return of the psychedelics: Psilocybin for treatment resistant depression

/ Depressive Disorders, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications / /

Abstract

Psilocybin, the clinically most researched classic psychedelic has recently been tested for its safety and efficacy in a clinical population of treatment resistant depression. The efficacy of psilocybin in clinical depression previously demonstrated in the elecrophysiologic and neuroimaging findings as also in neuropsychological assessments is further validated by the findings of this rigorously conducted randomized trial. Mechanism of action of psilocybin and efficacy in treatment resistant depression are discussed in this paper. Ethical issues of conducting clinical trials with psychedelics are also discussed with particular emphasis on their relative safety and absence of addiction potential. Implications of these issues for conduct of larger trials for establishing risk benefit ratio in treatment resistant depression are further suggested.

Patra, S. (2016). Return of the psychedelics: Psilocybin for treatment resistant depression. Asian Journal of Psychiatry, 24, 51-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajp.2016.08.010
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The antidepressant effect of ketamine: Mediated by AMPA receptors?

/ Depressive Disorders, Ketamine, Neuroscience, Papers, Psychology, Publications / / , , , ,

Inta, D., Sprengel, R., Borgwardt, S., Lang, U. E., & Gass, P. (2016). The antidepressant effect of ketamine: Mediated by AMPA receptors?. European Neuropsychopharmacology. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.08.002
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