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Salvia divinorum: An overview of the usage, misuse, and addiction processes

November 29, 2015 / Papers, Psychology, Publications, Salvia / Salvinorin A, Substance Use Disorder / By / , , , ,

Abstract

Salvia divinorum, a sage plant with leaves that can produce a psychoactive high, has been used for hundreds of years for its psycho-mimetic effects in religious rituals in South America. Salvia has now become popular mainly with adolescents and young adults for the short-lived relatively pleasant experiences many consider a “legal high” and its ready availability through Internet purchases. The main (psycho)active compound in salvia is Salvinorin A, a potent κ-opioid agonist and although the short and long-term effects have not been examined in sufficient detail, it is widely believed to have low addictive potential and low toxicity. Recent findings, however, seem to suggest that Salvinorin A can precipitate psychiatric symptoms and negatively affect cognition. Its ready availability and increasingly widespread use requires clinicians to have knowledge and awareness of its effects.

Mahendran, R., Lim, H. A., Tan, J., Chua, S. M., & Winslow, M. (2015). Salvia divinorum: An overview of the usage, misuse, and addiction processes. Asia‐Pacific Psychiatry. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/appy.12225
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Exploring the therapeutic potential of Ayahuasca: acute intake increases mindfulness-related capacities

November 27, 2015 / Ayahuasca, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By / , , , , , , ,

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ayahuasca is a psychotropic plant tea used for ritual purposes by the indigenous populations of the Amazon. In the last two decades, its use has expanded worldwide. The tea contains the psychedelic 5-HT2A receptor agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), plus β-carboline alkaloids with monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting properties. Acute administration induces an introspective dream-like experience characterized by visions and autobiographic and emotional memories. Studies of long-term users have suggested its therapeutic potential, reporting that its use has helped individuals abandon the consumption of addictive drugs. Furthermore, recent open-label studies in patients with treatment-resistant depression found that a single ayahuasca dose induced a rapid antidepressant effect that was maintained weeks after administration. Here, we conducted an exploratory study of the psychological mechanisms that could underlie the beneficial effects of ayahuasca.

METHODS:

We assessed a group of 25 individuals before and 24 h after an ayahuasca session using two instruments designed to measure mindfulness capacities: The Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ).

RESULTS:

Ayahuasca intake led to significant increases in two facets of the FFMQ indicating a reduction in judgmental processing of experiences and in inner reactivity. It also led to a significant increase in decentering ability as measured by the EQ. These changes are classic goals of conventional mindfulness training, and the scores obtained are in the range of those observed after extensive mindfulness practice.

CONCLUSIONS:

The present findings support the claim that ayahuasca has therapeutic potential and suggest that this potential is due to an increase in mindfulness capacities.

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Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey

November 23, 2015 / Headache Pain and Neurological Disorders, LSD, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychiatry & Medicine, Publications / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

Cluster headache is one of the most debilitating pain syndromes. A significant number of patients are refractory to conventional therapies. The Clusterbusters.org medication use survey sought to characterize the effects of both conventional and alternative medications used in cluster headache. Participants were recruited from cluster headache websites and headache clinics. The final analysis included responses from 496 participants. The survey was modeled after previously published surveys and was available online. Most responses were chosen from a list, though others were free-texted. Conventional abortive and preventative medications were identified and their efficacies agreed with those previously published. The indoleamine hallucinogens, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and lysergic acid amide, were comparable to or more efficacious than most conventional medications. These agents were also perceived to shorten/abort a cluster period and bring chronic cluster headache into remission more so than conventional medications. Furthermore, infrequent and non-hallucinogenic doses were reported to be efficacious. Findings provide additional evidence that several indoleamine hallucinogens are rated as effective in treating cluster headache. These data reinforce the need for further investigation of the effects of these and related compounds in cluster headache under experimentally controlled settings.

Schindler, E. A., Gottschalk, C. H., Weil, M. J., Shapiro, R. E., Wright, D. A., & Sewell, R. A. (2015). Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 1-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1107664

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Dimensions of the Psyche

November 19, 2015 / Papers, Philosophy & Religious Studies, Psychology, Publications / By /

Abstract

In conversation with Katherine Olivetti, Stanislav Grof and Richard Tarnas, who have collaborated for over four decades, speak candidly, exploring perinatal experience, non-ordinary states of consciousness, archetypal patterns, and astrology as a transpersonal phenomenon.

Olivetti, K. (2015). Dimensions of the Psyche: A Conversation with Stanislav Grof, MD, and Richard Tarnas, PhD. Jung Journal, 9(4), 98-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19342039.2015.1086937

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The Psychopharmacology of ±3,4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its Role in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

November 18, 2015 / Anxiety Disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By /

Abstract

Prior to 1985, ± 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was readily used as a psychotherapeutic adjunct. As MDMA became popular in treating various psychiatric illnesses by mental health professionals, the public started to abuse the MDMA-containing recreational drug “ecstasy.” This alarmed the DEA, which led to emergency scheduling of MDMA as a Schedule I drug. Due to its scheduling in 1985, human research and clinical use has been limited. The majority of research on MDMA has been focused on the drug’s potential harmful effects rather than its possible therapeutic effects. The limitations on retrospective human studies and preclinical animal models of MDMA neurotoxicity are examined in this analysis. New research has shown that MDMA, used as a catalyst in psychotherapy, is effective in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This review also examines the psychopharmacological basis for the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Specifically, the brain regions involved with both PTSD and those activated by MDMA (i.e., amygdala, anterior cingulate cortex, and hippocampus) are examined. Also, the possible neurochemical mechanisms involved in MDMA’s efficacy in treating PTSD are reviewed.

Amoroso, T. (2015). The Psychopharmacology of±3, 4 Methylenedioxymethamphetamine and its Role in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2015.1094156

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Cytochrome P450 inhibition potential of new psychoactive substances of the tryptamine class

November 17, 2015 / DMT, Neuroscience, Papers, Publications / By / , , , ,

Abstract

New psychoactive substances (NPS) are not tested for their cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibition potential before consumption. Therefore, this potential was explored for tryptamine-derived NPS (TDNPS) including alpha-methyl tryptamines (AMTs), dimethyl tryptamines (DMTs), diallyl tryptamines (DALTs), and diisopropyl tryptamines (DiPTs) using test substrates preferred by the Food and Drug Administration in a cocktail assay. All tested TDNPS with the exception of DMT inhibited CYP2D6 activity with IC50 values below 100 μM. DALTs inhibited CYP2D6 activity similar to paroxetine and quinidine and CYP1A2 activity comparable to fluvoxamine. 5-Methoxy-N,N-diallyltryptamine reduced in vivo the caffeine metabolism in rats consistent with in vitro results. Five of the AMTs also inhibited CYP1A2 activity comparable to amiodarone. AMT and 6-F-AMT inhibited CYP2A6 activity in the range of the test inhibitor tranylcypromine. CYP2B6 activity was inhibited by 19 tryptamines, but weakly compared to efavirenz. CYP2C8 activity was inhibited by five of the tested TDNPS and three showed values comparable to trimethoprim and gemfibrozil. Six tryptamines inhibited CYP2C9 and seven CYP2C19 activities comparable to fluconazole and chloramphenicol, respectively. Nineteen compounds showed inhibition of CYP2E1 and 18 of CYP3A activity, respectively. These results showed that the CYP inhibition by TDNPS might be clinically relevant, but clinical studies are needed to explore this further.

Dinger, J., Woods, C., Brandt, S. D., Meyer, M. R., & Maurer, H. H. (2015). Cytochrome P450 inhibition potential of new psychoactive substances of the tryptamine class. Toxicology Letters. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.11.013
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Plant and Fungal Hallucinogens as Toxic and Therapeutic Agents

November 9, 2015 / Biology & Ethnobotany, DMT, Mescaline / Cacti, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Salvia / Salvinorin A / By / ,

Abstract

This chapter aimed to provide an overview of the large number of hallucinogens of natural origin. Following a literature review, the following hallucinogens were selected for a detailed description that considered their essential chemical groups: indoleamines (N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, bufotenine, psilocybin, and ibogaine), phenylethylamines (mescaline), tropane alkaloids (atropine and scopolamine), cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol), and a neoclerodane diterpenoid (salvinorin A). The following species were included as representative of each drug class: Mimosa tenuiflora, Psychotria viridis, Banisteriopsis caapi, Virola spp., Psilocybe spp., Tabernanthe iboga, Tabernaemontana spp., Lophophora spp., Trichocereus spp., Atropa belladonna, Brugmansia spp., Cannabis sativa, and Salvia divinorum, among others. In addition to psychopharmacological effects, this chapter aims to address the sociocultural and historical use of these hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms, along with the importance of both the set and the setting factors that affect the profound consciousness-altering effects of these compounds. Moreover, the use of animal models to predict the hallucinogenic properties of psychoactive plants and compounds and to investigate the mechanisms of action of psychodysleptic drugs is discussed. This chapter also attempts to establish a parallel between hallucinogens and endogenous neurotransmitters in humans, to compare the pharmacological and psychic action of these compounds, to evaluate hallucinogens’ ability to produce symptoms typical of certain mental disorders during their use, and to investigate the role of these compounds as therapeutic agents in several psychopathological conditions.

Carlini, E. A., & Maia, L. O. (2015). Plant and Fungal Hallucinogens as Toxic and Therapeutic Agents.

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Comparative phenomenology of psilocybin experiences in research and non-research settings

November 1, 2015 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Substance Use Disorder / By / , , ,

Abstract

This study sought to compare questionnaire ratings of subjective experiences after psilocybin when administered in controlled research settings vs. uncontrolled, non-research settings.

Carbonaro, T. M., Klinedinst, M., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2015). Comparative phenomenology of psilocybin experiences in research and non-research settings. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 156, e36-e37.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.1017
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Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation: Abstinence outcomes and qualitative analysis of participant accounts

November 1, 2015 / Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Substance Use Disorder / By / , , , , , ,

Abstract

We assessed long-term (>12 months) outcomes of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation, and qualitatively analyzed participants’ accounts to inform potential psychological mechanisms of treatment efficacy.

Garcia-Romeu, A. P., Noorani, T., Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Garey, L., Zvolensky, M. J., & Schmidt, N. B. (2015). Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation: Abstinence outcomes and qualitative analysis of participant accounts. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 156, e78.  http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.07.1130
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“Herbal seizures” – atypical symptoms after ibogaine intoxication: a case report

October 31, 2015 / Iboga / Ibogaine, Papers, Psychiatry & Medicine, Publications / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Misuse of various new psychotropic substances such as ibogaine is increasing rapidly. Knowledge of their negative side effects is sparse.

CASE PRESENTATION:

We present a case of intoxication with the herbal substance ibogaine in a 22-year-old white man. After taking a cumulative dose of 38 g (taken in two doses), he developed visual memories, nausea and vomiting. He developed a generalized tonic-clonic seizure with additional grand mal seizures. He was treated with midazolam and levetiracetam. Extended drug screenings and computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings were all negative.

CONCLUSIONS:

Knowledge of the side effects of ibogaine has mainly come from reports of cardiovascular complications; seizures are rarely mentioned and experimental findings are inconsistent. It seems that ibogaine acts like a proconvulsive drug at high doses.

Breuer, L., Kasper, B. S., Schwarze, B., Gschossmann, J. M., Kornhuber, J., & Müller, H. H. (2015). “Herbal seizures”–atypical symptoms after ibogaine intoxication: a case report. Journal of medical case reports, 9(1), 1-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13256-015-0731-4
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