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MDMA as a Probe and Treatment for Social Behaviors

July 14, 2016 / MDMA, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

MDMA, better known as the recreational drug “ecstasy,” is well known for stimulating a feeling of closeness and empathy in its users. We advocate that exploring its mechanism of action could lead to new treatments for psychiatric conditions characterized by impairments in social behavior.

Heifets, B. D., & Malenka, R. C. (2016). MDMA as a Probe and Treatment for Social Behaviors. Cell, 166(2), 269-272. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.06.045
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From Psychiatry to Flower Power and Back Again: The Amazing Story of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide

July 8, 2016 / Humanities & Art, LSD, Papers, Publications / By /

Abstract

Among the psychedelic drugs that enjoyed a period of popularity in psychiatric research during the 1950s and 1960s, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is the most prominent one. Psychiatrists of that time had seen LSD not only as a tool for psychotherapy but also as a potential therapeutic for anxiety, depression, alcohol abuse, autism, and even schizophrenia. When it became a quasi-religious epitome of the Hippie counterculture in the mid 1960s, and cases of what we now call hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and acute psychotic “flashbacks” mounted, authorities moved to make LSD illegal. Although research was never actually forbidden, the field almost completely dried out until the early 2010s. Using today’s tools of molecular pharmacology, functional imaging, and neuronal network theory, neuropsychiatry is now resurrecting LSD research-with implications that leave us with many medical and ethical questions. Few people are aware that this is a repurposed compound, originally developed in an effort to synthesize a new analeptic. On top of all potential LSD might have in psychiatry, it also serves as a reminder of the unexpected potential that discarded early-stage compounds can have.

Mucke, H. A. (2016). From Psychiatry to Flower Power and Back Again: The Amazing Story of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. ASSAY and Drug Development Technologies. 10.1089/adt.2016.747.

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MDMA and PTSD treatment: “PTSD: From novel pathophysiology to innovative therapeutics”

July 6, 2016 / Anxiety Disorders / PTSD, MDMA, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By /

Abstract

There is a range of therapies to treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) but treatment resistance remains high, with many sufferers experiencing the chronic condition. Engagement in trauma-focused psychotherapy is difficult for some patients with PTSD, especially those with extreme affect dysregulation associated with recall of traumatic memories. In recent years there have been a number of neuroscientific and clinical studies examining the potential role for adjunctive drug-assisted psychotherapy using 3,4,-methylenedioxmethamphetamine (MDMA) as a treatment for PTSD. re-visiting of a novel approach to trauma-focused psychotherapy with Used just two or three times, under careful medical supervision and specialised psychotherapy support MDMA appears to facilitate the recall of traumatic memories without the user feeling overwhelmed by the negative affect that usually accompanies such memories. This therapeutic approach began in the 1980s and was subsequently shelved in the midst of public health concerns surrounding the recreational use of the drug ecstasy. When pharmaceutical grade MDMA is used in a clinical setting it does not share the same risk profiles as ecstasy. Recent phase one neurophysiological studies and phase two clinical studies are showing promise as a potential new approach to managing treatment-resistant PTSD.

Sessa, B. (2016). MDMA and PTSD Treatment. Neuroscience Letters. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2016.07.004
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Efficacy and safety of ketamine in bipolar depression: A systematic review

July 4, 2016 / Depressive Disorders, Ketamine, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By / , , , , , ,

Abstract

The depression is the most prevalent state throughout the life of the bipolar patient. Ketamine has been shown to be an effective and rapid treatment for depression. The objective of the present work is to perform a systematic review on the efficacy and safety of ketamine as treatment of bipolar depression, as well as its different patterns of administration. The search found 10 relevant manuscripts that met the inclusion criteria: one clinical trial, 5 cohort studies, and 4 case reports. Intravenous infusion was used in 60% of the studies. According to data, ketamine seems to be an effective and safe treatment for bipolar depression, although the length of its effect is short. Adverse effects observed generally occurred at the time of infusion, and tended to completely disappear within 1-2h. Therefore, more studies are necessary to explore new patterns of administration, as well as on its safety and adverse effects.

Alberich, S., Martínez-Cengotitabengoa, M., López, P., Zorrilla, I., Núñez, N., Vieta, E., & González-Pinto, A. (2016). Efficacy and safety of ketamine in bipolar depression: A systematic review. Revista de psiquiatria y salud mental. 10.1016/j.rpsm.2016.05.005

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Clinical Applications of Hallucinogens: A Review

July 1, 2016 / Iboga / Ibogaine, Ketamine, LSD, MDMA, Mescaline / Cacti, Mushrooms / Psilocybin, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Salvia / Salvinorin A / By / , ,

Abstract

Hallucinogens fall into several different classes, as broadly defined by pharmacological mechanism of action, and chemical structure. These include psychedelics, entactogens, dissociatives, and other atypical hallucinogens. Although these classes do not share a common primary mechanism of action, they do exhibit important similarities in their ability to occasion temporary but profound alterations of consciousness, involving acute changes in somatic, perceptual, cognitive, and affective processes. Such effects likely contribute to their recreational use. However, a growing body of evidence indicates that these drugs may have therapeutic applications beyond their potential for abuse. This review will present data on several classes of hallucinogens with a particular focus on psychedelics, entactogens, and dissociatives, for which clinical utility has been most extensively documented. Information on each class is presented in turn, tracing relevant historical insights, highlighting similarities and differences between the classes from the molecular to the behavioral level, and presenting the most up-to-date information on clinically oriented research with these substances, with important ramifications for their potential therapeutic value.

Garcia-Romeu, A., Kersgaard, B., & Addy, P. H. (2016). Clinical applications of hallucinogens: A review. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology, 24(4), 229. 10.1037/pha0000084
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Synthesis and biological evaluation of N(9)-substituted harmine derivatives as potential anticancer agents

July 1, 2016 / Ayahuasca, Papers, Psychiatry & Medicine, Publications / By / , , , , ,

Abstract

A series of N(9)-substituted harmine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity on a panel of cancer cell lines, their apoptosis induction and their cell cycle effects. The results showed that N(9)-substituted harmine derivatives had anticancer effects. In particular, N(9)-haloalkyl derivatives 9a-9c and N(9)-acyl harmine derivatives 11c and 11d, with IC50 values less than 1μM, were more potent than doxorubicin against A-549 and/or MCF-7 cell lines. Moreover, structure-activity relationships (SARs) indicated that introducing a haloalkyl or benzenesulfonyl group in the N(9)-position of harmine could significantly increase the anticancer activity. The most active compound (11d) caused cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.
Du, H., Tian, S., Chen, J., Gu, H., Li, N., & Wang, J. (2016). Synthesis and biological evaluation of N 9-substituted harmine derivatives as potential anticancer agents. Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters, 26(16), 4015-4019. 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.06.087
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A Model for the Application of Target-Controlled Intravenous Infusion for a Prolonged Immersive DMT Psychedelic Experience

June 30, 2016 / DMT, Neuroscience, Papers, Psychology, Publications / By / ,

Abstract

The state of consciousness induced by N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is one of the most extraordinary of any naturally-occurring psychedelic substance. Users consistently report the complete replacement of normal subjective experience with a novel “alternate universe,” often densely populated with a variety of strange objects and other highly complex visual content, including what appear to be sentient “beings.” The phenomenology of the DMT state is of great interest to psychology and calls for rigorous academic enquiry. The extremely short duration of DMT effects—less than 20 minutes—militates against single dose administration as the ideal model for such enquiry. Using pharmacokinetic modelling and DMT blood sampling data, we demonstrate that the unique pharmacological characteristics of DMT, which also include a rapid onset and lack of acute tolerance to its subjective effects, make it amenable to administration by target-controlled intravenous infusion. This is a technology developed to maintain a stable brain concentration of anaesthetic drugs during surgery. Simulations of our model demonstrate that this approach will allow research subjects to be induced into a stable and prolonged DMT experience, making it possible to carefully observe its psychological contents, and provide more extensive accounts for subsequent analyses. This model would also be valuable in performing functional neuroimaging, where subjects are required to remain under the influence of the drug for extended periods. Finally, target-controlled intravenous infusion of DMT may aid the development of unique psychotherapeutic applications of this psychedelic agent.

Gallimore, A. R. and Strassman, R. (2016). A Model for the Application of Target-Controlled Intravenous Infusion for a Prolonged Immersive DMT Psychedelic Experience. Frontiers in Pharmacology. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00211
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Ketamine abuse potential and use disorder

June 27, 2016 / Ketamine, Neuroscience, Papers, Publications / By / , , ,

Abstract

Ketamine is a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-d-asparate (NMDA) receptor and has been long used as an anesthetic agent in humans and veterinary medicine. The present article reviews the epidemiology, pharmacology, neurochemistry, and treatment of ketamine abuse. Ketamine has a unique mood controlling property and a number of studies have demonstrated a significant and rapid antidepressant effect of ketamine. However, the therapeutic value of ketamine to treat psychiatric disorders faces a major challenge that ketamine also owns significant reinforcing and toxic effects. Its abuse has posted severe harms on individuals and society. Disrupted learning and memory processing has long been related with ketamine use. It is hypothesized that ketamine blocks NMDA receptors on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons inside the thalamic reticular nucleus, which leads to disinhibition of dopaminergic neurons and increased release of dopamine. Currently, there is no specific treatment for treating every ketamine patient presenting peripheral toxicity. Interestingly, ketamine psychotherapy has been suggested to be a promising approach to treat addiction of other drugs. Future research can continue to develop creative ways to investigate potential mechanism and treatments related to ketamine abuse that have posted severe individual and social harms.

Liu, Y., Lin, D., Wu, B., & Zhou, W. (2016). Ketamine abuse potential and use disorder. Brain research bulletin. http://dx.doi.org/0.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.05.016
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Major Depressive Disorder Induced by Chronic Ketamine Abuse: A Case Report

June 23, 2016 / Depressive Disorders, Ketamine, Papers, Psychology, Publications, Substance Use Disorder / By / , ,

Abstract

Ketamine, an NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) glutamate antagonist, commonly used as an anesthetic agent, has emerged as a major substance of abuse particularly in Asia.1 Here, we present, to our knowledge, the first case of a patient who developed major depressive episodes after heavy and long-term ketamine use.

Chang, H., Huang, M. C., & Chen, L. Y. (2016). Major Depressive Disorder Induced by Chronic Ketamine Abuse: A Case Report. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, 18(3). 10.4088%2FPCC.15l01881
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Spirituality, drugs, and tourism: tourists’ and shamans’ experiences of ayahuasca in Iquitos, Peru

June 22, 2016 / Anthropology & Sociology, Ayahuasca, Papers, Publications / By / , , ,

Abstract

This study critically evaluates the complex inter space of spirituality, drugs, and tourism through tourists’ and shamans’ accounts of ayahuasca tourism in Iquitos, Peru. Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic beverage traditionally consumed for spiritual and health purposes. Using micro-ethnography, one of the researchers was immersed for one month in the tourism experience of ayahuasca. The findings reveal the ambivalent nature of tourists’ experiences and the changing meaning and practices of ayahuasca. Tourists’ encounters with ayahuasca were perceived as spiritual due to better understanding and perception of ‘self’ and ‘others’. Shamans’ encounters with tourists were mostly positive but negative consequences on their practices were evident. The study highlights issues of fluidity, positionality, and self-identification of roles in tourism.

Prayag, G., Mura, P., Hall, C. M., & Fontaine, J. (2016). Spirituality, drugs, and tourism: tourists’ and shamans’ experiences of ayahuasca in Iquitos, Peru. Tourism Recreation Research, 1-12. 10.1080/02508281.2016.1192237
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