U-shaped curve of psychosis according to cannabis use: New evidence from a snowball sample
Conclusions:
We found there was a U-shaped curve in the association between cannabis use and the positive and negative dimensions of the CAPE score. We also found this association in mania and first-rank experiences. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Branas, A., Barrigon, M. L., Garrido-Torres, N., Perona-Garcelan, S., Rodriguez-Testal, J. F., Lahera, G., Ruiz-Veguilla, M. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Psychiatric comorbidity associated with synthetic cannabinoid use compared to cannabis
Conclusions:
The prominent psychiatric features of SC users as compared to cannabis users in an inpatient setting are psychotic presentations and agitation, which have important treatment implications. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bassir Nia, A., Medrano, B., Perkel, C., Galynker, I., Hurd, Y. L. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Mephedrone and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine: Comparative psychobiological effects as reported by recreational polydrug users
Conclusions:
The acute effects of MDMA and mephedrone were broadly similar. However, the recovery period for mephedrone was more enduring, possibly due to the longer duration of acute session usage. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Jones, L., Reed, P., Parrott, A. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Neurocognitive performance following acute mephedrone administration, with and without alcohol
Recreational use of mephedrone, alone and in combination with alcohol, has increased over the past years. Pharmacological properties of mephedrone share similarities with methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), but its effect on neurocognitive function has not been well established in humans. The present study assessed the effect of mephedrone alone and after co-administration with alcohol on neurocognitive function. It was hypothesised that mephedrone would improve psychomotor performance but impair memory performance, when administered alone. Neurocognitive performance was expected to be impaired following mephedrone when ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: de Sousa Fernandes Perna, E., Papaseit, E., Perez-Mana, C., Mateus, J., Theunissen, E., Kuypers, K., de la Torre, R., Farre, M., Ramaekers, J. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Serotonergic neurotransmission in emotional processing: New evidence from long-term recreational poly-drug ecstasy use
The brain’s serotonergic system plays a crucial role in the processing of emotional stimuli, and several studies have shown that a reduced serotonergic neurotransmission is associated with an increase in amygdala activity during emotional face processing. Prolonged recreational use of ecstasy (3,4-methylene-dioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) induces alterations in serotonergic neurotransmission that are comparable to those observed in a depleted state. In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study, we investigated the responsiveness of the amygdala to emotional face stimuli in recreational ecstasy users as a m...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Laursen, H. R., Henningsson, S., Macoveanu, J., Jernigan, T. L., Siebner, H. R., Holst, K. K., Skimminge, A., Knudsen, G. M., Ramsoy, T. Z., Erritzoe, D. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms
Acute adverse psychological reactions to classic hallucinogens ("bad trips" or "challenging experiences"), while usually benign with proper screening, preparation, and support in controlled settings, remain a safety concern in uncontrolled settings (such as illicit use contexts). Anecdotal and case reports suggest potential adverse acute symptoms including affective (panic, depressed mood), cognitive (confusion, feelings of losing sanity), and somatic (nausea, heart palpitation) symptoms. Responses to items from several hallucinogen-sensitive questionnaires (Hallucinogen Rating Scale, the States of Consciousness Questionna...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Barrett, F. S., Bradstreet, M. P., Leoutsakos, J.-M. S., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences
Acute and enduring adverse effects of psilocybin have been reported anecdotally, but have not been well characterized. For this study, 1993 individuals (mean age 30 yrs; 78% male) completed an online survey about their single most psychologically difficult or challenging experience (worst "bad trip") after consuming psilocybin mushrooms. Thirty-nine percent rated it among the top five most challenging experiences of his/her lifetime. Eleven percent put self or others at risk of physical harm; factors increasing the likelihood of risk included estimated dose, duration and difficulty of the experience, and absence of physica...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Carbonaro, T. M., Bradstreet, M. P., Barrett, F. S., MacLean, K. A., Jesse, R., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R. Tags: Original Papers Source Type: research
Set and setting, psychedelics and the placebo response: An extra-pharmacological perspective on psychopharmacology
Placebo response theory and set and setting theory are two fields which examine how non-biological factors shape the response to therapy. Both consider factors such as expectancy, preparation and beliefs to be crucial for understanding the extra-pharmacological processes which shape the response to drugs. Yet there are also fundamental differences between the two theories. Set and setting concerns itself with response to psychoactive drugs only; placebo theory relates to all therapeutic interventions. Placebo theory is aimed at medical professionals; set and setting theory is aimed at professionals and drug users alike. Pl...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Hartogsohn, I. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
The effects of MDMA on socio-emotional processing: Does MDMA differ from other stimulants?
±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 ...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Bershad, A. K., Miller, M. A., Baggott, M. J., de Wit, H. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
The current state of research on ayahuasca: A systematic review of human studies assessing psychiatric symptoms, neuropsychological functioning, and neuroimaging
Conclusions:
Acute, subacute, and long-term AYA use seems to have low toxicity. Preliminary studies about potential therapeutic effects of AYA need replication due to their methodological limitations. (Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: dos Santos, R. G., Balthazar, F. M., Bouso, J. C., Hallak, J. E. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Psychedelics in the treatment of unipolar mood disorders: a systematic review
Unipolar mood disorders, including major depressive disorder and persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), confer high rates of disability and mortality and a very high socioeconomic burden. Current treatment is suboptimal in most cases and there is little of note in the pharmaceutical development pipeline. The psychedelic drugs, including lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin, were used extensively in the treatment of mood disorders, and other psychiatric conditions, before their prohibition in the late 1960s. They are relatively safe when used in medically controlled environments, with no reported risk of dependenc...
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Rucker, J. J., Jelen, L. A., Flynn, S., Frowde, K. D., Young, A. H. Tags: Reviews Source Type: research
Psilocybin: promising results in double-blind trials require confirmation by real-world evidence
(Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Breckenridge, A., Grobbee, D. E. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for dying cancer patients - aiding the final trip
(Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Spiegel, D. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research
The role of psychedelics in palliative care reconsidered: A case for psilocybin
(Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Kelmendi, B., Corlett, P., Ranganathan, M., DSouza, C., Krystal, J. H. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research
The successful return of psychedelics to psychiatry
(Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology)
Source: Journal of Psychopharmacology - November 29, 2016 Category: Psychiatry Authors: Kleber, H. D. Tags: Commentaries Source Type: research
