Study: Psychedelics can promote neural plasticity in the prefrontal cortex and expand pathways for mental health

– Credit: Cell Reports 2018 23, 3170–3182DOI: (10.1016/j.celrep.2018.05.022). Copyright © 2018 The Authors ___ Psychedelics in Neurology: Potential for Improving Neuroplasticity (NeurologyTimes): “Back in the 1950s, research was proving that psychedelic agents could be effective in the treatment of various neuropsychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, just as science was exploring their beneficial effects, the counterculture was exploring and embracing their effects. Slowly but surely, psychedelics were associated with rebellious youth and the tumultuous anti-war movement. As a result, the government shut down most of the research. The 1990s saw renewed interest in psychedelic compounds as a means to address neuropsychiatric disorders. Research explored the benefits of MDMA and ketamine to treat mood disorders and posttraumatic stress disorder. Now, a new study sheds even more light on the promise these agents might provide. Neurology Times invited corresponding author David E Olson, PhD, to discuss the study, “Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity,” which appeared in the June issue of Cell Reports… NT: What should clinicians take away from this research? What does this mean for the field? Dr Olson: I’m hopeful that modern research on ketamine and psychedelics will lead to new and more effective strategies for treating mood and anxiety disorders that involve promoting neural plasticity in the prefrontal cortex. We have to think...
Source: SharpBrains - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Health & Wellness Peak Performance Technology Aldous Huxley Brain-Plasticity depression disorders DMT ketamine LSD MDMA Michael Pollan neural plasticity neuroplasticity neuropsychiatric neuropsychiatr Source Type: blogs