Given the growing popularity of ayahuasca and other hallucinogens, we sought to identify related expectancies and their role in why people might use this psychoactive brew rather than classic hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin.Experienced users (N = 139) completed an online survey about their use of hallucinogens (including ayahuasca), how their ayahuasca experiences differed from those with other hallucinogens, as well as their intentions to use hallucinogens (including ayahuasca) in the future.Participants expected ayahuasca effects to differ meaningfully from the effects of other hallucinogens in multiple domains. Expected differences involved positive connections to nature (and other people), dramatic (or terrifying) thoughts, high variability of effects, and physical reactions. Intentions to use ayahuasca in the future increased as expectancies for positive connections increased, but decreased as physical reactions increased. One version of the full Novelty of Ayahuasca scale significantly covaried with the likelihood of using ayahuasca over other hallucinogens in the future, while another version did not. This result calls for further work examining how users perceive certain ayahuasca-induced effects.These findings reveal that expectancies for ayahuasca differ from those for other hallucinogens, and impact an individual's willingness to try the substance again. Understanding these differences might help those who are interested in the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens decide among those available. Future studies might examine how these expectancies predict intentions to use ayahuasca (and other hallucinogens) longitudinally. Comparable approaches could also identify unique expectancies for other hallucinogens to see if those predict a preference for one over others.
{"title":"The Novelty of Ayahuasca Scale and the prediction of intentions to use","authors":"Brianna R. Altman, M. Mian, M. Earleywine","doi":"10.1556/2054.2020.00117","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2020.00117","url":null,"abstract":"Given the growing popularity of ayahuasca and other hallucinogens, we sought to identify related expectancies and their role in why people might use this psychoactive brew rather than classic hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin.Experienced users (N = 139) completed an online survey about their use of hallucinogens (including ayahuasca), how their ayahuasca experiences differed from those with other hallucinogens, as well as their intentions to use hallucinogens (including ayahuasca) in the future.Participants expected ayahuasca effects to differ meaningfully from the effects of other hallucinogens in multiple domains. Expected differences involved positive connections to nature (and other people), dramatic (or terrifying) thoughts, high variability of effects, and physical reactions. Intentions to use ayahuasca in the future increased as expectancies for positive connections increased, but decreased as physical reactions increased. One version of the full Novelty of Ayahuasca scale significantly covaried with the likelihood of using ayahuasca over other hallucinogens in the future, while another version did not. This result calls for further work examining how users perceive certain ayahuasca-induced effects.These findings reveal that expectancies for ayahuasca differ from those for other hallucinogens, and impact an individual's willingness to try the substance again. Understanding these differences might help those who are interested in the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens decide among those available. Future studies might examine how these expectancies predict intentions to use ayahuasca (and other hallucinogens) longitudinally. Comparable approaches could also identify unique expectancies for other hallucinogens to see if those predict a preference for one over others.","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2020-03-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2020.00117","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48445682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nathan D. Sepeda, J. Clifton, Laura Y. Doyle, R. Lancelotta, R. Griffiths, Alan K. Davis
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent, short-acting psychedelic that produces strong hallucinogenic effects. The association between the context (i.e., set and setting) of 5-MeO-DMT use and the acute and enduring effects of the substance is unknown. Therefore, this study examined these associations using secondary data from two cross-sectional survey studies. The acute and enduring effects of inhaled synthetic 5-MeO-DMT were compared between individuals who used 5-MeO-DMT in a non-structured context (NSC; n = 216, female = 10%, Mage = 35.5, SD = 11.8) and those who used in a structured context (SC; n = 362, female = 45%, Mage = 47.7, SD = 13.3). Questionnaires were administered online and responses were anonymized for privacy purposes. Respondents were asked to retrospectively rate their first experience with synthesized 5-MeO-DMT on measures of mystical experience, challenging experience, and enduring effects. Both groups endorsed high ratings on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire; however, mean scores were significantly higher in the SC group compared to the NSC group. Similarly, the proportion of respondents who had a complete mystical experience was significantly larger in the SC group (83%) compared to the NSC group (54%). Ratings of enduring effects (i.e., meaningfulness, spirituality, and well-being) were also significantly higher, and the intensity of challenging experiences was significantly lower, in the SC group compared to the NSC group. 5-MeO-DMT appears to occasion mystical-type experiences with enduring positive effects, which are more intense when 5-MeO-DMT is administered in a safe and supportive context. Future prospective experimental studies should examine the effects of 5-MeO-DMT and its interactive relationship with supportive contextual factors.
{"title":"Inhaled 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Supportive context associated with positive acute and enduring effects","authors":"Nathan D. Sepeda, J. Clifton, Laura Y. Doyle, R. Lancelotta, R. Griffiths, Alan K. Davis","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.033","url":null,"abstract":"5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent, short-acting psychedelic that produces strong hallucinogenic effects. The association between the context (i.e., set and setting) of 5-MeO-DMT use and the acute and enduring effects of the substance is unknown. Therefore, this study examined these associations using secondary data from two cross-sectional survey studies. The acute and enduring effects of inhaled synthetic 5-MeO-DMT were compared between individuals who used 5-MeO-DMT in a non-structured context (NSC; n = 216, female = 10%, Mage = 35.5, SD = 11.8) and those who used in a structured context (SC; n = 362, female = 45%, Mage = 47.7, SD = 13.3). Questionnaires were administered online and responses were anonymized for privacy purposes. Respondents were asked to retrospectively rate their first experience with synthesized 5-MeO-DMT on measures of mystical experience, challenging experience, and enduring effects. Both groups endorsed high ratings on the Mystical Experience Questionnaire; however, mean scores were significantly higher in the SC group compared to the NSC group. Similarly, the proportion of respondents who had a complete mystical experience was significantly larger in the SC group (83%) compared to the NSC group (54%). Ratings of enduring effects (i.e., meaningfulness, spirituality, and well-being) were also significantly higher, and the intensity of challenging experiences was significantly lower, in the SC group compared to the NSC group. 5-MeO-DMT appears to occasion mystical-type experiences with enduring positive effects, which are more intense when 5-MeO-DMT is administered in a safe and supportive context. Future prospective experimental studies should examine the effects of 5-MeO-DMT and its interactive relationship with supportive contextual factors.","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.033","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49093863","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Although it is exciting to witness the culmination of decades of drug policy advocacy and clinical research, the psychedelic science movement struggles with many of the same social issues that plague healthcare in general. The healing properties of plant medicines and their derivatives were originally brought to Western consciousness by indigenous cultures from all over the world. These practices are now being adapted to Western models of healthcare, in part, to achieve governmental approval as medical treatments. The current models of psychedelic psychotherapy being utilized in clinical trials are resource-intensive and therefore likely to remain out of reach for the socioeconomically disadvantaged if approved as medical treatments. Moreover, people of color and women are uncommon in leadership positions in the psychedelic research community, and few people of color are included as research participants in psychedelic studies. This piece introduces a special issue with a focus on issues of diversity, equity, and accessibility in psychedelic medicine.
{"title":"Diversity, equity, and access in psychedelic medicine","authors":"Monnica T. Williams, B. Labate","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.032","url":null,"abstract":"Although it is exciting to witness the culmination of decades of drug policy advocacy and clinical research, the psychedelic science movement struggles with many of the same social issues that plague healthcare in general. The healing properties of plant medicines and their derivatives were originally brought to Western consciousness by indigenous cultures from all over the world. These practices are now being adapted to Western models of healthcare, in part, to achieve governmental approval as medical treatments. The current models of psychedelic psychotherapy being utilized in clinical trials are resource-intensive and therefore likely to remain out of reach for the socioeconomically disadvantaged if approved as medical treatments. Moreover, people of color and women are uncommon in leadership positions in the psychedelic research community, and few people of color are included as research participants in psychedelic studies. This piece introduces a special issue with a focus on issues of diversity, equity, and accessibility in psychedelic medicine.","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43504339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This paper reflects on potential contributions from anthropology to the field of “psychedelic science.” Although the discipline’s beginnings went hand in hand with colonialism, it has made significant contributions to the understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems. Furthermore, recent calls to decolonize our theoretical frameworks and methodology, notably the “ontological turn,” open up the space for engaging meaningfully with Indigenous worldviews. At this critical juncture of the “psychedelic renaissance,” it is important to reflect on whether the current model is satisfactory and on ways to decolonize psychedelic science. What we need is a shift in paradigm, one that will acknowledge the validity of Indigenous worldviews as equal partners to scientific inquiry. Acknowledging the contributions of Indigenous knowledges to psychedelic science is necessary and needs to go hand in hand with attempts to revise biomedical models to be more inclusive in substantial ways. The paper does not argue for the abandonment of the scientific paradigm, rather for the abandonment of its privileged position. Decolonizing psychedelic science will require allowing multiple perspectives to coexist and contribute equally to our efforts going forward.
{"title":"The role of Indigenous knowledges in psychedelic science","authors":"Evgenia Fotiou","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.031","url":null,"abstract":"This paper reflects on potential contributions from anthropology to the field of “psychedelic science.” Although the discipline’s beginnings went hand in hand with colonialism, it has made significant contributions to the understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems. Furthermore, recent calls to decolonize our theoretical frameworks and methodology, notably the “ontological turn,” open up the space for engaging meaningfully with Indigenous worldviews. At this critical juncture of the “psychedelic renaissance,” it is important to reflect on whether the current model is satisfactory and on ways to decolonize psychedelic science. What we need is a shift in paradigm, one that will acknowledge the validity of Indigenous worldviews as equal partners to scientific inquiry. Acknowledging the contributions of Indigenous knowledges to psychedelic science is necessary and needs to go hand in hand with attempts to revise biomedical models to be more inclusive in substantial ways. The paper does not argue for the abandonment of the scientific paradigm, rather for the abandonment of its privileged position. Decolonizing psychedelic science will require allowing multiple perspectives to coexist and contribute equally to our efforts going forward.","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.031","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48439500","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Although Native American communities are unique in their beliefs, traditions, and languages, there are some fundamental common belief systems shared by most Native American cultures. Therapists and other practitioners engaging in a healing relationship with Native Peoples should be aware of these fundamental aspects of the Native American culture. This includes trust/respect, confidentiality outside of the context therapeutic setting, culturally based therapy that is inclusive of Native American traditions, and culture, and making efforts to gain an understanding of the culture with which one will be interacting.
{"title":"Considerations for psychedelic therapists when working with Native American people and communities","authors":"Belinda Eriacho","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.030","url":null,"abstract":"Although Native American communities are unique in their beliefs, traditions, and languages, there are some fundamental common belief systems shared by most Native American cultures. Therapists and other practitioners engaging in a healing relationship with Native Peoples should be aware of these fundamental aspects of the Native American culture. This includes trust/respect, confidentiality outside of the context therapeutic setting, culturally based therapy that is inclusive of Native American traditions, and culture, and making efforts to gain an understanding of the culture with which one will be interacting.","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49089120","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. H. Rodriguez, S. Zallek, Michael Xu, J. Aldag, Lori Russel-Chapin, T. Mattei, N. Litofsky
Music has been associated with therapeutic properties for thousands of years across a vast number of diverse regions and cultures. This study expands upon our current understanding of music’s influence on human neurophysiology by investigating the effects of various music genres on cerebral cortex activity using electroencephalography (EEG). A randomized, controlled study design was used. EEG data were recorded from 23 healthy adults, aging 18–29 years, while listening to a music sequence consisting of five randomized songs and two controls. The five studied music genres include: Classical, Tribal Downtempo, Psychedelic Trance (Psytrance), Goa Trance, and Subject Choice. Controls were most strongly associated with relative decreases in beta frequencies and increases in alpha frequencies. Psytrance was most strongly associated with relative increases in theta and delta frequencies. The lowest relative percentages of beta frequencies and highest relative percentages of alpha frequencies occurred in the occipital and parietal regions. The highest relative percentages of theta and delta frequencies occurred in the frontal and temporal regions. Subjects with prior music training exhibited relative increases in delta frequencies in the frontal region. Subject gender and music preferences did not have a significant influence on EEG activity. Findings from this study support those of previous music therapy studies and provide novel insights regarding music’s influence on human neurophysiology. Our findings also support the hypothesis that music may promote changes in cerebral cortex activity that has similarities to non-rapid eye movement sleep, while the listener remains awake.
{"title":"Neurophysiological effects of various music genres on electroencephalographic cerebral cortex activity","authors":"A. H. Rodriguez, S. Zallek, Michael Xu, J. Aldag, Lori Russel-Chapin, T. Mattei, N. Litofsky","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.027","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 Music has been associated with therapeutic properties for thousands of years across a vast number of diverse regions and cultures. This study expands upon our current understanding of music’s influence on human neurophysiology by investigating the effects of various music genres on cerebral cortex activity using electroencephalography (EEG).\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 A randomized, controlled study design was used. EEG data were recorded from 23 healthy adults, aging 18–29 years, while listening to a music sequence consisting of five randomized songs and two controls. The five studied music genres include: Classical, Tribal Downtempo, Psychedelic Trance (Psytrance), Goa Trance, and Subject Choice.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Controls were most strongly associated with relative decreases in beta frequencies and increases in alpha frequencies. Psytrance was most strongly associated with relative increases in theta and delta frequencies. The lowest relative percentages of beta frequencies and highest relative percentages of alpha frequencies occurred in the occipital and parietal regions. The highest relative percentages of theta and delta frequencies occurred in the frontal and temporal regions. Subjects with prior music training exhibited relative increases in delta frequencies in the frontal region. Subject gender and music preferences did not have a significant influence on EEG activity.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Findings from this study support those of previous music therapy studies and provide novel insights regarding music’s influence on human neurophysiology. Our findings also support the hypothesis that music may promote changes in cerebral cortex activity that has similarities to non-rapid eye movement sleep, while the listener remains awake.\u0000","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-11-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.027","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44754622","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Set and setting function both as a concept that guides research and practice with psychedelic drugs and as a meme aimed at reducing harm among psychedelic users. Referring to non-pharmacological factors that shape drug experiences, the concept of set and setting was popularized in the West during the mid-20th century. However, little theoretical development has occurred regarding what falls under the umbrella of set and setting since its conception. By bridging set and setting theory with research from the fields of social psychology and sociology of medicine, this review calls attention to how race can contribute the set and setting for a psychedelic experience. I argue that psychosocial factors influencing racial differences in mental health also constitute meaningful differences in set. Furthermore, I suggest that the character of race relations in the United States provides a distinct cultural setting for racialized psychedelic users, both in therapeutic and naturalistic contexts. In turn, racial identification may contribute to the variation in framing and interpretation of psychedelic experiences. These considerations have important implications beyond understanding non-pharmacological influences on psychedelic experiences, including developing protocols for clinical applications of psychedelics, educating future practitioners, and meeting the needs of diverse patient populations.
{"title":"Race as a component of set and setting: How experiences of race can influence psychedelic experiences","authors":"Logan Neitzke-Spruill","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.022","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 Set and setting function both as a concept that guides research and practice with psychedelic drugs and as a meme aimed at reducing harm among psychedelic users. Referring to non-pharmacological factors that shape drug experiences, the concept of set and setting was popularized in the West during the mid-20th century. However, little theoretical development has occurred regarding what falls under the umbrella of set and setting since its conception.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 By bridging set and setting theory with research from the fields of social psychology and sociology of medicine, this review calls attention to how race can contribute the set and setting for a psychedelic experience.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 I argue that psychosocial factors influencing racial differences in mental health also constitute meaningful differences in set. Furthermore, I suggest that the character of race relations in the United States provides a distinct cultural setting for racialized psychedelic users, both in therapeutic and naturalistic contexts. In turn, racial identification may contribute to the variation in framing and interpretation of psychedelic experiences.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 These considerations have important implications beyond understanding non-pharmacological influences on psychedelic experiences, including developing protocols for clinical applications of psychedelics, educating future practitioners, and meeting the needs of diverse patient populations.\u0000","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-09-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.022","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41527660","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We are in the midst of a psychedelic research renaissance. With research examining the efficacy of psychedelics as a treatment for a range of mental health indications still in its early stages, there is an increasing body of research to show that careful use of psychedelics can yield a variety of benefits in “healthy normals” and so lead to “the betterment of well people.” Psychedelics have been found to modulate neuroplasticity, and usage in a supportive setting can result in enduring increases in traits such as well-being, life satisfaction, life meaning, mindfulness, and a variety of measures associated with prosocial behaviors and healthy psychological functioning. The effect of psychedelic experience on measures of personality trait openness and is potential implications is examined, and the potential role of awe as a mediator of the benefits of the psychedelic experience is discussed. Special attention is given to the capacity of psychedelics to increase measures of nature relatedness in an enduring sense, which is being correlated with a broad range of measures of psychological well-being as well as a key predictor of pro-environmental awareness and behavior. The effects of particular classical psychedelic compounds on healthy people are discussed, with special attention given to the mystical-type experiences occasioned by high doses of psychedelics, which appear to be an important mediator of long-term benefits and psychotherapeutic gains. Research looking at the potential benefits of psychedelic microdosing is discussed. Potential future research avenues are explored, focusing on the potential development of psychedelics as agents of ecotherapy.
{"title":"Psychedelics and potential benefits in “healthy normals”: A review of the literature","authors":"Sam Gandy","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.029","url":null,"abstract":"We are in the midst of a psychedelic research renaissance. With research examining the efficacy of psychedelics as a treatment for a range of mental health indications still in its early stages, there is an increasing body of research to show that careful use of psychedelics can yield a variety of benefits in “healthy normals” and so lead to “the betterment of well people.” Psychedelics have been found to modulate neuroplasticity, and usage in a supportive setting can result in enduring increases in traits such as well-being, life satisfaction, life meaning, mindfulness, and a variety of measures associated with prosocial behaviors and healthy psychological functioning. The effect of psychedelic experience on measures of personality trait openness and is potential implications is examined, and the potential role of awe as a mediator of the benefits of the psychedelic experience is discussed. Special attention is given to the capacity of psychedelics to increase measures of nature relatedness in an enduring sense, which is being correlated with a broad range of measures of psychological well-being as well as a key predictor of pro-environmental awareness and behavior. The effects of particular classical psychedelic compounds on healthy people are discussed, with special attention given to the mystical-type experiences occasioned by high doses of psychedelics, which appear to be an important mediator of long-term benefits and psychotherapeutic gains. Research looking at the potential benefits of psychedelic microdosing is discussed. Potential future research avenues are explored, focusing on the potential development of psychedelics as agents of ecotherapy.","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.029","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49474007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Avery Sapoznikow, Z. Walsh, Kenneth W. Tupper, E. Erowid, F. Erowid
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic decoction prepared from two (or more) plants containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors, N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and other chemicals. Ayahuasca has apparently been used for centuries in the Amazon basin of South America, and in recent years has increasingly been used internationally in diverse contexts. This study aims to elucidate differences between cross-cultural ceremonial and psychonautic contexts of ayahuasca use. This study systematically examines subjective differences across contexts for contemporary ayahuasca-drinking practices. User reports of ayahuasca experiences were subjected to textual analysis to compare use in cross-culturalceremonial contexts that attempt to include elements of traditional Amazonian practices, with psychonautic use that does not formally integrate traditional ceremonial aspects. The experience reports were collected from an online database. The use of ayahuasca in a cross-cultural ceremonial context is associated with prominence of affective and motivational features, whereas psychonautic use was associated with an emphasis on cognitive processes. The beneficial effects of ayahuasca may operate via affective processing and integration and as such, cross-cultural ceremonial use may have advantages relative to psychonautic use. Findings are considered in light of the importance of context on experiences with ayahuasca and other psychedelic substances.
{"title":"The influence of context on ayahuasca experiences: An analysis of experience reports","authors":"Avery Sapoznikow, Z. Walsh, Kenneth W. Tupper, E. Erowid, F. Erowid","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.028","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 Ayahuasca is a psychedelic decoction prepared from two (or more) plants containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors, N, N-dimethyltryptamine, and other chemicals. Ayahuasca has apparently been used for centuries in the Amazon basin of South America, and in recent years has increasingly been used internationally in diverse contexts. This study aims to elucidate differences between cross-cultural ceremonial and psychonautic contexts of ayahuasca use.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 This study systematically examines subjective differences across contexts for contemporary ayahuasca-drinking practices. User reports of ayahuasca experiences were subjected to textual analysis to compare use in cross-culturalceremonial contexts that attempt to include elements of traditional Amazonian practices, with psychonautic use that does not formally integrate traditional ceremonial aspects. The experience reports were collected from an online database.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 The use of ayahuasca in a cross-cultural ceremonial context is associated with prominence of affective and motivational features, whereas psychonautic use was associated with an emphasis on cognitive processes.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 The beneficial effects of ayahuasca may operate via affective processing and integration and as such, cross-cultural ceremonial use may have advantages relative to psychonautic use. Findings are considered in light of the importance of context on experiences with ayahuasca and other psychedelic substances.\u0000","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.028","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45567666","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Given the enormous global burden of depressive illness, there is an urgent need to develop novel and more effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent findings have suggested that psychedelic drugs may have a role in the treatment of depressive symptoms, and a number of groups are in the process of developing protocols to study this question systematically. Given the subjective quality of both the psychedelic experience and depressive symptomatology, great care must be taken when designing a protocol to study the clinical efficacy of psychedelic drugs. This study will discuss many factors to consider when designing a clinical trial of psilocybin for MDD. We provide a thorough review of pertinent research into antidepressant clinical trial methodology and review practical considerations that are relevant to the study of psychedelic-assisted treatment for depression. We discuss participant selection (including diagnostic accuracy, exclusion criteria, characteristics of the depressive episode, and the use of concurrent medications), study interventions (including dosing regimens, placebo selection, non-pharmacological components of treatment, and the importance of blinding), trial duration, outcome measures, and safety considerations. Careful and transparent study design and data analysis will maximize the likelihood of generating meaningful, reproducible results, and identifying a treatment-specific effect. Meeting the highest standards for contemporary trial design may also broaden the acceptance of psychedelic research in the scientific community at large.
{"title":"Psilocybin for depression: Considerations for clinical trial design","authors":"K. O’Donnell, S. Mennenga, M. Bogenschutz","doi":"10.1556/2054.2019.026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2019.026","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000 \u0000 Given the enormous global burden of depressive illness, there is an urgent need to develop novel and more effective treatments for major depressive disorder (MDD). Recent findings have suggested that psychedelic drugs may have a role in the treatment of depressive symptoms, and a number of groups are in the process of developing protocols to study this question systematically. Given the subjective quality of both the psychedelic experience and depressive symptomatology, great care must be taken when designing a protocol to study the clinical efficacy of psychedelic drugs. This study will discuss many factors to consider when designing a clinical trial of psilocybin for MDD.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 We provide a thorough review of pertinent research into antidepressant clinical trial methodology and review practical considerations that are relevant to the study of psychedelic-assisted treatment for depression.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 We discuss participant selection (including diagnostic accuracy, exclusion criteria, characteristics of the depressive episode, and the use of concurrent medications), study interventions (including dosing regimens, placebo selection, non-pharmacological components of treatment, and the importance of blinding), trial duration, outcome measures, and safety considerations.\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 \u0000 Careful and transparent study design and data analysis will maximize the likelihood of generating meaningful, reproducible results, and identifying a treatment-specific effect. Meeting the highest standards for contemporary trial design may also broaden the acceptance of psychedelic research in the scientific community at large.\u0000","PeriodicalId":34732,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychedelic Studies","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2019-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1556/2054.2019.026","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45979776","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
扫码关注我们
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：