Psychedelics

The Harvard Crimson: Experts Discuss Psychedelics Policy in the Global North at Harvard Law School Webinar

Published

1 year ago

March 30, 2023

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The Project on Psychedelics Law and Regulation at Harvard Law School’s Petrie-Flom Center hosted a virtual panel on psychedelics in Europe, Australia, and North America on Monday.

Co-hosted with the RAND Drug Policy Research Center, the event — titled “Psychedelics in the Global North” — is the first of a three-part series that will later explore psychedelics in the Global South and the role of psychedelics in Indigenous groups. The conversation featured four experts from the regions and was moderated by American researcher Beau Kilmer, a senior policy researcher at RAND Corporation.

Speaking from the Australian perspective, Wayne Hall — emeritus professor of Health and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Queensland — said the Australian government was supportive of clinical trials for MDMA — commonly known as ecstasy — and psilocybin, the active ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, respectively.

“In the past, I’ve advocated for government funding for clinical trials on these drugs,” Hall said. “And the Australian government several years ago, in fact, set aside 15 million Australian dollars for the conduct of these clinical trials.”

Pamela Kryskow — the medical lead of mental health nonprofit Roots To Thrive, which offers psychedelic-assisted therapy — discussed developments in the Canadian psychedelics space.

“There’s a strong recognition — especially in British Columbia and I think across Canada — that drug use is really a healthcare issue and a healthcare treatment, and not a criminal or a policing issue,” Kryskow said.

Kryskow also noted the significance of Canada’s federal healthcare system, which dictates that legal decisions made by the federal government are also binding at the province level. She characterized developments in medicinal psychedelics as a largely centralized, national issue.

In contrast to the liberal approaches taken by Australia and Canada, David J. Nutt, director of the Neuropsychopharmacology Unit in the Division of Brain Science at Imperial College London, said he is disappointed by the United Kingdom’s more cautious approach.

“We actually know these drugs do make people’s brains different in a positive way. But has that made any difference in the U.K.?” Nutt asked. “The British government is almost actively avoiding confronting the need to do this research.”

Nutt highlighted recent studies supporting psilocybin’s ability to reduce the effects of depression. In one study, the mean depression scores of patients dropped so dramatically following a single dose of psilocybin that it amounted to what Nutt called “the most powerful single dose treatment of resistant depression there has ever been.”

Margriet van Laar, head of the Drug Monitoring and Policy department at the Trimbos Institute — a Dutch mental health research organization — pointed out increased positive media attention regarding psychedelic drug research.

Highlighting a series of developments in the Netherlands, van Laar drew attention to the legalization of ketamine as a treatment for depression and the creation of a state commission to examine the plausibility of legalizing MDMA for medicinal use.

“These are exciting times in the Netherlands in this field,” said van Laar.

Kryskow concluded by discussing the importance of moving quickly in psychedelic research and policymaking.

“We have to remember patients have access to this right now. Online, everywhere. And so us moving too slow is not serving the patients at all,” Kryskow said. “This is not a molecule in the lab. They have access to this and we have a public duty to get the data out there and show up and lead this.”

Source: https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/3/29/petrie-flom-psychedelics-policy/

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Psychedelics

Press Release: PsychedelicNewsWire Named Official Media Sponsor of the 4th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference

Published

17 hours ago

May 18, 2024

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LOS ANGELES, May 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PsychedelicNewsWire (“PNW”), a specialized communications platform for the psychedelics sector and one of the 60+ brands powered by IBN (“InvestorBrandNetwork”), is pleased to announce that it will be the Official Media Sponsor for the 4^th Annual Psychedelic Therapeutics and Drug Development Conference (“the conference”), an industry flagship event dedicated to research and development of psychedelics in the healthcare space hosted by Arrowhead SciTech Conferences & Events (“Arrowhead”). The event will be held at the iconic Revere Hotel Boston Common, 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116 on 23-24 May 2024

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Risks of Psychedelics for People with Personality Disorders

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

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While psychedelics have shown promise in treating certain mental health conditions, a recent study suggests they may pose risks for individuals with personality disorders. The findings underscore the importance of careful screening and personalized approaches in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Navigating the Psychedelic Landscape: Potential Risks for Individuals with Personality Disorders

Psychedelics, including substances like psilocybin and LSD, have gained significant traction in recent years for their potential therapeutic benefits in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. However, a recent publication in the Journal of Psychopharmacology has raised concerns about the suitability of these substances for individuals with personality disorders.

The study surveyed individuals who had used psychedelics and who were also diagnosed with personality disorders. A considerable number of respondents reported negative and persistent psychological impacts following their psychedelic experiences. Notably, these included heightened anxiety, paranoia, mood instability, and an exacerbation of existing personality disorder symptoms.

Researchers suggest that the vulnerability of individuals with personality disorders to the adverse effects of psychedelics may stem from pre-existing challenges in emotional regulation, self-identity, and interpersonal relationships. The profound and introspective nature of psychedelic experiences can intensify these issues, potentially leading to psychological distress and symptom aggravation.

This research highlights the critical need for thorough screening and assessment in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy. It suggests that individuals with personality disorders might require tailored therapeutic approaches and robust support systems to navigate potential risks and to secure safe and positive outcomes.

Why It Matters

The burgeoning interest in psychedelic therapy underscores the necessity to discern both the potential benefits and risks across different demographic groups. This study contributes valuable insights, particularly for clinicians and researchers, stressing the importance of personalized treatment plans and the cautious consideration of individual vulnerabilities when administering psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Potential Implications

The findings from this study emphasize the need for ethical and responsible practices within the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. There is a pressing requirement for the development of detailed screening protocols that can identify individuals who may be more susceptible to the adverse effects of psychedelics. Furthermore, crafting specialized therapeutic strategies that cater specifically to the needs of individuals with personality disorders is essential for ensuring their safety and overall well-being during and after undergoing psychedelic experiences.

The Bigger Picture

The debate surrounding the therapeutic use of psychedelics is complex, with various factors influencing the suitability of these treatments for different individuals. While there are promising results in general populations, the nuanced needs and potential vulnerabilities of those with personality disorders require careful consideration to prevent harm and maximize therapeutic outcomes. This necessitates ongoing research, improved clinical protocols, and a commitment to patient-centered care in the burgeoning field of psychedelic medicine.

Source: Science Alert

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antidepressants

Treating Depression: Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants

Published

1 week ago

May 9, 2024

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Recent research suggests that psychedelics and traditional antidepressants, while both potentially effective in treating depression, work through distinct mechanisms. Understanding these differences could lead to more personalized and effective treatment approaches. Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants: What are the key differences?

Unlocking the Mysteries of Depression Treatment: Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants

The quest for effective depression treatments continues to be a significant focus in mental health research. Traditional antidepressants, like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), have been a mainstay in treatment, prescribed widely despite varying efficacy among individuals and often accompanying unwanted side effects. In contrast, psychedelics have recently garnered attention for their rapid and enduring antidepressant effects observed in clinical trials.

A recent study has delved into the distinct mechanisms of action of SSRIs and psychedelics, illuminating how they uniquely influence the brain and potentially alleviate symptoms of depression. SSRIs primarily increase serotonin levels in the brain, which is believed to enhance mood and diminish depressive symptoms. However, this process can require several weeks to manifest noticeable effects, and not all patients respond favorably to SSRIs.

Conversely, psychedelics such as psilocybin, found in “magic mushrooms,” operate through a different mechanism. Research indicates that psilocybin’s antidepressant effects are not directly due to elevated serotonin levels. Instead, psilocybin is thought to promote neuroplasticity, the brain’s capacity to reorganize and form new neuronal connections. This heightened neuroplasticity may facilitate more adaptable thought patterns and an improved ability to process emotions, contributing to the rapid and sustained antidepressant effects seen in clinical trials.

Moreover, the study examined the role of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, a primary target for both SSRIs and psychedelics. While SSRIs inhibit this receptor’s activity, psychedelics activate it. Intriguingly, blocking the 5-HT2A receptor did not reduce psilocybin’s antidepressant effects, suggesting that its therapeutic benefits originate from other pathways.

Psychedelics vs. Antidepressants: Why It Matters?

Understanding the distinct mechanisms by which psychedelics and antidepressants affect the brain is crucial for the development of more personalized and effective treatment strategies for depression. This knowledge could lead to enhanced patient selection for specific treatments, reducing trial and error while optimizing outcomes. Furthermore, exploring the unique properties of psychedelics may pave the way for novel antidepressant medications that are quicker acting and have fewer side effects.

Potential Implications

This research could catalyze a shift in depression treatment paradigms, moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to more targeted therapies. By pinpointing the specific mechanisms that underlie different antidepressant interventions, clinicians can customize treatment plans based on individual patient profiles and needs. This personalized approach could improve treatment success rates and enhance the quality of life for individuals battling depression.

What Next?

While the study of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes is still in its nascent stages, the initial findings are promising and suggest that psychedelics may offer a valuable addition to the arsenal of tools for combating depression and other mental health conditions.

Source: Neuroscience News

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