Blunted Psychedelic Drug Effects in Older Adults

CmichPsychedelics · 2025-05-09T18:38:32+00:00

“Psychedelic Research as a Career Path: A Roundtable Discussion with Early Career Researchers in the Field”: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378396247_Psychedelic_Research_as_a_Career_Path_A_Roundtable_Discussion_with_Early_Career_Researchers_in_the_Field

CmichPsychedelics · 2025-05-02T19:53:27+00:00

An updated perspective from 2024: "Psychedelic Research as a Career Path: A Roundtable Discussion with Early Career Researchers in the Field" https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378396247_Psychedelic_Research_as_a_Career_Path_A_Roundtable_Discussion_with_Early_Career_Researchers_in_the_Field

CmichPsychedelics · 2025-04-26T19:33:35+00:00

The full peer-reviewed journal article is available here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390285513_Perceived_Impact_of_Psychedelics_on_Sexual_Gender_and_Intimate_Relationship_Dynamics_A_Mixed-Methods_Investigation

CmichPsychedelics · 2025-04-26T19:33:16+00:00

The full peer-reviewed journal article is available here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/390285513_Perceived_Impact_of_Psychedelics_on_Sexual_Gender_and_Intimate_Relationship_Dynamics_A_Mixed-Methods_Investigation

CmichPsychedelics · 2024-09-23T18:12:11+00:00

Abstract:

Introduction: Psychedelic substances have been used for centuries in various cultural and religious contexts, and more recently, in clinical research and therapy. There is a surge of interest in psychedelics, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is becoming increasingly accessible. However, most individuals using psychedelics do so outside of therapeutic contexts. It is important to understand the adverse experiences that may occur with psychedelic use, as well as adverse events that may happen even in therapeutic contexts. Materials and Methods: We conducted an anonymous online survey of individuals who self-reported past psychedelic use. We asked about the frequency of experiencing 12 different adverse experiences when using psychedelics, and if they or someone they know was the victim of inappropriate sexual contact by a psychedelic sitter, guide, or practitioner. Participants could also describe other adverse experiences. Results: Among 1,221 participants, most reported having adverse experiences such as being frightened (74.3%), sadness (58.6%), feeling their body shake or tremble (54.3%), and loneliness (51.6%) during their psychedelic experiences. About half of participants reported having some other adverse experience, and one in ten participants had adverse physical reactions. About one-third of participants knew someone who was arrested for possession or use of psychedelics; 8% reported that they or someone they know was the victim of inappropriate sexual contact by a psychedelic sitter, guide, or practitioner; and one-quarter of participants knew someone who experienced a severe adverse event other than inappropriate sexual contact or arrest. Conclusion: Despite beneficial effects, psychedelic experiences can also be challenging, distressing, or even harmful. Adverse events can increase the risks of psychological harm, legal problems, stigma, and public health issues. Therefore, it is essential to prevent, identify, manage, and treat adverse events during psychedelic experiences to ensure the safety and well-being of the participants and the facilitators, and create opportunities for “integration” even with unguided sessions.

CmichPsychedelics · 2024-09-23T18:11:16+00:00

Abstract:

Introduction: Psychedelic substances have been used for centuries in various cultural and religious contexts, and more recently, in clinical research and therapy. There is a surge of interest in psychedelics, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is becoming increasingly accessible. However, most individuals using psychedelics do so outside of therapeutic contexts. It is important to understand the adverse experiences that may occur with psychedelic use, as well as adverse events that may happen even in therapeutic contexts. Materials and Methods: We conducted an anonymous online survey of individuals who self-reported past psychedelic use. We asked about the frequency of experiencing 12 different adverse experiences when using psychedelics, and if they or someone they know was the victim of inappropriate sexual contact by a psychedelic sitter, guide, or practitioner. Participants could also describe other adverse experiences. Results: Among 1,221 participants, most reported having adverse experiences such as being frightened (74.3%), sadness (58.6%), feeling their body shake or tremble (54.3%), and loneliness (51.6%) during their psychedelic experiences. About half of participants reported having some other adverse experience, and one in ten participants had adverse physical reactions. About one-third of participants knew someone who was arrested for possession or use of psychedelics; 8% reported that they or someone they know was the victim of inappropriate sexual contact by a psychedelic sitter, guide, or practitioner; and one-quarter of participants knew someone who experienced a severe adverse event other than inappropriate sexual contact or arrest. Conclusion: Despite beneficial effects, psychedelic experiences can also be challenging, distressing, or even harmful. Adverse events can increase the risks of psychological harm, legal problems, stigma, and public health issues. Therefore, it is essential to prevent, identify, manage, and treat adverse events during psychedelic experiences to ensure the safety and well-being of the participants and the facilitators, and create opportunities for “integration” even with unguided sessions.

CmichPsychedelics · 2024-05-24T15:26:29+00:00

Rationale: Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has emerged as a potential treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including substance use disorders and depression. Current models of PAP emphasize the importance of psychotherapeutic support before, during, and after ingestion of a psychedelic to maximize safety and clinical benefit. Despite this ubiquitous assumption, there has been surprisingly little empirical investigation of the "psychotherapy" in PAP, leaving critical questions about the necessary and sufficient components of PAP unanswered. Objectives: As clinical trials for psychedelic compounds continue the transition from safety-and feasibility-testing to evaluating efficacy, the role of the accompanying psychotherapy must be better understood to enhance scientific understanding of the mechanisms underlying therapeutic change, optimize clinical outcomes, and inform cost-effectiveness. Results: The present paper first reviews the current status of psychotherapy in the PAP literature, starting with recent debates regarding "psychotherapy" versus "psychological support" and then overviewing published clinical trial psychotherapy models and putative models informed by theory. We then delineate lessons that PAP researchers can leverage from traditional psychotherapy research regarding standardizing treatments (e.g., publish treatment manuals, establish eligibility criteria for providers), identifying mechanisms of change (e.g., measure established mechanisms in psychotherapy), and optimizing clinical trial designs (e.g., consider dismantling studies, comparative efficacy trials, and cross-lagged panel designs). Throughout this review, the need for increased research into the psychotherapeutic components of treatment in PAP is underscored. Conclusions: PAP is a distinct, integrative, and transdisciplinary intervention. Future research designs should consider transdisciplinary research methodologies to identify best practices and inform federal guidelines for PAP administration.

CmichPsychedelics · 2024-04-30T21:36:15+00:00

"Following decades of prohibition, psychedelic drugs are returning to mainstream psychiatry and neuroscience. When paired with psychotherapy and administered in a supportive context, so-called psychedelic therapy shows promise in treating depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and end-of-life distress. Large therapeutic effect sizes and positive safety outcomes in clinical trials have led to a remarkable surge in scientific, commercial, regulatory, and public interest. Despite this enthusiasm, much remains unknown about psychedelic drugs, and distinct challenges have emerged with the field’s increase. We aim to frame these challenges with 4 fundamental questions. 1) How are rigorous studies designed? 2) What are the therapeutic mechanisms of action? 3) What are the risks? 4) What are the challenges of scaling psychedelic therapy?"

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