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Latest Published Research
Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: results from a prospective, longitudinal survey
This prospective, longitudinal study comprised six sequential surveys that collected data from adults planning to take psilocybin outside clinical research: at time of consent, 2 weeks before, the day before, 1–3 days after, 2–4 weeks after, and 2–3 months after. Results from this study, the largest prospective survey of naturalistic psilocybin use to date, support the potential for psilocybin to produce lasting improvements in mental health symptoms and general wellbeing.
Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
We observed increases in mind perception across a variety of living and non-living targets (e.g., plants, animals). However, we found little to no change in metaphysical beliefs (e.g., dualism) or Atheist-Believer status. Taken together, these findings contrast with those from cross-sectional studies that psychedelic experiences result in changes to Atheist-Believer status and non-naturalistic beliefs but support the relevance of mind perception and mentalization.
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Published in PsyArXiv
Shame, guilt and psychedelic experience: Results from a prospective, longitudinal survey of real-world psilocybin use
Acute experiences of shame or guilt occur commonly with psilocybin, are generally mild in nature but also range to more severe, and are predicted by younger age (for both shame and guilt) and higher trait anxiety (for shame only). In this sample, approximately two-thirds reported some degree of guilt or shame during psilocybin use. Psilocybin on average produces small but enduring decreases in trait shame within the context of largely purposeful and intentional use.
Download the PDF and read about our results.
Published in PsyArXiv
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Main targets of ibogaine and noribogaine associated with its putative anti-addictive effects: A mechanistic overview
Abstract Background: There is a growing interest in studying ibogaine (IBO) as a potential treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs). However, its clinical use has been hindered for mainly two reasons: First, the lack of randomized, controlled studies informing about its safety and efficacy. And second, IBO’s mechanisms of action remain obscure. It has […]
August 9, 2024
The biosynthetic pathway of the hallucinogen mescaline and its heterologous reconstruction
Abstract Mescaline, among the earliest identified natural hallucinogens, holds great potential in psychotherapy treatment. Nonetheless, despite the existence of a postulated biosynthetic pathway for more than half a century, the specific enzymes involved in this process are yet to be identified. In this study, we investigated the cactus Lophophora williamsii (Peyote), the largest known natural […]
Psilocybin‑assisted therapy and HIV‑related shame
As a proposed mediator between stigma-related stressors and negative mental health outcomes, HIV-related shame has been predictive of increased rates of substance use and difficulties adhering to antiretroviral treatment among people with HIV. These downstream manifestations have ultimately impeded progress toward national goals to End the HIV Epidemic, in part due to limited success of […]
August 8, 2024
Psychedelic‑assisted psychotherapy: where is the psychotherapy research?
Abstract 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 beneft. Despite this ubiquitous assumption, there has […]
July 18, 2024
How Do Psychedelics Reduce Fear of Death?
Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that psychedelic experiences, undergone in controlled conditions, can have various durable psychological benefits. One such benefit is reductions in fear of death, which have been attested in both psychiatric patients and healthy people. This paper addresses the question: how, exactly, do psychedelic experiences reduce fear of death? It argues, against some […]
June 19, 2024
Considering the nocebo effect in the psychedelic discourse
ABSTRACT This commentary addresses the potential for a nocebo effect arising from the public discourse on psychedelics, especially considering the increasing interest and engagement with these substances. The resurgence of psychedelics in the public and scientific arenas has led to a proliferation of discussions, both positive and cautionary, about their use. However, an imbalance in […]
June 18, 2024
Psychedelic group-based integration: ethical assessment and initial recommendations
Abstract A number of organizations have developed or are developing psychedelic integration groups, held in person or online. In parallel, there have been calls to make enhanced integration available in the community after clinical trials. Here, we explore a potential reason why individuals may seek out these groups: namely, the feelings of disconnection and loneliness […]
Effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the human heart
Hallucinogenic drugs are used because they have effects on the central nervous system. Their hallucinogenic effects probably occur via stimulation of serotonin receptors, namely, 5-HT2A-serotonin receptors in the brain. However, a close study reveals that they also act on the heart, possibly increasing the force of contraction and beating rate and may lead to arrhythmias. […]
April 29, 2024
Trajectories of sentiment in 11,816 psychoactive narratives
Abstract Objective: Can machine learning (ML) enable data‐driven discovery of how changes in sentiment correlate with different psychoactive experiences? We investigate by training models directly on text testimonials from a diverse 52‐drug pharmacopeia. Methods: Using large language models (i.e. BERT) and 11,816 publicly‐available testimonials, we predicted 28‐dimensions of sentiment across each narrative, and […]
April 23, 2024
Psychedelics and the ‘inner healer’: Myth or mechanism?
Abstract Background: Reference to an intrinsic healing mechanism or an ‘inner healer’ is commonplace amongst psychedelic drug-using cultures. The ‘inner healer’ refers to the belief that psychedelic compounds, plants or concoctions have an intrinsically regenerative action on the mind and brain, analogous to intrinsic healing mechanisms within the physical body, for example, after sickness […]
April 18, 2024
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