Frontier mental health research: psychedelics & drug studies

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29 papers

Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders: Current and Emerging Treatment Options

Amir Garakani, James W. Murrough, Rafael C. Freire, Robyn P. Thom, Kaitlyn Larkin, Frank D. Buono, et al.
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2020 395 citations

This review summarizes drug treatments for adult anxiety disorders (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and specific phobias). It says well-known drugs such as SSRIs and SNRIs are commonly used and approved for some anxiety disorders. The authors found that research into truly new medications is limited, many…

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Pharmacological Receptor Mechanisms and Effects Tryptophan and brain disorders

Mental Health Prevention and Promotion—A Narrative Review

Vijender Singh, Akash Kumar, Snehil Gupta
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2022 211 citations

This review summarizes research on promoting mental wellbeing and preventing mental illness. It says many prevention and promotion programs work, including newer digital and community-based approaches, but most strong evidence comes from high-income countries. The review notes big gaps in real-world use, especially in low- and middle-income countries, and calls…

Digital Mental Health Interventions Health disparities and outcomes Mental Health Treatment and Access

A Hypothesis of Gender Differences in Self-Reporting Symptom of Depression: Implications to Solve Under-Diagnosis and Under-Treatment of Depression in Males

Peixia Shi, Aigang Yang, Qing Zhao, Zhaohua Chen, Xiaomei Ren, Qin Dai
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2021 206 citations

This article proposes a new hypothesis: women report mild-to-moderate depression more often, while men report more severe depression and more suicide. The authors point to possible reasons such as hormone links, men’s tendency to hide feelings or avoid help, and different symptom patterns in men. They say this could mean…

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development Mental Health Treatment and Access

Breakthrough for Trauma Treatment: Safety and Efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Compared to Paroxetine and Sertraline

Allison A. Feduccia, Lisa Jerome, Berra Yazar‐Klosinski, Amy Emerson, Michael C. Mithoefer, Rick Doblin
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2019 168 citations

This review explains why the FDA gave Breakthrough Therapy Designation to MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. It summarizes six Phase 2 trials (2004–2017) in which MDMA was given in up to three 8-hour sessions combined with preparatory and follow-up therapy, and pooled analyses showed a large effect on PTSD symptoms and…

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research Psychedelics and Drug Studies Treatment of Major Depression

Current Status of Cognitive Remediation for Psychiatric Disorders: A Review

Kim, Eun Jin, Bahk, Yong-Chun, Oh, Hyeonju, et al.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2018 119 citations

This review looks at cognitive remediation (CR), which are training methods meant to improve thinking skills in people with psychiatric disorders. It notes that thinking problems are common and hurt daily life. Over the past 50 years the evidence for CR has grown, with the clearest support for treating schizophrenia…

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Mental Health Research Topics Schizophrenia research and treatment

Therapeutic effect of psilocybin in addiction: A systematic review

van der Meer, Pim B., Fuentes, Juan J., Kaptein, Ad A., et al.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2023 111 citations

This systematic review searched for clinical trials of psilocybin for substance use problems up to September 2, 2022. The authors found four trials with 151 patients that tested psilocybin combined with psychotherapy for alcohol or tobacco use. These small trials, including one randomized placebo-controlled trial, reported reductions in heavy drinking…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Post-Psychedelic Reductions in Experiential Avoidance Are Associated With Decreases in Depression Severity and Suicidal Ideation

Richard J. Zeifman, Anne Catherine Wagner, Ros Watts, Hannes Kettner, Lea J. Mertens, Robin Carhart‐Harris
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2020 101 citations

Researchers followed two groups of people who planned to use a psychedelic. They gave questionnaires before the trip, then about two weeks and four weeks after. On average, people reported less avoidance of painful thoughts and feelings, lower depression scores, and less thinking about suicide after using a psychedelic. The…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies Other

Psychedelic therapy in the treatment of addiction: the past, present and future

Rayyan Zafar, Maxim Siegel, Rebecca Harding, Tommaso Barba, Claudio Agnorelli, Shayam Suseelan, et al.
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2023 87 citations

This paper reviews research on using psychedelic drugs to treat addiction. The authors say scientific and medical interest has grown a lot in the last ten years and that early evidence is starting to show these treatments can be safe and may help with psychiatric problems including addiction. The review…

Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Therapeutic use of psilocybin: Practical considerations for dosing and administration

Caroline A. MacCallum, Lindsay A. Lo, Carly A. Pistawka, Jagpaul Kaur Deol
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2022 84 citations

This article gives health care professionals a plain overview of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. It summarizes how psilocybin and its active form psilocin work in the brain, how the body absorbs and clears them, practical issues for dosing and monitoring, legal and access changes, and safety concerns for medically complex patients. The…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Study Protocol for “Psilocybin as a Treatment for Anorexia Nervosa: A Pilot Study”

Spriggs, Meg J., Douglass, Hannah M., Park, Rebecca J., et al.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2021 74 citations

This paper describes a pilot study protocol that will test psilocybin-assisted therapy in 20 adult females with anorexia nervosa. Participants will get up to three oral doses (up to 25 mg) over a 6-week period, with psychological preparation, support people involved, and remote follow-up for 12 months. The study aims…

Body Image and Dysmorphia Studies Digital Mental Health Interventions Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Psychedelic Therapy’s Transdiagnostic Effects: A Research Domain Criteria (RDoC) Perspective

John R. Kelly, Claire M. Gillan, Jack Prenderville, Clare Kelly, Andrew Harkin, Gerard Clarke, et al.
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2021 61 citations

This paper reviews clinical and lab studies about psychedelic therapy, which means using a psychedelic drug together with psychological support. The authors say this approach looks promising for several different mental health problems that share rigid or harmful patterns of feeling, thinking, or acting — especially major depression, depression that…

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Rising global burden of anxiety disorders among adolescents and young adults: trends, risk factors, and the impact of socioeconomic disparities and COVID-19 from 1990 to 2021

Fengsai Bie, Xiao-ling YAN, Jie Xing, Leilei Wang, Yang Xu, Guan Wang, et al.
Frontiers in Psychiatry Summary & key facts 2024 41 citations

This study analyzed Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 data from 204 countries to track anxiety disorders in 10–24 year olds from 1990 to 2021. It found a 52% rise in incidence over those 31 years, a sharp increase after 2019, higher rates in females, and rising disability (DALYs) especially…

Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development COVID-19 and Mental Health
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