Frontier mental health research: psychedelics & drug studies

Each month our editorial team sifts through hundreds of papers and curates notable findings—for practitioners and informed readers who want to stay current with the evidence. Subscribe to the monthly Research Digest for expert analysis and concise summaries of key papers.

16 papers

“Putting on My Best Normal”: Social Camouflaging in Adults with Autism Spectrum Conditions

Laura Hull, K. V. Petrides, Carrie Allison, Paula Smith, Simon Baron‐Cohen, Meng‐Chuan Lai, et al.

Researchers interviewed 92 adults with autism to study “camouflaging,” which means hiding or changing autistic behaviors in social situations. They used thematic analysis to make a three-stage model. People said they camouflage to fit in and make connections. Camouflaging included masking (hiding traits) and compensation (using learned social techniques). Reported…

Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Child Development and Digital Technology Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders

Psychedelic Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Patient Experiences in Qualitative Studies

Joost J. Breeksema, Alistair Niemeijer, Erwin Krediet, Eric Vermetten, Robert A. Schoevers
CNS Drugs Summary & key facts 2020 207 citations

Researchers collected and read 15 studies where patients described their own experiences with psychedelic treatments for mental disorders. These studies looked at about 180 patient accounts across different drugs and different illnesses. Even though the drugs and treatment settings were very different, many patients described similar helpful processes, such as…

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

Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women

Darby E. Attoe, Emma A. Climie
Journal of Attention Disorders Summary & key facts 2023 118 citations

This systematic review looked at what happens when women live with undiagnosed ADHD and what changes after they get diagnosed as adults. The authors searched three databases and kept eight studies. They used thematic analysis and found four main themes: harms to social and emotional wellbeing, hard or strained relationships,…

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Autism Spectrum Disorder Research Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

‘Into the Wild’: A meta-synthesis of talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces

Sam J. Cooley, Ceri Jones, Arabella Kurtz, Noelle Robertson
PubMed Summary & key facts 2020 115 citations

This review brings together reports from 38 papers (published 1994–2019) describing experiences of 322 practitioners and 163 clients who did talking therapy in outdoor natural spaces. The authors used a mixed-method thematic synthesis to build a framework of themes about how outdoor work is done, what practical steps are needed,…

Outdoor and Experiential Education Recreation, Leisure, Wilderness Management Urban Green Space and Health

Defining Infidelity in Research and Couple Counseling: A Qualitative Study

Naomi Moller, Andreas Vossler

Infidelity can destroy relationships, but there is long-standing debate in the field about how best to define the construct. A clear definition of infidelity is important theoretically, empirically, and therapeutically; however, research on the topic is limited. This study explores how seven experienced couple counselors define infidelity on the basis…

Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior Marriage and Sexual Relationships Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology

Experiences of criticism in adults with ADHD: A qualitative study

Danielle M. Beaton, Fuschia M. Sirois, Elizabeth Milne
PLoS ONE Summary & key facts 2022 46 citations

Attention‑deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, long‑term condition that begins in childhood. The main symptoms are trouble paying attention, having too much activity, and acting without thinking. These symptoms can cause problems at home, at school or work, and in relationships. About 8.4% of children and 2.5% of adults are…

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Behavioral and Psychological Studies Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Ketamine treatment for depression: qualitative study exploring patient views

Sagar Jilka, Clarissa Mary Odoi, Emma Wilson, Sazan Meran, Sara Simblett, Til Wykes
PubMed Central (PMC) Summary & key facts 2021 23 citations

Researchers ran three focus groups with 14 people who have depression but had not tried ketamine. Participants saw ketamine as promising but were worried about its reputation as a party drug, possible long-term harms, and how it would be monitored. They wanted clear public information, better evidence about long-term safety,…

Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency Treatment of Major Depression Tryptophan and brain disorders Ketamine

Experiences of Using Digital Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Rapid Scoping Review and Thematic Synthesis

Emma L. Osborne, Ben Ainsworth, Nic Hooper, Melissa Atkinson

This rapid scoping review and thematic synthesis looked at people’s experiences with digital mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs). It found clear themes that help explain why many people stop using these digital programs. The authors suggest involving users directly (person-based coparticipatory methods) when designing digital MBIs to make them more acceptable and…

COVID-19 and Mental Health Digital Mental Health Interventions Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions

Is romantic partner betrayal a form of traumatic experience? A qualitative study

Michelle Lonergan, Alain Brunet, Marjolaine Rivest‐Beauregard, Danielle Groleau
Stress and Health Summary & key facts 2020 20 citations

Earlier studies report that 30–60% of people who are betrayed by a romantic partner have PTSD, depression, or anxiety at clinically meaningful levels. This study interviewed 13 people who had completed a clinical trial for an adjustment problem after betrayal. Participants described betrayal as shocking and destabilizing and often used…

Attachment and Relationship Dynamics Child Abuse and Trauma Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

A COM-B and Theoretical Domains Framework Mapping of the Barriers and Facilitators to Effective Communication and Help-Seeking Among People With, or Seeking a Diagnosis Of, Endometriosis

Jasmine Heath Hearn, Katie Bryson, Livija Barsauskaite, Stella Bullo

This study asked people with or seeking an endometriosis diagnosis about how they seek help and communicate with health professionals. The researchers did four in-depth interviews (women aged 25–44) and an online survey of 33 people (ages 20–48; 21 diagnosed, 12 seeking diagnosis). They used thematic analysis and mapped what…

Endometriosis Research and Treatment

The Feasibility of Outdoor Psychology Sessions in an Adult Mental Health Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit: Service User and Psychologist Perspectives

James, Gail, Kidd, Katherine, Cooley, Sam J., et al.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2021 12 citations

This feasibility study tested outdoor psychology sessions on an adult inpatient mental health rehabilitation ward during COVID-19. Three psychologists worked with 16 service users; 14 completed rating scales and 8 took part in interviews. Participants reported high satisfaction with the therapy relationship and comfort outdoors, and researchers identified six key…

Child Therapy and Development Health, psychology, and well-being Urban Green Space and Health

Developing an educational resource for people experiencing eating disorders during the menopause transition: A qualitative co-design study

Gemma Sharp, Anne Nileshni Fernando, Susan R. Davis, Alisha Randhawa
Journal of Eating Disorders Summary & key facts 2024 11 citations

Researchers worked with 17 Australian women who had an eating disorder during the menopause transition to co-design an online educational resource. Over a series of recorded workshops, the team identified six main themes about needs and services and created a prototype that participants rated positively. Women said the resource improved…

Eating Disorders and Behaviors Menopause: Health Impacts and Treatments
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