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Strides in Psychedelic ScienceHappy summer! Our center is newly renovated and things are heating up at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research as we move full speed ahead with new and ongoing studies, and welcome many new team members! Dr. Dara Friedman-Wheeler joins us as a clinical psychologist, and Drs. Ceyda Sayalı, Adam Saffron, and David Mathai join us as new post-doctoral research fellows. We also have Sara So joining us as a psychedelic session guide, Nathan Heller as a visiting graduate student, and Hadi Zaki, Abigail Yaffe, Samantha Hilbert, and Dylan Peters as research coordinators. In addition to our growth, the Co-Director of the CPCR, Dr. Matthew Johnson has been awarded the first ever endowed professorship in psychedelic research. Dr. Johnson is the Susan Hill Ward Professor in Psychedelics and Consciousness at Johns Hopkins. This honorable recognition and the growth of our psychedelic research center is a testament to the rising interest in the study of psychedelic substances, and their potential benefits.
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Psychedelic Research UpdatesNEW STUDIES We recently began a two new trials studying (1) the effects of psilocybin in individuals with co-occurring alcohol use disorder and depression, and (2) the effects of psilocybin on electrical activity in the brain. We also launched two new survey studies in which we are interested in hearing from people who have used either used (1) breathwork OR (2) psychedelics or MDMA to help with anxiety, depression, or PTSD. ONGOING STUDIES We are still seeking study participants for ongoing studies of psilocybin in anorexia nervosa, smoking cessation, depression, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Those who are unable to participate in an in-person trial, may consider one of our many online survey studies. If you or someone you know (1) has used psilocybin while on antidepressant medication or within two years of stopping, or (2) intends to take psilocybin and is interested in contributing to our scientific understanding, please consider taking one of these surveys. RESEARCH FINDINGS In addition to our current studies, our team has recently published many new findings! Recent review articles discuss trends in psychedelic science and the potential for personality traits and psychological states to predict a positive psychedelic experience, and a thoughtful editorial provides recommendations to address issues of racial equity in psychedelic science. Lastly, we recently published a paper on psychedelics and consciousness. The paper points to the limitations of using psychedelics to study consciousness, but also the ways in which psychedelics may advance the study of certain aspects of consciousness. Learn more about our most recent findings in the publications section below.
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Participate in Our ResearchWe are currently recruiting for multiple studies and surveys involving psychedelics. Click on a link below to find out more regarding the application process.
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How Psychedelic Drugs Are Making A Comeback To Treat Depression
Wall Street Journal highlights recent findings of psychedelic research, and follows the story of one participant who partook in a psychedelic drug trial for depression. Dr. Alan Davis discusses the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy in a recent depression trial at Johns Hopkins. |
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Resurgence of Psychedelic Psychiatry
NPR talks with Dr. Alan Davis about psilocybin research findings and the potential for these drugs to change how we study mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. |
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A Psychedelic Drug Passes a Big Test for PTSD Treatment
The New York Times covers findings of the first Phase 3 trial for PTSD treatment using MDMA-assisted therapy. The study showed the drug to be highly effective and assuming there is a second positive Phase 3 trial, approval for the therapy could come as early as 2023. Dr. Garcia-Romeu believes such treatment may “revolutionize health care” but urges additional research must be done to explore the efficacy of the treatment for people of diverse races and ethnicities. |
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Can A Genetic Test Prevent Risk In Psychedelic Therapy? These Companies are Betting On It
In an interview with Forbes, Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu details the potential risks associated with taking psychedelic drugs, such as cardiac adverse events and episodes of psychosis. For this reason, a company called Enthon has created a genetic test kit meant to screen individuals for certain risks associated with psychedelic use. This may serve as a good safeguard for those experimenting on their own, but Dr. Garcia-Romeu holds concerns over vulnerable populations struggling from mental health conditions who may be more at risk. |
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Are Psychedelics the Next Big Cure?
Drs. Natalie Gukasyan and Matthew Johnson were interviewed by Good Housekeeping and discuss what happens in the mind when taking psychedelics, and the potential benefits psychedelics may offer in treating anorexia and substance use disorders. |
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Why Mental Health Researchers Are Studying Psychedelics All Wrong
Salon interviews researchers on the potential downsides of the “psychedelic renaissance.” The history of over medicalization in the mental health field and the dubbing of psychedelics as a miracle cure may do more harm than good. Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu comments on how pre-conceived expectations make it more difficult to approach psychedelics with a sense of openness. |
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Psychology of Psychedelics
Dr. Roland Griffiths is interviewed by Dr. Jordan Peterson. Dr. Griffiths talks about the revival of psychedelic research, how the first psychedelic studies were approved by ethics committees, psychedelic studies with long-term meditators and religious professionals, and more. |
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Dissolving Ego Dissolution
Mind Foundation discusses popularized claims of the default mode network (DMN) driving ego dissolution, and psychedelic researchers comment that these claims likely only scratch the surface and other networks warrant more attention. Dr. Manoj Doss argues that other drugs also decrease DMN connectivity and although there may be evidence that the DMN is linked to the psychedelic experience, this research is inconclusive and draws away attention from other possibilities. |
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Exploring the Medical Uses of Recreational Drugs
A brief overview of how recreational drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and CBD affect the brain and can potentially be effective in the treatment of various mental health disorders. Dr. Gukasyan comments on the ability of psilocybin to promote more communication between different brain regions. |
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Predicting Who May Do Best With Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Dr. Alan Davis highlights recent findings on psychological states and personality traits that may be predictive of positive psychedelic experiences. These findings may help in future research by giving anxiety-prone people lower doses and working up from there. |
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Brian Muraresku/Bill Richards/Mary Cosimano
Dr. Bill Richards and Mary Cosimano discuss psychedelic medicine with Brian Muraresku, and his new book The Immortality Key: The Secret History of the Religion With No Name. |
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Transcending Time, Space, and Self
Dr. Yaden was interviewed by Mind Medicine Austraila for a podcast that discusses why William James’s thought is relevant to the study of psychedelics and advocates for more caution around interpreting neuroimaging results. |
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Upcoming EventsAugust 13, 2021Dr. Griffiths will present Grand Rounds on psychedelics and depression to the University Hospitals / Case Western Reserve University Department of Psychiatry, Cleveland (8-9am EST). August 14, 2021Dr. Johnson will present at the National Conference on Addiction Disorders West on “Psychedelic Therapies in Addiction Treatment.” August 20, 2021Dr. Johnson will be presenting a workshop for the Vermont Psychological Association on “Treatment of Psychological Disorders with Psychedelics.” August 21, 2021Dr. Johnson will present at the National Conference on Addiction Disorders East on “Psychedelic Therapies in Addiction Treatment.” August 24, 2021Dr. Griffiths will present Grand Rounds on “Psilocybin: History, Neuropsychopharmacology, and Implications for Therapeutics” to the Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego. August 27, 2021Dr. Davis is presenting at Ohio Health on “Psilocybin Therapy for Major Depressive Disorder: Results From A Randomized Clinical Trial.” September 10, 2021Dr. Davis will present at Insight Conference 2021 on “The important of diversity in psychedelic science: A global call to academics.” September 10, 2021Dr. Johnson will participate in the panel “What do we learn from case studies and large clinical trials (RCTs)?” at the Insight Conference 2021 in Berlin, Germany. September 11, 2021Dr. Johnson will present at Insight Conference 2021 in Berlin, Germany on “Psychedelics, Psychotherapy, and Pitfalls.” September 12, 2021Dr. Nayak will give a presentation at the Insight Conference 2021 on “Belief Changes Following a Single Psychedelic Experience: Results of a Survey Study.” September 18, 2021Dr. Johnson will present psilocybin research at the Denver Mushroom Festival. September 22, 2021Drs. Barrett and Johnson will present psilocybin research for Cadre. Tysons Corner, VA. September 23, 2021Dr. Johnson will present at the Tuerk Conference on Mental Health & Addiction Treatment, “Psychedelics in Mental Health Treatment.” September 23, 2021Dr. Gukasyan will present Grand Rounds at the Hartford HealthCare Institute of Living. September 28, 2021Dr. Barrett will present psychiatry grand rounds at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA. October 1, 2021Dr. Griffiths will present Grand Rounds at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle on “Behavioral and Subjective Effects of Mood-Altering Drugs, Including Clinical Studies on Depression” (3-4pm EST). October 6, 2021Dr. Johnson will present on psychedelic research at the Washington Co-occurring Disorders and Treatment Conference. October 13, 2021Dr. Johnson will present on psilocybin research at the Lyon-Voorhees Memorial Lecture, Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds, University of Colorado School of Medicine. October 16, 2021Dr. Johnson will present at the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology Meeting, “The Pitfalls of Psychedelic Medicine.” November 15, 2021Dr. Davis is presenting at ABMC Grand Rounds on “Treating Depression with Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy.” November 20, 2021Dr. Gukasyan is giving a virtual presentation at Psychedelic Medicine 2021, New York University on “Classic psychedelics and interactions with other psychotropic drugs.” December 8, 2021Dr. Johnson will present “Psychedelics in the Treatment of Addiction” at the World Association of Dual Disorders (WADD) and the Albatros International Join Congress, Paris, France.
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Recent PublicationsNayak, S.M., Gukasyan, N., Barrett, F.S., Erowid, E., Erowid, F., Griffiths, R.R. (2021). Classic psychedelic coadministration with lithium, but not lamotrigine, is associated with seizures: an analysis of online psychedelic experience reports. Pharmacopsychiatry. Published Online. August 6, 2021.
Davis, A.K., Xin, Y., Sepeda, N.D., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Williams, M.T. (2021). Increases in psychological flexibility mediate relationship between acute psychedelic effects and decreases in racial trauma symptoms among people of color. Chronic Stress. Published Online. August 3, 2021.
Yaden, Y.B., Johnson, M.W., Griffiths, R.R., Doss, M., Garcia-Romeu, A., Nayak, S., Gukasyan, N., Mathur, B.N., & Barrett, F.S. (2021). Psychedelics and consciousness: Distinctions, demarcations, and opportunities. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology. Published Online. May 14, 2021.
Cox, D.J., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Johnson, M.W. (2021). Predicting changes in substance use following psychedelic experiences: natural language processing of psychedelic session narratives. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Published Online. June 5, 2021.
Uthaug, M.V., Davis, A.K., Haas, T.F., Davis, D., Dolan, S.B., Lancelotta, R., Timmermann, C., Ramaekers, J.G. (2021). The epidemiology of mescaline use: Pattern of use, motivations for consumption, and perceived consequences, benefits, and acute and enduring subjective effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology. Published Online. May 5, 2021.
Thrul, J., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2021). Whitewashing psychedelics: racial equity in the emerging field of psychedelic-assisted mental health research and treatment. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 28(3), 211-214.
Agin-Liebes, G., Haas, T.F., Lancelotta, R., Uthaug, M.V., Ramaekers, J.G., & Davis, A.K. (2021). Naturalistic use of mescaline is associated with self-reported psychiatric improvements and enduring positive life changes. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 4(2), 543–552.
Aday, J.S., Davis, A.K., Mitzkovitz, C.M., Bloesch, E.M., & Davoli, C.C. (2021). Predicting reactions to psychedelic drugs: a systematic review of states and traits related to acute drug effects. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 4(2), 424–435.
Garcia-Romeu, A., Barrett, F.S., Carbonaro, T.M., Johnson, M.W., & Griffiths, R.R. (2021). Optimal dosing for psilocybin pharmacotherapy: Considering weight-adjusted and fixed dosing approaches. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(4), 353-361.
Lawrence, D.W., Sharma, B., Griffiths, R.R., Carhart-Harris, R. (2021). Trends in the Top-Cited Articles on Classic Psychedelics. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Published online, February 03, 2021.
Gukasyan, N. & Nayak, S. (2021). Psychedelics, placebo effects, and set and setting: insights from common factors theory of psychotherapy. Transcultural Psychiatry. Accepted manuscript in press.
Davis, A.K., Barrett, F.S., So, S., Gukasyan, N., Swift, T.C., & Griffiths, R.R. (2021). Development of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire among a sample of people who have consumed psilocybin or LSD. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(4), 437-446.
Davis, A,K., Barrett, F.S., Darrick G. May, D.G., Cosimano, M.P., Sepeda, N.D., Johnson, M.W., Finan, P.H., & Griffiths, R.R. (2021). Effects of psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(5), 481-489.
Strickland, J.C., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Johnson, M.W. (2020). Set and setting: a randomized study of different musical genres in supporting psychedelic therapy. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 4(2), 472-478.
Johnson, M.W. (2020). Consciousness, religion, and gurus: pitfalls of psychedelic medicine. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 4(2), 578-581.
Yaden, D.B., & Griffiths, R.R. (2020). The subjective effects of psychedelics are necessary for their enduring therapeutic effects. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, 4(2), 568-572.
Williams, M.T., Davis, A.K., Xin, Y., Sepeda, N.D., Grigas, P.C., Sinnott, S., & Haeny, A.M. (2020). People of color in North America report improvements in racial trauma and mental health symptoms following psychedelic experiences. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 28(3), 215-226.
Nayak, S., & Johnson, M.W. (2020). Psychedelics and psychotherapy. Pharmacopsychiatry, Published Online December 07, 2020.
Yaden, D.B., Yaden, M., & Griffiths, R.R. (2020). Psychedelics in Psychiatry—Keeping the Renaissance From Going Off the Rails. JAMA Psychiatry, 78(5), 469-470.
Doss, M.K., May, D.G., Johnson, M.W., Clifton, J.M., Hedrick, S.L., Prisinzano, T.E., Griffiths, R.R., & Barrett, F.S. (2020). The acute effects of the atypical dissociative hallucinogen Salvinorin A on functional connectivity in the human brain. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 16392.
Barrett, F.S., Krimmel, S.R., Griffiths, R.R., Seminowicz, D.A., & Mathur, B.N. (2020). Psilocybin acutely alters the functional connectivity of the claustrum with brain networks that support perception, memory, and attention. NeuroImage, 218, 116980.
Davis, A.K., Averill, L.A., Sepeda, N.D., Barsuglia, J.P., & Amoroso, T. (2020). Psychedelic treatment for trauma-related psychological and cognitive impairment among US Special Operations Forces Veterans. Chronic Stress, 4, 1-11.
Click here for a full list of our publications
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Support Psychedelic ResearchBe a part of the psychedelic renaissance! Help support the faculty and staff at the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. Individual donations are always appreciated, and make the work we do possible.
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