Johns Hopkins Psychedelic Newsletter Fall 2022

Fall 2022 Newsletter

Strides in Psychedelic Science

On September 5th, 2022, we celebrated the three-year anniversary of the founding of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research. In that three-year span we’ve published over seventy five papers, more than doubled our staff, and moved into our new Center space in the Joseph V. Brady Behavioral Biology Research Building. Since opening the center, some of our notable publications include a study of the efficacy of psilocybin for the treatment of major depressive disorder , and a one-year follow up of these same participants, the role of the claustrum during a psychedelic experience, and optimal dosing for clinical trials using psilocybin therapy. These achievements would not be possible without the incredible generosity and support of our founding funders. Additionally, we deeply appreciate the support we have received from each of you as we’ve built and established CPCR these past three years. We are ecstatic to continue our research into the therapeutic uses of psychedelic compounds!

We are excited to announce a new study for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder! This study will measure the psychological effects psilocybin has on people with OCD. This is an in-person study which requires multiple visits to our Center at the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus in Baltimore. If you are living with OCD, please consider applying to this study and if you know anyone with OCD, please share with them the study information!

WE ARE HIRING!! We are currently hiring for a variety of positions including:

Click here to learn more about employment opportunities at CPCR. Please share these postings with anyone you think may be interested.

Psychedelic Research Updates

NEW STUDIES
In partnership with Ohio State University, CPCR researchers recently launched a new survey study on the psychedelic experiences of gender and sexual minorities. We hope the findings of this study can result in better clinical protocols and treatment options in the future for these understudied populations.

ONGOING STUDIES
We are still seeking study participants for ongoing studies of psilocybin in Alzheimer’s Disease, Co-occurring alcohol use and depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Those who are unable to participate in an in-person trial, may consider one of our online surveys, including a survey for those who have used breathwork or psychedelics to help with anxiety, depression, trauma, or PTSD symptoms. Additionally, for any couples in which at least one partner has done a psychedelic, please consider participating and telling us more about your experiences. Finally, we are interested in hearing from healthcare professionals to learn more about their knowledge and attitudes towards the use of psychedelics for medical applications.

Learn more about our most recent findings in the publications section below.

Participate in Our Research

We are currently recruiting for multiple studies and surveys involving psychedelics. Click on a link below to find out more regarding the application process.

Psilocybin and Alzheimer’s Disease

Psilocybin for Co-occurring Depression and Alcohol Use Disorder

Psilocybin for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Psilocybin for Post-Treatment Lyme Disease

Psychedelic and Gender/Sexual Identity Survey

Breathwork Survey for Anxiety, Depression, or PTSD

Psychedelic Change Survey for Anxiety, Depression, or PTSD

Healthcare Professionals Knowledge and Attitudes about Psychedelics

Psychedelic and Romantic Relationships Survey

CPCR faculty member Dr. David Yaden recently published a book he co-authored, The Varieties of Spiritual Experience, which discusses William James’ work and applies the scientific method to certain kinds of meaningful altered states of consciousness.

Psychedelics in the News

Taking Psychedelics Could Make People Less Afraid of Dying
TIME discusses the profundity of out-of-body and mystical experiences, particularly those that are psychedelically induced. Dr. Roland Griffiths speaks on the idea that psychedelics could reduce fears of dying. Dr. Griffiths also stresses the need for further research to capture the full range of psychedelic experiences.

Is the Psychedelic Therapy Bubble About to Burst?
Wired examines the state of psychedelic research and its “hype bubble.” Dr. David Yaden argues that scientists must burst this bubble to temper expectations as well as ensure the longevity and rigorousness of psychedelic research.

Preparing For a New Era of Psychedelic Treatment
Johns Hopkins Hub covers a recent grant to be used for the development of postdoctoral fellowships and training programs in psychedelic therapy. Dr. Natalie Gukasyan discusses the need for an “evidence-based approach” in psychedelic therapy and her hopes for the field.

Could Psychedelic Medicine Help People Living With Memory Loss?
Psychology Today speaks with Dr. Albert-Garcia Romeu to discuss what drew him to psychedelic research, his ongoing study on psilocybin for Alzheimers/Mild Cognitive Impairment, and the future of psychedelics for neurodegenerative diseases.

Psychoactive Compounds to Treat Depression, Addiction, & Inflammation
Dr. Frederick Barrett joins the Science Changing Life podcast to discuss what psilocybin is, the possible advantages of bad trips, how to contribute to psychedelic research, and more.

Taking the Magic Out of Magic Mushrooms
Given recent scientific efforts to remove the hallucination component from psychedelics, the New York Times explores how these effects could facilitate therapeutic benefits. Dr. David Yaden expresses that removing these effects means “withholding such a meaningful experience” that may lead to personal insights and healing.

Restrictions on Psilocybin ‘Magic Mushrooms’ Are Easing as Research Ramps Up
Scientific American looks at the legal status of psilocybin in and out of the U.S., including Oregon where the substance is decriminalized and will be offered at future service centers. These centers will offer psilocybin to improve well-being, not treat depression. Dr. Natalie Gukasyan comments on this distinction, worrying that individuals may inappropriately seek psychedelic therapy

The Long, Strange Relationship Between Psychedelics and Telepathy
Vice analyzes the intersection between psychedelics and paranormal experiences, such as telepathy and precognition, as well as the shifts in beliefs and worldviews that can follow these experiences. Dr. David Yaden believes these “anomalous experiences and resulting beliefs” are “worth pursuing” but should be addressed before a psychedelic session. Dr. Sandeep Nayak adds that individuals who experience psychedelics supernaturally should not be “automatically pathologized or stigmatized.”

Psychedelic Drugs Take on Depression
Nature Journal explains current uses, research, and critiques of ketamine and other psychedelic substances. Dr. Albert Garcia-Romeu comments on the potential mechanism underlying psychedelic therapy, stating that it helps some people become unstuck from “inflexible and unhealthy” thought patterns.

‘Magic Mushroom’ Psychedelic May Help Heavy Drinkers Quit
The Associated Press reviews findings from a recent study investigating the effects of psilocybin on alcoholism. Dr. Frederick Barrett cites the study as “the first modern, rigorous, controlled trial” of its kind.

Get Involved in Psychedelic Science

The CPCR team is growing! We are hiring for the following positions:

Research Program Supervisor

Research Program Coordinator

Psychiatric Therapist

Research Psychologist

Postdoctoral Fellow

Recent Publications

Madden, M.B., Stewart, B.W., White, M.G., Krimmel, S.R., Qadir, H., Barrett, F.S., Seminowicz, D.A., Mathur, B.N. (2022) A role for the claustrum in cognitive control. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Published Online. September 30, 2022.
Barrett, F.S. (2022) Comparative pharmacology and circuit-level models of the effects of psychedelic drugs on the human brain. Biological Psychiatry Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 7(9), 849-851.
Yaden, D.B., Potash, J.B., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). Preparing for the bursting of the psychedelic hype bubble. JAMA Psychiatry, Published Online. August 31, 2022.
Sweeney, M.M., Nayak, S., Hurwitz, E.S., Mitchell, L.N., Swift, T.C., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). Comparison of psychedelic and near-death or other non-ordinary experiences in changing attitudes about death and dying. PLOS ONE 17(8), Published Online. August 24, 2022.
Levin, A., Nagib, P.B., Deiparine, S., Gao, T., Mitchell, J., & Davis, A.K. (2022). Inconsistencies between national drug policy and professional beliefs about psychoactive drugs among psychiatrists in the United States. The International Journal on Drug Policy, Published Online. August 11, 2022.
van Elk, M. & Yaden, D.B. (2022). Pharmacological, Neural, and Psychological Mechanisms underlying Psychedelics: A Critical Review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Published Online. July 22, 2022.
Mathai, D. & Yaden, D.B. & O’Donnell, K. (2022). The conundrum of therapeutic intoxication. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 221, 496-497.
Reckweg, J.T., Uthaug, M.V., Szabo, A., Davis, A.K., Lancelotta, R., Mason, N.L., & Ramaekers, J.G. (2022). The clinical pharmacology and potential therapeutic applications of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT). Journal of Neurochemistry, 162(1), 128-146.
Ross, S., Agrawal, M., Griffiths, R.R., Grob, C., Berger, A., & Henningfield, J.E. (2022). Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to treat psychiatric and existential distress in life-threatening medical illnesses and palliative care. Neuropharmacology, 216, 109174.
Gaddis, A., Lidstone, D.E., Nebel, M., Griffiths, R.R., Mostofsky, S.H., Mejia, A., & Barrett, F.S. (2022). Psilocybin induces spatially constrained alterations in thalamic functional organization and connectivity. NeuroImage, 260, 119434.
Mathai, D.S., Lee, S.M., Mora, V., O’Donnell, K.C., Garcia-Romeu, A., & Storch, E.A. (2022). Mapping consent practices for outpatient psychiatric use of ketamine. Journal of Affective Disorders, 312, 113-121. Published June 23, 2022
Boehnke, K.F., Davis, A.K., & McAfee, J. (2022). Applying lessons from cannabis to the psychedelic highway: Buckle up and build infrastructure. JAMA Health Forum, 3(6), e221618. Published June 17, 2022
Lawrence, B.W., Carhart-Harris, R., Griffiths, R.R., & Timmermann, C. (2022). Phenomenology and content of the inhaled N,N-dimethyltryptamine (N,N-DMT) experience. Scientific Reports. Published online May 24, 2022.
Frymann, T., Whitney, S., Yaden, D.B., & Lipson, J. (2022). The psychedelic integration scales: Tools for measuring psychedelic integration behaviors and experiences. Frontiers in Psychology. Published online May 23, 2022.
Yaden, D.B., Earp, D., Graziosi, M., Friedman-Wheeler, D., Luoma, J.B., & Johnson, M.W. (2022). Psychedelics and psychotherapy: cognitive-behavioral approaches as default. Frontiers in Psychology. Published online May 23, 2022.
McCulloch, Drummond & Knudsen, Gitte & Barrett, Frederick & Doss, Manoj & Carhart-Harris, Robin & Rosas, Fernando & Deco, Gustavo & Kringelbach, Morten & Preller, Katrin & Ramaekers, Johannes & Mason, Natasha & Müller, Felix & Fisher, Patrick. (2022). Psychedelic Resting-state Neuroimaging: A Review and Perspective on Balancing Replication and Novel Analyses. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 138. 104689. Published Online May 16th, 2022.
Ortiz, C. E., Dourron, H. M., Sweat, N. W., Garcia-Romeu, A., MacCarthy, S., Anderson, B. T., & Hendricks, P. S. (2022). Special considerations for evaluating psilocybin-facilitated psychotherapy in vulnerable populations. Neuropharmacology. Published online May 13th, 2022
Bradberry MM, Gukasyan N, Raison CL. Toward Risk-Benefit Assessments in Psychedelic- and MDMA-Assisted Therapies. JAMA Psychiatry. Published online April 27, 2022.
Nayak, S.M., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). A single belief-changing psychedelic experience is associated with increased attribution of consciousness to living and non-living entities. Frontiers in Psychology. Published Online. March 28, 2022.
Mathai, D.S., Mora, V., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2022). Toward synergies of ketamine and psychotherapy. Frontiers in Psychology. Published Online. March 25, 2022.
Gukasyan, N., Davis, A.K., Barrett, F.S., Cosimano, M.P., Sepeda, N.D., Johnson, M.W., & Griffiths, R.R. (2022). Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up. Journal of Psychopharmacology. Published Online. February 15, 2022.

Click here for a full list of our publications

Support Psychedelic Research

Be 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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