Physician's mindfulness skills can improve care for patient and provider.
Training physicians in mindfulness meditation and communication skills can improve the quality of primary care for both practitioners and their patients, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers report in a study published online this week in the journal Academic Medicine. via MedicalXpress
Since this post has been receiving numerous hits, the post is being updated with the PubMed indexed link to the article. a link to the PDF, plus a Google Scholar listing of the articles that have cited this article since it was published.
The impact of a program in mindful communication on primary care physicians. (PDF)
Abstract: Interventions to improve the quality of primary care practice and practitioner well-being should promote a sense of community, specific mindfulness skills, and permission and time devoted to personal growth.
Beckman HB, Wendland M, Mooney C, Krasner MS, Quill TE, Suchman AL, Epstein RM.
Acad Med. 2012 Jun;87(6):815-9.
PMID: 22534599
Cited by (Google Scholar)
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
From the New York Times: a transcendent article on the use of psilocybin by cancer patients
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Photo illustration by Clang
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Researchers acknowledge that it’s not clear how psilocybin reduces a person’s anxiety about mortality, not simply during the trip but for weeks and months following. “It’s a bit of a mystery,” Grob says. “I don’t really have altogether a definitive answer as to why the drug eases the fear of death, but we do know that from time immemorial individuals who have transformative spiritual experiences come to a very different view of themselves and the world around them and thus are able to handle their own deaths differently.”
By LAUREN SLATER Published: April 20, 2012 New York TimesCited by (Google Scholar)
For more on this topic read:
New Yorker article by Michael Pollan hits home
and
Psilocybin: a single dose relieves Existential Distress in cancer patients
and
Psilocybin use in end of life care: Journal of the National Cancer Institute
Friday, April 20, 2012
Recent brain research in regards to self-transcendence
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This neuroradiological scan shows
what an injured right parietal lobe looks
like. Individuals with similar injuries to
this part of the brain will be less focused
on the self, and more likely to be able
to experience spiritual connection with
a higher power/nature, depending
on their faith tradition.
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University of Missouri News
Article: "Right parietal lobe-related “selflessness” as the neuropsychological basis of spiritual transcendence"
Cited by (Google Scholar)
Role of user's personality, current mood state, drug pre-experiences, expectancies, and social and environmental variables
Specifically, having a high score in the personality trait of Absorption, being in an emotionally excitable and active state immediately before drug intake, and having experienced few psychological problems in past weeks were most strongly associated with pleasant and mystical-type experiences, whereas high Emotional Excitability, low age, and an experimental setting involving positron emission tomography most strongly predicted unpleasant and/or anxious reactions to psilocybin. Studerus E, Gamma A, Kometer M, Vollenweider FX. PLoS One. 2012;7(2):e30800. Epub 2012 Feb 17. PMID: 22363492. [PubMed - in process] Free PMC Article (PDF)
Psilocybin has potential role in treating depression
Two recent studies report changes in human brain responses after exposure to psilocybin, the active ingredient of hallucinogenic mushrooms. Psilocybin increased sensory cortex responses during emotional recollection, but decreased resting-state blood flow in prefrontal cortex, with potential implications for treating depression. Roiser JP, Rees G. Curr Biol. 2012 Apr 10;22(7):R231-3. PMID: 22497939
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Roland Griffiths discusses Psilocybin and Spirituality on 11/5/09
TEDxMidAtlantic - Roland Griffiths - 11/5/09
Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., is Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His principal research focus in both clinical and preclinical laboratories has been on the behavioral and subjective effects of mood-altering drugs. He is also currently a member of the Expert Advisory Panel on Drug Dependence for the World Health Organization.
About TEDx, x=independently organize event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self- organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Roland Griffiths, Ph.D., is Professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His principal research focus in both clinical and preclinical laboratories has been on the behavioral and subjective effects of mood-altering drugs. He is also currently a member of the Expert Advisory Panel on Drug Dependence for the World Health Organization.
About TEDx, x=independently organize event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self- organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Army Surgeon General on diagnosing and treating PTSD
Army Surgeon General defends PTSD diagnostic method
Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho testified March 28 at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Defense subcommittee hearing on military health and said military hospitals use the same method as the civilian sector to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD.
"It's the one standard that's out in the civilian sector as well as the military. It's the best standard out there for diagnosing PTSD," she said.
(Lt. General) Horoho also addressed the pain management task force that was stood up two years ago to look into alternatives to the use of pain medications after officials determined more than 35 percent of wounded Soldiers were addicted. Former Special Operations Command deputy and now retired Lt. Gen. David Fridovich in December 2010 admitted publicly that he'd been a narcotics addict for five years as the result of the pain caused by a shattered vertebra.
"I do believe we're on the right track," Horoho said. "We've seen a decrease in the reliance of polypharmacy -- multiple drugs, and many of our warriors have used yoga, acupressure, acupuncture, mindfulness and sleep management vice narcotic pain medicine we're seeing better patient outcomes." Army.mil
Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho testified March 28 at a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, Defense subcommittee hearing on military health and said military hospitals use the same method as the civilian sector to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder, known as PTSD.
"It's the one standard that's out in the civilian sector as well as the military. It's the best standard out there for diagnosing PTSD," she said.
(Lt. General) Horoho also addressed the pain management task force that was stood up two years ago to look into alternatives to the use of pain medications after officials determined more than 35 percent of wounded Soldiers were addicted. Former Special Operations Command deputy and now retired Lt. Gen. David Fridovich in December 2010 admitted publicly that he'd been a narcotics addict for five years as the result of the pain caused by a shattered vertebra.
"I do believe we're on the right track," Horoho said. "We've seen a decrease in the reliance of polypharmacy -- multiple drugs, and many of our warriors have used yoga, acupressure, acupuncture, mindfulness and sleep management vice narcotic pain medicine we're seeing better patient outcomes." Army.mil
Mindfulness trainings helps former British soldier
Why one former soldier is trying to raise awareness to help Combat Stress
Returning to life in the UK, Liam found himself suffering flashbacks of what he had seen in Iraq. He developed depression and would avoid going out, because the anxiety of heightened awareness in large crowds was not something he felt easy to deal with.
He said: “I would have a couple of weeks where it would be good and a couple of weeks when I couldn’t go out.
“On bad days I would sleep two hours a night and on a good night five or six hours. I would have nightmares and flashbacks. My moods were up and down. I did have anger issues, but not so much now.”
According to Liam, it took him a year to access any help and since Christmas 2010 he has had one treatment session with Combat Stress; he is waiting for his second.
Liam, who now lives with his partner, his six-year-old stepdaughter and eight-month-old son, said: “When I went down to Combat Stress I learned relaxation and mindfulness. Northampton Chronical
Returning to life in the UK, Liam found himself suffering flashbacks of what he had seen in Iraq. He developed depression and would avoid going out, because the anxiety of heightened awareness in large crowds was not something he felt easy to deal with.
He said: “I would have a couple of weeks where it would be good and a couple of weeks when I couldn’t go out.
“On bad days I would sleep two hours a night and on a good night five or six hours. I would have nightmares and flashbacks. My moods were up and down. I did have anger issues, but not so much now.”
According to Liam, it took him a year to access any help and since Christmas 2010 he has had one treatment session with Combat Stress; he is waiting for his second.
Liam, who now lives with his partner, his six-year-old stepdaughter and eight-month-old son, said: “When I went down to Combat Stress I learned relaxation and mindfulness. Northampton Chronical
Monday, April 2, 2012
UCLA discovers 2 genes that predispose individuals to PTSD by moderating serotonin levels
PTSD genes identified by UCLA study
In studying the families' genes, the researchers found that persons who possessed specific variants of two genes were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms. Called TPH1 and TPH2, these genes control the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, sleep and alertness -- all of which are disrupted in PTSD. Eurekalert!
These findings indicate the importance of serotonin levels in the brain in PTSD acquisition and possibly its treatment. Psilocybin has a pronounced and long term effect on serotonin receptors in the brain, is not addicting and has a low level of toxicity. Perhaps it is time for the DoD and VA to initiate Clinical Trials to examine the efficacy of treating combat-related PTSD with psilocybin.
In studying the families' genes, the researchers found that persons who possessed specific variants of two genes were more likely to develop PTSD symptoms. Called TPH1 and TPH2, these genes control the production of serotonin, a brain chemical that regulates mood, sleep and alertness -- all of which are disrupted in PTSD. Eurekalert!
These findings indicate the importance of serotonin levels in the brain in PTSD acquisition and possibly its treatment. Psilocybin has a pronounced and long term effect on serotonin receptors in the brain, is not addicting and has a low level of toxicity. Perhaps it is time for the DoD and VA to initiate Clinical Trials to examine the efficacy of treating combat-related PTSD with psilocybin.
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