Einstein Quote

"A human being is a part of the whole, called by us, "Universe," a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest -- a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness.

This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.
Nobody is able to achieve this completely, but the striving for such achievement is in itself a part of the liberation and a foundation for inner security." Albert Einstein - (1879-1955)
Psilocybin should only be taken with a spiritual mindset in a supportive environment.
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Thursday, October 27, 2016

Recent research/news keeps trickling in

Publication source: Journal of Psychopharmacology (August 2016)
Survey study of challenging experiences after ingesting psilocybin mushrooms: Acute and enduring positive and negative consequences.  (PDF)
Basically concludes a 'bad trip' may not be so bad in the long run and may even be positive.  Still, be advised to only ingest for the right reason in a supportive environment.

Publication source: Journal of Toxicological Sciences (2015):
Ecstasy (MDMA) Alters Cardiac Gene Expression and DNA Methylation: Implications for Circadian Rhythm Dysfunction in the Heart.
Another reason why MDMA should NOT be used to treat PTSD.  Psilocybin does not have the high degree of toxicity that MDMS has.

Publication source: International Review of Neurobiology (2016)
Treating Addiction: Perspectives from EEG and Imaging Studies on Psychedelics:  (PDF)
This chapter outlines relevant EEG and brain imaging studies evaluating the effects of psychedelics on the brain. This chapter also reviews evidence of the use of psychedelics as adjunct therapy for a number of psychiatric and addictive disorders. In particular, psychedelics appear to have efficacy in treating depression and alcohol-use disorders.

Publication source: Psychopharmacology journal: (October 2016):
Alterations of consciousness and mystical-type experiences after acute LSD in humans (Full-text/PDF)
LSD not as effective in facilitating a mystical experience as psilocybin.

Publication source: Journal of Humanistic Psychology (October 2016):
A Comparison of Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic Mystical Experiences
This study was authored by researchers from:
  • University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
  • University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
  • New York University, New York, NY, USA
  • Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA
Experiences of profound existential or spiritual significance can be triggered reliably through psychopharmacological means using psychedelic substances. However, little is known about the benefits of religious, spiritual, or mystical experiences (RSMEs) prompted by psychedelic substances, as compared with those that occur through other means. In this study, 739 self-selected participants reported the psychological impact of their RSMEs and indicated whether they were induced by a psychedelic substance. Experiences induced by psychedelic substances were rated as more intensely mystical (d = .75, p < .001), resulted in a reduced fear of death (d = .21, p < .01), increased sense of purpose (d = .18, p < .05), and increased spirituality (d = .28, p < .001) as compared with nonpsychedelically triggered RSMEs. These results remained significant in an expanded model controlling for gender, education, socioeconomic status, and religious affiliation. These findings lend support to the growing consensus that RSMEs induced with psychedelic substances are genuinely mystical and generally positive in outcome. 

Publication source: Neuroimage: clinical (2016)
The mixed serotonin receptor agonist psilocybin reduces threat-induced modulation of amygdala connectivity (Full-text/PDF)
Highlights:
  • We measured BOLD signals during a threat-inducing pictures task.
  • Subjects were treated with psilocybin (a serotonergic hallucinogen) and placebo.
  • We compared effective connectivity changes between psilocybin and placebo using DCM.
  • We found that psilocybin decreased top-down connectivity from the amygdala to visual cortex.
  • Results point at a neural mechanism underlying emotional shifts induced by psilocybin
Since the amygdala plays a key role in PTSD, this is another good reason for the DoD and/or Veterans Administration to conduct a Clinical Trial utilizing psilocybin to treat PTSD.

 Publication source:  Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology (June 2016):
Antidepressive, anxiolytic, and anti-addictive effects of ayahuasca, psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD): a systematic review of clinical trials published in the last 25 years (PDF)
In conclusion, ayahuasca, psilocybin and LSD may be useful pharmacological tools for the treatment of drug dependence, and anxiety and mood disorders, especially in treatment-resistant patients. These drugs may also be useful pharmacological tools to understand psychiatric disorders and to develop new therapeutic agents. However, all studies reviewed had small sample sizes, and half of them were open-label, proof-of-concept studies. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with more patients are needed to replicate these preliminary findings.

 Publication source: The Baltimore Sun: (September 2016):
Growing research finds psychedelics effective in treating disease
Since Johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, this article mostly likely arose due to their proximity.
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