Long-term use was associated with thinning of the posterior cingulate cortex , thickening of the anterior cingulate cortex , and decreased neocortical 5-HT2A receptor binding .
Despite the high method ological heterogeneity and the small sample sizes , the results suggest that hallucinogens increase introspection and positive mood by modulating brain activity in the fronto-temporo-parieto-occipital cortex
Serotonergic hallucinogens produce alterations of perceptions , mood , and cognition , and have anxiolytic , antidepressant , and antiaddictive properties .
These drugs act as agonists of frontocortical 5-HT2A receptors , but the neural basis of their effects are not well understood .
Thus , we conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging studies analyzing the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens in man .
Safety and Efficacy of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide-Assisted Psychotherapy for Anxiety Associated With Life-threatening Diseases
Abstract A double-blind , r and omized , active placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to examine safety and efficacy of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-assisted psychotherapy in 12 patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases . Treatment included drug-free psychotherapy sessions supplemented by two LSD-assisted psychotherapy sessions 2 to 3 weeks apart . The participants received either 200 & mgr;g of LSD ( n = 8) or 20 & mgr;g of LSD with an open-label crossover to 200 & mgr;g of LSD after the initial blinded treatment was unmasked ( n = 4 ) . At the 2-month follow-up , positive trends were found via the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory ( STAI ) in reductions in trait anxiety ( p = 0.033 ) with an effect size of 1.1 , and state anxiety was significantly reduced ( p = 0.021 ) with an effect size of 1.2 , with no acute or chronic adverse effects persisting beyond 1 day after treatment or treatment-related serious adverse events . STAI reductions were sustained for 12 months . These results indicate that when administered safely in a method ologically rigorous medically supervised psychotherapeutic setting , LSD can reduce anxiety , suggesting that larger controlled studies are warranted
Long-term use was associated with thinning of the posterior cingulate cortex , thickening of the anterior cingulate cortex , and decreased neocortical 5-HT2A receptor binding .
Despite the high method ological heterogeneity and the small sample sizes , the results suggest that hallucinogens increase introspection and positive mood by modulating brain activity in the fronto-temporo-parieto-occipital cortex
Serotonergic hallucinogens produce alterations of perceptions , mood , and cognition , and have anxiolytic , antidepressant , and antiaddictive properties .
These drugs act as agonists of frontocortical 5-HT2A receptors , but the neural basis of their effects are not well understood .
Thus , we conducted a systematic review of neuroimaging studies analyzing the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens in man .