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 .
LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects
Objective : A recently published study showed the safety and efficacy of LSD-assisted psychotherapy in patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases . Participants of this study were included in a prospect i ve follow-up . Method : 12 months after finishing LSD psychotherapy , 10 participants were tested for anxiety ( STAI ) and participated in a semi-structured interview . A Qualitative Content Analysis ( QCA ) was carried out on the interviews to elaborate about LSD effects and lasting psychological changes . Results : None of the participants reported lasting adverse reactions . The significant benefits as measured with the STAI were sustained over a 12-month period . In the QCA participants consistently reported insightful , cathartic and interpersonal experiences , accompanied by a reduction in anxiety ( 77.8 % ) and a rise in quality of life ( 66.7 % ) . Evaluations of subjective experiences suggest facilitated access to emotions , confrontation of previously unknown anxieties , worries , re sources and intense emotional peak experiences à la Maslow as major psychological working mechanisms . The experiences created led to a restructuring of the person ’s emotional trust , situational underst and ing , habits and world view . Conclusions : LSD administered in a medically supervised psychotherapeutic setting can be safe and generate lasting benefits in patients with a life-threatening disease . Explanatory models for the therapeutic effects of LSD warrant further study
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 .