PSY FPX 6110 Assessment 1

Annotated Bibliography

Davis, A. K., So, S., Lancelotta, R., Barsuglia, J. P., & Griffiths, R. R. (2019). 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) administered in a naturalistic group setting is linked with unanticipated improvements in depression and anxiety. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 45(2), 161–169. https://doi.org/10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024

Davis, So, Lancelotta, Barsuglia, and Griffiths (2019) explored the administration of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a communal environment, revealing unanticipated improvements in depression and anxiety. The study investigated the self-reported level of depression and anxiety among the users of 5-MeO-DMT in a setting that was structured by formal dosing, protocols, and support systems. The findings suggested that following use of 5-MeO-DMT, there was improvement in reported symptoms of anxiety and depression among the participants. These were correlated with greater spiritual meaning and personal significance attributed to the experience.

Duerler, P., Schilbach, L., Stämpfli, P., Vollenweider, F. X., & Preller, K. H. (2020). LSD-induced increases in social adaptation to opinions similar to one’s own are associated with stimulation of serotonin receptors. Scientific Reports, 10(1), 12181.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-68899-y

PSY FPX 6110 Assessment 1 Annotated Bibliography—Psychedelic Therapy Studies 

Duerler et al. (2020) tested the impact of LSD on social adaptation to opinions that are similar to one’s own, and they described the role of serotonin receptors in the processing of social influence. In the double-blind random crossover trial, 24 volunteers received a placebo, LSD (100 micrograms), or a 5HT2A receptor antagonist plus LSD (100 micrograms) in three sessions. The results indicated that LSD improved social adaptation, particularly when individuals were presented with similar opinions to their own. The effect was correlated with ventral medial prefrontal cortex activity during processing of social feedback and provided insights into the neuropharmacological processes of social cognitive behavior.

Forstmann, M., Yudkin, D. A., Prosser, A. M., Heller, S. M., & Crockett, M. J. (2020). Transformative experience and social connectedness mediate the mood-enhancing effects of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117(5), 2338–2346. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1918477117

Forstmann et al. (2020) examined the mediating role of transformative experiences and social connectedness in the mood-improving effects of psilocybin and other psychedelics in naturalistic environments. The three-year study, comprising 1,225 participants across multiple mass gatherings, employed field studies and questionnaire assessments. The findings suggested that recent psychedelic use was associated with heightened transformative experiences and social connectedness, which in turn mediated improvements in positive mood. This study underscores the potential of psychedelics to induce personal transformation and enhance social cohesion in naturalistic settings, with ethical approval from the Oxford Central Research Ethics Committee.

PSY FPX 6110 Assessment 1 Annotated Bibliography—Psychedelic Therapy Studies 

Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Carducci, M. A., Umbricht, A., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., Cosimano, M. P., & Klinedinst, M. A. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford), 30(12), 1181–1197. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116675513

Griffiths et al. (2016) tested the effects of psilocybin on symptoms of depression and anxiety in cancer patients in a randomized double-blind trial. The trial involved 51 patients with life-threatening diagnoses who received either a low or high dose of psilocybin in a crossover design. There were marked reductions in depression and anxiety and increased meaning in life and optimism after high-dose psilocybin administration. These effects at the 6-month follow-up indicate the possible therapeutic use of psilocybin to attenuate psychological distress in cancer patients.

Mitchell, J. M., Bogenschutz, M., Lilienstein, A., Harrison, C., Kleiman, S., Parker-Guilbert, K., Ot’alora G, M., Garas, W., Paleos, C., Gorman, I., Nicholas, C., Mithoefer, M., Carlin, S., Poulter, B., Mithoefer, A., Quevedo, S., Wells, G., Klaire, S. S., van der Kolk, B., Tzarfaty, K., … Doblin, R. (2021). MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine, 27(6), 1025–1033.

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01336-3

PSY FPX 6110 Assessment 1 Annotated Bibliography—Psychedelic Therapy Studies 

Mitchell et al. (2021) conducted a phase 3 trial to assess the efficacy and safety of MDMA-assisted therapy for severe posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ninety participants were randomly assigned to receive either MDMA therapy or a placebo, along with preparatory and integrative sessions. Significant reductions in PTSD symptoms were observed in the MDMA versus the placebo group, with remission being attained by some patients after a single or two sessions. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of MDMA-assisted therapy for patients with severe PTSD, warranting further clinical evaluation.