Psychedelic Journal Watch

I. Psilocybin Can Reduce Shame in People with HIV

HIV-related shame is a consequence of the stigma and stress of living with HIV, and it predicts an increased risk of substance use and decreased adherence to antiretroviral treatment.

In this pilot study, 12 participants with HIV received 4 group therapy sessions, 1 psilocybin session, and 4-6 post-psilocybin integration group therapy sessions; HIV-related and sexual abuse-related shame were measured before and after psilocybin-assisted therapy.

3 months after psilocybin-assisted therapy, the participants reported a significant reduction in HIV-related shame; however, 2 of the 12 participants reported a paradoxical increase in sexual abuse-related shame.

According to the authors, “This analysis instills hope for the development of … psychedelic therapy interventions that may alleviate the burden of shame experienced by people with HIV. … A paradoxical exacerbation of sexual abuse-related shame experienced by two participants … raises critical questions regarding the use of psilocybin therapy among patients with trauma.”

Read the full article here.

II. Treatment of Ketamine Use Disorder (KUD)

In this case report conducted by physicians at University of California Los Angeles, a 32-year-old man with KUD continued to experience severe cravings for ketamine despite receiving residential and intensive outpatient treatment; as a result, he was started on lamotrigine and naltrexone.

The combination of lamotrigine and naltrexone altered his ketamine experience by increasing nausea and reducing the hallucinogenic effects; this led to a decrease in ketamine cravings and helped him to achieve longer-term abstinence in combination with dialectical behavioral therapy, familial support, and 12-step programming.

According to the authors, “KUD is a poorly described condition that may become more prevalent as US ketamine use increases. Combining treatment of depressive symptoms and cravings, in this case with lamotrigine and naltrexone, may be a promising pharmacotherapeutic strategy.”

Read the abstract here.

In this prospective, naturalistic survey study, 15 MENA immigrants and refugees (mostly female), were assessed for changes in physical and mental health following a 5-day ayahuasca retreat where they received 2 days of ayahuasca ingestion combined with yoga, meditation, breathwork and sound baths.

2-4 weeks after the ayahuasca retreat, participants reported a significant reduction in depression, anxiety, and shame, and an increase in self-compassion.

According to the authors, “these results should be treated as preliminary evidence requiring further investigation in controlled settings. … While preliminary, these results suggest that naturalistic ayahuasca use may hold therapeutic potential for MENA populations exposed to trauma prior to and during the process of immigration.”

Read the full article here.

In 1953, Aldous Huxley ingested 400mg of mescaline under the supervision of psychiatrist Humphry Osmond; one year later he published The Doors of Perception.

If you enjoy our newsletter, please forward it to your friends!

This newsletter is curated and published by:

Haven’t subscribed yet? Subscribe now!