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International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction

6 Papers Indexed in Blossom

Published Papers

Open Accessindividual

Do Psychedelics Mimic Psychosis? Perspectives on Similarities and Differences from Individuals with Lived Experience of Psychosis and Psychedelics

This qualitative study (n=19) of people with non-affective psychotic disorders who had used psychedelics found that, although there were some overlaps in altered thinking and meaning-making, most participants felt psychedelic experiences were not closely similar to psychosis. The authors conclude that psychedelics may be poor models of many psychotic symptoms, and that describing psychedelic effects as broadly psychosis-like may be misleading.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
Dourron, H. M., Bradley, M. K., Copes, H., Nicholas, C. R., Turner, J. A., Allen-Clark, G., Hendricks, P. S.
Open Accessindividual

Unique Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Psilocybin Therapy Versus Escitalopram Treatment in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

In a phase 2 double‑blind randomized trial comparing psilocybin therapy with escitalopram for moderate‑to‑severe major depressive disorder, acute subjective experiences—particularly mystical experiences and ego dissolution—uniquely mediated the superior antidepressant response to psilocybin over a six‑week period. Emotional breakthrough and intense music‑evoked responses were also associated with greater symptom improvement, providing qualified support that acute psychological experiences may be causal mechanisms in psilocybin’s antidepressant effects.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
Weiss, B., Leor Roseman, •., Giribaldi, B., Nutt, D. J., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Erritzoe, D., Roseman, L.
Paywallindividual

Expert Opinion on Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy for People with Psychopathological Psychotic Experiences and Psychotic Disorders

This expert consultation study (n=12) investigated the exclusion of individuals with personal or familial histories of psychopathological experiences from most psychedelic clinical trials and treatment programs. Experts in psychiatry, clinical psychology, medicine, and psychedelics were interviewed, and the findings revealed that exclusion criteria may be justified in studies with minimal psychological support. They agreed that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, as well as therapy with MDMA and ketamine, might be beneficial for some individuals within this group.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
La Torre, J. T., Mahammadli, M., Faber, S., Greenway, K. T., Williams, M. T., Abbate, V.
Paywallindividual

Changed Substance Use After Psychedelic Experiences Among Individuals in Canada

This cross-sectional online survey (n=1639) investigated self-reported changes in substance use associated with past or current psychedelic use. Results indicate that 43% reported decreasing or ceasing alcohol, cocaine, or antidepressant use. Conversely, the highest rates of increased use were reported for cannabis and tobacco products (10%). Key reasons for substance use reductions included increased self-connection, less anxiety or depression, and connection with nature and others. Factors leading to reduction in any substance use included the motivation to treat a medical condition, the number of psychedelics used, younger age, and using both microdoses and macrodoses.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
Boehnke, K. F., Kruger, D. J., Lucas, P.
Paywallindividual

Classic Psychedelics as a Psychotherapeutic Aid in the Treatment of Stimulant Use Disorder: a Case Report

This case study (2020) describes a 22-year-old male with a history of mood disorder and polysubstance use who decided to seek out psychotherapy for the first time following consumption of 3.5 grams of psilocybin-containing mushrooms. As treatment progressed, the patient reported being better able to consolidate his therapeutic gains through the integration of insights obtained through his use of classic psychedelics, ultimately remaining abstinent from all stimulant drugs.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
Johnson, S., Black, Q. C.
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Creativity and Psychoactive Substance Use: A Systematic Review

This systematic review (2017) examines 14 empirical studies and 5 case studies that investigated the relationship between artistic creativity and psychoactive substance use. The nature of this relationship is not clearly established, given that most studies had a very small sample size, unrepresentative samples, overreliance on self-report, non-standardized assessment tools, and speculative research questions. Results indicate that psychoactive substances may change the quality of artistic work even amongst ordinary individuals by modifying functions related to creativity (enhancing experiences and sensitivity and loosening conscious processes), but the correlation of increased psychoactive substance use amongst artists may alternatively be a form of self-medication which stabilizes an unstable mode of functioning that is related to their creativity.

Published
Journal
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
Authors
Iszáj, F., Griffiths, M. D., Demetrovics, Z.

Quick Facts

Papers Indexed
6
h-Index
79
Open Access
No
Publisher
Springer Nature
Country
United States
Website
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