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9 Papers Indexed in Blossom

Published Papers

Open Accessindividual

Real-World Psilocybin Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: a Retrospective Observational Study

In a retrospective case series of 19 treatment‑resistant depression patients treated with 20–35 mg psilocybin in routine clinical practice, depressive symptoms decreased significantly with large effect sizes on MADRS and BDI, though response and remission rates were lower than in controlled trials and no additive benefit of multiple doses was found. No serious adverse events occurred, but the observational design and small sample size mean larger prospective studies are needed to confirm effectiveness and identify predictors of response.

Published
Journal
Preprints
Authors
Jungwirth, J., Westenhöfer, S., Aicher, H., Provaznikova, B., Kronenberg, G., Seifritz, E., Prinz, S., Olbrich, S.
Open Accessindividual

Pilot Data on Salivary Oxytocin as a Biomarker of LSD Response in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

In a pilot observational study of patients with treatment‑resistant MDD given a single 100–150 µg dose of LSD, salivary oxytocin levels and self‑reported psychedelic intensity changed significantly over the 180‑minute session, supporting acute oxytocin dynamics as a potential biomarker of LSD response. Larger, controlled trials are needed to replicate these findings and determine links between oxytocin changes and clinical outcomes such as depressive symptoms and mental flexibility.

Published
Journal
Preprints
Authors
Cazorla, L., Alaux, S., Amberger, C., Mabilais, C., Furtado, L., Buchard, A., Thorens, G., Penzenstadler, L., Zullino, D., Aboulafia-Brakha, T.
Open Accessindividual

DMT micro-phenomenology

Using micro-phenomenological interviews with 23 participants who received DMT during fMRI, the study shows DMT reliably produces deeply immersive presence experiences that unfold through a characteristic layering—initial multisensory effects followed by spatial, self-related and social reconfigurations. This structural and temporal mapping extends beyond concepts like ego dissolution to advance understanding of DMT's effects and the architecture of conscious experience, and demonstrates the value of systematic first‑person methods for comparing altered states.

Published
Journal
Preprints
Authors
Sanders, J. W., Milliere, R., Daily, Z. G., Carhart-Harris, R., Timmermann, C.
Open Accessmeta

Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics: a comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models

This review (2024) examines the effects of classic psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, DMT) and non-classic psychedelics (e.g., ketamine, MDMA) on neuroplasticity. Drawing on preclinical and clinical studies, it discusses molecular, structural, and functional changes induced by these agents, highlighting their potential to re-open developmental windows (hyper-plasticity) and increase nervous system sensitivity to stimuli (meta-plasticity). Translating findings to humans remains challenging, but emerging tools like PET radioligands and multimodal approaches offer promise for future research.

Published
Journal
Preprints
Authors
Agnorelli, C., Spriggs, M. J., Godfrey, K., Sawicka, G., Bohl, B., Douglass, H., Fagiolini, A., Parastoo, H., Carhart-Harris, R. L., Nutt, D. J., Erritzoe, D.
Open Accessindividual

Major life changes following psychedelic use: A retrospective survey among people using psychedelics naturalistically

This survey (n=581) evaluates the Psychedelic-related Major Life Changes Questionnaire (P-MLCQ) in people reporting naturalistic psychedelic use. It finds that 82.96% of participants reported major life changes in at least one domain, including goals (53.7%), values (53.53%), and spirituality (49.05%), with changes rated highly positively (M = 4.64/5). Frequency of use correlated with more changes (r = 0.34), while education level was negatively associated with the number of changes (β = -0.137).

Published
Journal
Preprints
Authors
Aday, J. S., Glynos, N., Baker, A., Pouyan, N., Barron, J., Herberholz, M., Kruger, D. J., Woolley, J. D., Boehnke, K. F.
Open Accessmeta

Psychedelics, placebo effects, and set and setting: insights from common factors theory of psychotherapy

This commentary paper (pre-print) examines four common factors of psychedelic (healing) experiences and how those factors contribute, next to the molecules themselves, to the therapeutic effects. The factors are: 1) therapeutic relationship/alliance, 2) setting, 3) rationale/set, and 4) ritual.

Published
Journal
Preprints
Authors
Gukasyan, N., Nayak, S.

Quick Facts

Papers Indexed
9
Publisher
MDPI
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