Modulation of Social Cognition via Hallucinogens and “Entactogens”.
This literature review (2019) discusses controlled experimental studies on the effects of psychedelics (e.g. LSD, psilocybin, MDMA) on social cognition and behavior to treat disorders characterized by social dysfunctions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It also discusses persisting knowledge gaps into sex-specific drug effects and objective data on social behavior within the framework of MDMA- and hallucinogen-assisted therapy. The study suggests hallucinogen-based treatment methods and the development of novel medication for trans-diagnostic dysfunction in social cognition and noted that entactogens and hallucinogens have consistently shown prosocial effects and have identified alterations in social processing and behavior as major factors for the efficacy of treatments involving them.
Authors
- Franz Vollenweider
- Katrin Preller
Published
Abstract
Social cognition is a fundamental ability in human everyday lives. Deficits in social functioning also represent a core aspect of many psychiatric disorders. Yet, despite its significance, deficits in social cognition skills are insufficiently targeted by current treatments. Hallucinogens and entactogens have been shown to have the potential to modulate social processing. This article reviews the literature on the influence of hallucinogens and entactogens on social processing in controlled experimental studies in humans and elucidates the underlying neurobiological and neuropharmacological mechanisms. Furthermore, it identifies current knowledge gaps and derives implications for hallucinogen-assisted treatment approaches as well as the development of novel medication for trans-diagnostic impairments in social cognition.
Research Summary of 'Modulation of Social Cognition via Hallucinogens and “Entactogens”.'
Introduction
Social cognition refers to the mental processes by which people perceive, interpret and respond to others, and deficits in these domains are central to many psychiatric disorders and impede recovery and social reintegration. Kirkpatrick and colleagues note that current treatments insufficiently target social-cognitive impairments, despite their recognised trans-diagnostic importance by initiatives such as RDoC. Hallucinogens and entactogens — substances that produce altered perceptual states or feelings of oneness and emotional openness — have been observed recreationally and experimentally to modulate social processing, suggesting potential relevance for novel therapeutics and as adjuncts to psychotherapy. This review sets out to summarise controlled experimental human studies examining how entactogens (primarily MDMA and GHB) and classic hallucinogens (primarily LSD and psilocybin) influence social cognition. The authors aim to describe acute and longer-lasting behavioural effects, report findings from clinical populations where available, and explore neuropharmacological mechanisms that might explain prosocial effects, with a view to informing therapeutic development for trans-diagnostic social dysfunction.
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Preller, K. H., & Vollenweider, F. X. (2019). Modulation of Social Cognition via Hallucinogens and “Entactogens”.. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00881
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