Psychedelics Research Recap April 2021

Psychedelic research in April pitted psychedelics against SSRIs, gave mice a break from tripping, and found new psychedelics. As we’re awaiting the full results of the MAPS Phase III MDMA trial data, let’s look back at the research of last month.

Psychedelics pitted against antidepressants

This month’s most important and most debated study investigated psilocybin (2 high doses) and Escitalopram (six weeks). The double-blind study investigated the effects on depression and found psilocybin to do better on most measures. The main (pre-registered) measure, a self-reported depression questionnaire, unfortunately, didn’t show significant differences between both groups.

Find our analysis and links to many other commentaries on the page dedicated to this paper.

What if we can have our cake without experiencing that we ate it?

Is it possible to part the positive long-term effects of psychedelics from the acute effects? A new study in mice finds that pretreating them with ketanserin blocks before giving them psilocybin did precisely that. 

Psychological support (as per the ACE model) is possibly one of the big drivers in the psilocybin vs. SSRI trial’s success. And mice are not men. But perhaps, non-hallucinogenic psychedelics (which may need a new name/classification) can be part of our mental healthcare toolbox. In my opinion, even then, we shouldn’t forget the societal and personal causes of (and solutions to) depression.

Discovering molecules that may be non-hallucinogenic might get a lot easier with PsychLight. This innovative technique that highlights serotonin receptor activity has already been used in mice and can predict hallucinogenic potential. Part of the same team is also responsible for tabernanthalog, another non-hallucinogen with anti-addictive potential.

May there already be some psychedelics out there that scientists should get their hands on? A search through online fora identified nearly 1000 previously unknown psychedelic molecules. The new Shulgins are already out there, in the lab, and out in the wild.

Bipolar depression and psychedelics

Bipolar depression (BD; previously manic depression) affects about a third as many people as (major) depression (MDD). Currently, there is very little research on the use and safety of psychedelics for those suffering from BD.

Two recent reviews cover ketamine and psilocybin use for BD. The studies with ketamine look promising. A review investigated the data from six studies with 135 participants. It found a response for 61% of patients versus only 5% in the placebo control group.

A pre-print investigated the use of psilocybin and the risk of activating mania. The 15 case studies, of which four involved psilocybin, showed that there is indeed a risk. A study from last February also highlighted the risk of combining lithium (commonly used by those with BD) and psychedelics.

More studies with ketamine

Ketamine could be used for the treatment of PTSD finds a new review. A study from January showed a response in 67% of patients, but the effects weren’t sustained a month later.

The cognitive function of patients receiving ketamine treatment was also investigated. The study showed only minor differences between those with MDD or PTSD and healthy control subjects. It also found that baseline cognitive function didn’t predict clinical outcomes.

The final ketamine study this month is an opinion article that investigates how ketamine works. It argues that the fast-acting antidepressant effects are a product of heterogeneous (enhancing and suppressing) neuroplasticity.  

Putting ayahuasca into context

A large international survey with nearly 6900 participants investigated the influence of context and setting on mental health and wellbeing outcomes. A combination of motivation, ceremony, and support variables predict these outcomes in a new model proposed in this paper.

An updated review of ayahuasca for substance use disorders (SUDs; e.g., alcoholism found that it helped people (and mice) consume fewer substances and improve mental health and wellbeing scores.

The studies in this review weren’t double-blind placebo-controlled (RCT) trials. However, more and more RCT studies with ayahuasca are being conducted.

One such study this month found, counter to earlier research, that ayahuasca didn’t reduce the recognition of fearful face stimuli. Researchers use this as an indication of social cognition. One possible explanation of the null-finding could be the dose used in the study.

Three other studies reported outcomes from studies with ayahuasca. The first showed varying changes in sub-scores on a depression scale. The second investigated the intent of Western users of ayahuasca (and also reported positive effects on SUDs). And the third analyzed seven case studies of adverse reactions for first-time users.

The rest of the psychedelic studies

A very well-controlled study finds both positive and negative effects on creativity during and after the use of psilocybin. Although not much love has been given to the Default Mode Network (DMN), this study found that decreased integrity of the DMN was the strongest predictor of the found effects.

Microdosing psilocybin increased awe and aesthetic experiences for a group of 30 participants. The researchers point out that many of them were aware that they received a placebo or psilocybin, and expectancy effects could be at play again.

A final look inside the brain shows us that LSD and psilocybin reduce the top-down hierarchical organization. 

Seasoned researchers way in on how psychedelic research can be conducted in the future. One paper argues for more real-world data and digital health solutions. A second speaks specifically about psychedelics and end-of-life care. And a third paper highlights ethical and legal issues that therapists face when working with psychedelics.

Nearing completion at Blossom

This month we added 22 new papers that came out this month (and highlighted 44 more). In the background, we’ve been adding about 100 more papers. This means that we’re nearing the (preliminary) completion of the database. In a few days, we will update our roadmap and show what is in store for Blossom.

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