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Home/Research/Placebo/Public Health, Prevention & Behaviour Change

Placebo for Public Health, Prevention & Behaviour Change

3 papers and 1 clinical trial exploring placebo as a treatment for public health, prevention & behaviour change.

CompoundComparator / Control

Placebo

Placebo is the most widely referenced comparator in psychedelic clinical research, appearing in over 500 trials. Understanding how placebos are designed, administered, and interpreted is essential to evaluating the evidence base for psychedelic-assisted therapies — and one of the field’s most contested methodological challenges.

Full Placebo profile
IndicationApproximately 20% of adults experience a mental health issue in any given year worldwide.

Public Health, Prevention & Behaviour Change

Current research into psychedelics as a means of public health intervention highlights their potential in addressing various behavioural health conditions. As clinical trials expand, the implications for prevention and behaviour change are becoming increasingly apparent.

Full Public Health, Prevention & Behaviour Change profile

Academic Research

3 papers
Open Accessindividual

Safety and cognitive pharmacodynamics following dose escalations with 3-methylmethcathinone (3-MMC): a first in human, designer drug study

In a first‑in‑human, placebo‑controlled crossover study in 14 volunteers, escalating low–moderate doses (25–100 mg) of 3‑MMC produced dose‑dependent but clinically modest increases in heart rate and blood pressure, transient psychostimulant and mild psychotomimetic effects, and improved performance across processing speed, cognitive flexibility, attention, memory and psychomotor tasks without impairing impulse control. The authors conclude that these low–moderate doses were well tolerated and pharmacodynamically resemble amphetamine‑type stimulants, with potential health risks likely to arise only at high or excessive doses.

Published
December 24, 2024
Journal
Neuropsychopharmacology
Authors
Ramaekers, J. G., Reckweg, J., Mason, N. L., Kuypers, K. P. C., Toennes, S. W., Theunissen, E. L.
Open Accessindividual

The Impact of Ayahuasca on Suicidality: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial.

This secondary analysis of a double-blind, parallel-arm, randomised placebo-controlled trial (n=29) investigates the impact of ayahuasca on suicidality (SI) in individuals with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). It found that ayahuasca may show potential as a fast-acting and innovative intervention for SI, but didn't find significant results (only a trend with a large effect size). This is the first study to investigate the use of ayahuasca for SI.

Published
November 19, 2019
Journal
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Authors
Araújo, D. B., Zeifman, R. J., Palhano-Fontes, F., Hallak, J. E., Arcoverde, E., Maia-de-Oliveira, J. P.
Open Accessindividual

A Randomized Add-on Trial of an N-methyl-D-aspartate Antagonist in Treatment-Resistant Bipolar Depression

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study (n=18) with those suffering from bipolar depression (BD; treatment-resistant) found that ketamine (35mg/70kg; 2x 2w apart) produced anti-depressant effects as measured on the MADRS scale. The effects were found immediately (40 minutes) and lasted up to three days.

Published
August 1, 2010
Journal
JAMA Psychiatry
Authors
Diazgranados, N., Ibrahim, L., Brutsche, N. E., Newberg, A., Kronstein, P., Khalife, S., Kammerer, W. A., Quezado, Z., Luckenbaugh, D. A., Salvadore, G., Machado- Vieira, R., Manji, H. K., Zarate, C. A.

Clinical Trials

1 trial
Completed

Effects of alcohol (0.5 g/kg) and MDMA (100 mg) on (simulated) driving performance, driving related performance and traffic safety

Double-blind, placebo-controlled, 4-way crossover study (n=20) testing single-dose oral MDMA (100 mg), alcohol (0.5 g/kg), and their combination on simulated driving and driving-related cognitive performance in experienced MDMA users.

Started
April 5, 2010
Type
interventional
Blinding
double
Randomized
Yes
Registry ID
2008-001359-23

Explore further

Search all Placebo papers Search all Public Health, Prevention & Behaviour Change trials Full Placebo profile Full Public Health, Prevention & Behaviour Change profile