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Related Concept Videos

Hallucinogens and Psychedelics01:27

Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

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Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains...
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CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents01:22

CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents

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Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
127
Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions01:26

Positive Symptoms Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions

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Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by a range of symptoms that significantly impact cognition, behavior, and emotional regulation. Among these, the positive symptoms stand out as they involve the addition or exaggeration of normal mental functions, deviating markedly from typical behavior and perception. Hallucinations and delusions are prominent positive symptoms, each profoundly affecting the individual's experience of reality.
Hallucinations
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Schizophrenia01:17

Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia, a term introduced by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911, describes a severe psychological disorder marked by profound disruptions in attention, thought processes, language, emotion, and interpersonal relationships. The core feature of schizophrenia is psychosis — a state characterized by a fundamental detachment from reality. This disconnection manifests through distorted logic, impaired perception, and atypical behavior, severely affecting the lives of those...
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Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders01:27

Psychosis: Pathophysiology of Schizophrenia and Other Psychotic Disorders

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Schizophrenia is a neurodevelopmental disorder whose origins are rooted in complex genetic components. Despite our burgeoning understanding, the pathophysiology of this disorder remains incompletely deciphered.
Researchers have identified genetic factors that increase susceptibility to schizophrenia, underscoring the intricate interplay between genetics and environment in disease development. At the core of schizophrenia's pathophysiology is excessive dopaminergic neurotransmission within...
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Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview01:28

Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview

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The term "psychosis" refers to a spectrum of mental disorders characterized by abnormal thoughts, perceptions, and behaviors. It can manifest as mood disorders, dementia, delirium with psychotic features, substance-induced psychosis with psychotic features, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, schizoaffective disorder, and schizophrenia. Among all these disorders, schizophrenia is the most common psychotic disorder, affecting 1% of the worldwide population. Psychotic...
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Psychedelics and schizophrenia: a double-edged sword.

Jacopo Sapienza1,2, Francesca Martini3, Stefano Comai1,4,5,6

  • 1IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.

Molecular Psychiatry
|September 18, 2024
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This summary is machine-generated.

Psychedelics show potential for treating schizophrenia, particularly negative symptoms and social cognition, based on biological rationale and old studies. Microdosing may offer a safe strategy for specific patient groups in future trials.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Psychedelics demonstrate therapeutic promise in various psychiatric conditions.
  • Limited modern research exists on psychedelics for schizophrenia due to psychotomimetic concerns.
  • Historical studies from the 1950s-60s suggested benefits for negative symptoms and social cognition in schizophrenia patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review historical psychedelic research in schizophrenia.
  • To interpret these findings alongside recent molecular mechanisms of psychedelics.
  • To explore the potential therapeutic role of psychedelics in schizophrenia treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A perspective paper reviewing historical, semi-anecdotal studies on psychedelics and schizophrenia.
  • Interpretation of findings based on current understanding of psychedelic neurobiology.
  • Identification of potential therapeutic strategies and patient subpopulations.

Main Results:

  • Historical studies indicated potential improvements in negative symptoms and social cognition.
  • Psychedelic mechanisms of action, including neuroplasticity and system modulation, align with schizophrenia pathophysiology.
  • A subpopulation of chronic patients with negative symptoms may benefit from microdosing.

Conclusions:

  • Psychedelics possess a biological rationale for schizophrenia treatment, despite historical concerns.
  • Microdosing psychedelics at very low doses presents a potential strategy for specific schizophrenia patients.
  • Further clinical trials are warranted to investigate the safety and efficacy of psychedelics in schizophrenia.