Drug-Assisted Psychotherapy Chapter Overview

A substance that intensifies cognition, emotions, and perceptions, acting as a nonspecific amplifier interacting with psychological and social factors.

A term meaning 'soul manifesting' or 'mind manifesting', introduced to describe the effects of some substances.

A term emphasizing impairment of psychological function.

A term that means 'mimicking psychosis'.

Terms emphasizing dreamlike states.

A term emphasizing the use of substances in religious or spiritual contexts.

A substance that interacts with psychological and social context, intensifying thoughts, emotions, and perceptions

MDMA and psilocybin can increase intensity of cognition, emotions, and perceptions.

Psilocybin can induce anxiety or claustrophobia in enclosed, dimly lit spaces, but feelings of well-being and alleviation of anxiety can occur with exposure to natural light.

The term "hallucinogen" is sometimes considered inaccurate in psilocybin research because outright hallucinations are uncommon.

Substances like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and mescaline are categorized as classical hallucinogens.

In this context, "hallucinogen" and "psychedelic" are used interchangeably to refer to classical hallucinogens.

Hallucinogens affect thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, effectively changing the human experience.

Describing the subjective effects of substances is complex, as pinpointing exact psychological impact is challenging.

Tryptamines, such as psilocybin, are a type of classical hallucinogen.

Ergoline (like LSD) is a type of classical hallucinogen.

The varied terminology used to describe the effects of hallucinogenic substances, often reflecting the theoretical viewpoints of those who coined the terms.

Psilocybin, a hallucinogen, can cause somatic symptoms (e.g., dizziness, nausea); perceptual symptoms (e.g., altered colors, heightened hearing); and psychological symptoms (e.g., mood changes, distorted time, depersonalization).

An early term for hallucinogens, coined in 1924 by the researcher who first identified the active alkaloid in peyote.

Hallucinogen use is frequently preceded by anxiety and suspense, described as "weird" and hard to articulate.

Common effects include somatic (body), perceptual (senses) and psychological symptoms.

Commonly reported effects of MDMA include feelings of well-being and heightened emotions.

Individual experiences of MDMA effects can vary significantly, influenced by factors like anxiety and personal responses.

After the initial effects of MDMA subside, long-term effects like decreased fear, improved mood, and enhanced well-being are hypothesized.

Factors influencing the MDMA experience; "set" refers to a person's state of mind, and "setting" refers to the environment in which the MDMA is used.

Hypothesized long-term effects of MDMA that are not fully understood or verified yet.

The complete picture of a person's personal feeling and perception that is difficult to define universally and compare across people.

A treatment approach using MDMA alongside psychotherapy to treat psychological issues, particularly those involved in relapse.

A significant improvement in a patient's condition, indicated by a 30% reduction in the CAPS total severity score.

A group of participants in a study who receive a placebo (an inactive substance) instead of a treatment.

A study phase where participants in the placebo group are given the drug instead in a study that tracks their reactions while swapping them between substances.

A measurement scale used to evaluate the severity of psychological distress.

85% of psychiatrists with MDMA experience reported increased ability to interact with others.

80% of psychiatrists with MDMA experience reported decreased defensiveness.

65% of psychiatrists with MDMA experience reported decreased fear.

60% of psychiatrists with MDMA experience reported a decreased sense of separation from others.

50% of psychiatrists with MDMA experience reported increased awareness of emotions.

50% of psychiatrists with MDMA experience reported decreased aggression.

Hallucinogen effects are more complex than simple activation, impacting various neurotransmitters (glutamate, dopamine, serotonin).

Psilocybin's subjective effects are lessened when 5-HT2A receptors are blocked.

The role of dopamine receptors in hallucinogen effects is less clear compared to serotonin receptiors.

A study is being conducted to incorporate MDMA use into therapist training for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy.