scholarly journals Natural Language as a Window into the Subjective Effects and Neurochemistry of Psychedelic Drugs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enzo Tagliazucchi
Keyword(s):  
Language Production ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Subjective Effects ◽  
Semantic Content ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Open Problems ◽  
Retrospective Reports ◽  
Psychedelic Drugs ◽  
Neurochemical Profile

Psychedelics are drugs capable of eliciting profound alterations in the subjective experience of the users, sometimes with long-lasting consequences. Because of this, psychedelic research tends to focus on human subjects, given their capacity to construct detailed narratives about the contents of their consciousness experiences. In spite of its relevance, the interaction between serotonergic psychedelics and language production is comparatively understudied in the recent literature. This review is focused on two aspects of this interaction: how the acute effects of psychedelic drugs impact on speech organization regardless of its semantic content, and how to characterize the subjective effects of psychedelic drugs by analyzing the semantic content of written retrospective reports. We show that the computational characterization of language production is an emergent powerful tool to predict the therapeutic outcome of individual experiences, relate the effects elicited by psychedelics with those associated with other altered states of consciousness, draw comparisons between the psychedelic state and the symptomatology of certain psychiatric disorders, and investigate the neurochemical profile and mechanism of action of different psychedelic drugs. We conclude that researchers studying psychedelics can considerably expand the range of their potential scientific conclusions by analyzing brief interviews obtained before, during and after the acute effects. Finally, we list a series of questions and open problems that should be addressed to further consolidate this approach.

Acute effects of smoking marijuana on hormones, subjective effects and performance in male human subjects

1986 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1749-1754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward J. Cone ◽  
Rolley E. Johnson ◽  
James D. Moore ◽  
John D. Roache
Keyword(s):  
Human Subjects ◽  
Subjective Effects ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Smoking Marijuana

scholarly journals Microevidence for microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study of subjective effects, behavior, creativity, perception, cognition, and brain activity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Federico Cavanna ◽  
Stephanie Muller ◽  
Laura Alethia de la Fuente ◽  
Federico Zamberlan ◽  
Matías Palmucci ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Subjective Experience ◽  
Spectral Power ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Subjective Effects ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Theta Band ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Double Blind Placebo ◽  
Active Dose

AbstractThe use of low sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics (“microdosing”) has gained popularity in recent years. Although anecdotal reports claim multiple benefits associated with this practice, the lack of placebo-controlled studies limits our knowledge of microdosing and its effects. Moreover, research conducted in laboratory settings might fail to capture the motivation of individuals engaged in microdosing protocols. We recruited 34 individuals planning to microdose with psilocybin mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis), one of the materials most frequently used for this purpose. Following a double-blind placebo-controlled design, we investigated the effects of 0.5 g dried mushrooms on subjective experience, behavior, creativity, perception, cognition, and brain activity. The reported acute effects were significantly more intense for the active dose compared to the placebo, which could be explained by unblinding. For the other measurements, we observed either null effects or a trend towards cognitive impairment and, in the case of EEG, towards reduced theta band spectral power. Our findings support the possibility that expectation effects underlie at least some of the anecdotal benefits attributed to microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms.

scholarly journals Effect of capsinoids on energy metabolism in human subjects

2009 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jose E. Galgani ◽  
Donna H. Ryan ◽  
Eric Ravussin
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Metabolic Rate ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Axillary Temperature ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Different Doses

Capsinoids are non-pungent compounds with molecular structures similar to capsaicin, which has accepted thermogenic properties. To assess the acute effect of a plant-derived preparation of capsinoids on energy metabolism, we determined RMR and non-protein respiratory quotient (NPRQ) after ingestion of different doses of the capsinoids. Thirteen healthy subjects received four doses of the capsinoids (1, 3, 6 and 12 mg) and placebo using a crossover, randomised, double-blind trial. After a 10 h overnight fast as inpatients, RMR was measured by indirect calorimetry for 45 min before and 120 min after ingesting capsinoids or placebo. Blood pressure and axillary temperature were measured before ( − 55 and − 5 min) and after (60 and 120 min) dosing. Before dosing, mean RMR was 6247 (se92) kJ/d and NPRQ was 0·86 (se0·01). At 120 min after dosing, metabolic rate and NPRQ remained similar across the four capsinoids and placebo doses. Capsinoids also had no influence on blood pressure or axillary temperature. Capsinoids provided in four doses did not affect metabolic rate and fuel partitioning in human subjects when measured 2 h after exposure. Longer exposure and higher capsinoids doses may be required to cause meaningful acute effects on energy metabolism.

scholarly journals Acute effects of mustard, horseradish, black pepper and ginger on energy expenditure, appetite,ad libitumenergy intake and energy balance in human subjects

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 556-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. T. Gregersen ◽  
A. Belza ◽  
M. G. Jensen ◽  
C. Ritz ◽  
C. Bitz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Balance ◽  
Treatment Effects ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Black Pepper ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Significant Treatment ◽  
Ad Libitum ◽  
Few Data

Chilli peppers have been shown to enhance diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT) and reduce energy intake (EI) in some studies, but there are few data on other pungent spices. The primary aim of the present study was to test the acute effects of black pepper (pepper), ginger, horseradish and mustard in a meal on 4 h postprandial DIT. The secondary aim was to examine the effects on subjective appetite measures,ad libitumEI and energy balance. In a five-way placebo-controlled, single-blind, cross-over trial, twenty-two young (age 24·9 (sd4·6) years), normal-weight (BMI 21·8 (sd2·1) kg/m2) males were randomly assigned to receive a brunch meal with either pepper (1·3 g), ginger (20 g), horseradish (8·3 g), mustard (21 g) or no spices (placebo). The amounts of spices were chosen from pre-testing to make the meal spicy but palatable. No significant treatment effects were observed on DIT, but mustard produced DIT, which tended to be larger than that of placebo (14 %, 59 (se3)v.52 (se2) kJ/h, respectively,P= 0·08). No other spice induced thermogenic effects approaching statistical significance. Subjective measures of appetite (P>0·85),ad libitumEI (P= 0·63) and energy balance (P= 0·67) also did not differ between the treatments. Finally, horseradish decreased heart rate (P= 0·048) and increased diastolic blood pressure (P= 0·049) compared with placebo. In conclusion, no reliable treatment effects on appetite, EI or energy balance were observed, although mustard tended to be thermogenic at this dose. Further studies should explore the possible strength and mechanisms of the potential thermogenic effect of mustard actives, and potential enhancement by, for example, combinations with other food components.

scholarly journals Acute effects of MDMA on trust, cooperative behaviour and empathy: A double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment

2020 ◽  
pp. 026988112092667
Author(s):  
Anna Borissova ◽  
Bart Ferguson ◽  
Matthew B Wall ◽  
Celia JA Morgan ◽  
Robin L Carhart-Harris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Ultimatum Game ◽  
Subjective Effects ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Controlled Experiment ◽  
Prosocial Behaviour ◽  
Cooperative Behaviour ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Bayesian Analyses

Background: 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is being actively researched as an adjunct to psychotherapy. It may be beneficial to trust, empathy and cooperative behaviour due to its acute prosocial effects. Aim: To test (a) the acute effects of MDMA on measures of empathy, trust and cooperative behaviour, and (b) subacute changes in mood three days after MDMA administration. Methods: Twenty-five participants ( n=7 female), participated in this double-blind, repeated-measures, placebo-controlled experiment. Participants attended two acute sessions, one week apart. Each acute session was followed by a subacute session three days later. Participants received placebo (100 mg ascorbic acid) during one acute session, and MDMA (100 mg MDMA-HCl) at the other, with order counterbalanced. Participants completed the following tasks assessing prosocial behaviour: a trust investment task, a trustworthy face rating task, an empathic stories task, a public project game, a dictator game and an ultimatum game. Participants reported subjective effects. Blood was taken pre-drug, 2 and 4 hours post-drug, and tested for plasma MDMA levels. Results: MDMA acutely increased self-reported ‘closeness to others’ and ‘euphoria’ and increased plasma concentrations of MDMA. MDMA did not significantly change task-based empathy, trust or cooperative behaviour. Using Bayesian analyses, we found evidence that MDMA and placebo did not differ in their effects on empathy and cooperative behaviour. MDMA did not significantly change subacute mood and this was supported by our Bayesian analyses. Conclusion: Despite augmentation in plasma MDMA levels and subjective drug effects, we found no increase in prosocial behaviour in a laboratory setting.

Mephedrone and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine: Comparative psychobiological effects as reported by recreational polydrug users

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (12) ◽  
pp. 1313-1320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lewis Jones ◽  
Phil Reed ◽  
Andrew Parrott
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Subjective Effects ◽  
Recovery Period ◽  
Social Network Sites ◽  
Acute Effects ◽  
Subjective Ratings ◽  
Average Amount ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Nasal Irritation

Aims: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of mephedrone and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), as reported by young recreational polydrug users. Methods: 152 MDMA users and 81 mephedrone users were recruited through snowballing on social network sites. They completed a standard online questionnaire for either mephedrone or MDMA. The questions covered the average amount taken per session, the longest duration of usage in the last 12-months, subjective effects while on-drug, and recovery effects in the days afterwards. Results: Mephedrone users reported a significantly longer maximum session of use than MDMA users. Mephedrone users also reported a significantly greater average amount used per session. The majority of on-drug subjective ratings did not differ between drugs, with similar increases in entactogenic effects. Although mephedrone users did report significantly more frequent issues with sleeping, anger and anxiety. In relation to recovery, mephedrone users reported more frequent craving, nasal irritation, paranoia, and relationship difficulties. Mephedrone users also rated general recovery effects as more severe over the seven-day period following use, taking more days to feel normal. Conclusions: The acute effects of MDMA and mephedrone were broadly similar. However, the recovery period for mephedrone was more enduring, possibly due to the longer duration of acute session usage.

scholarly journals Psychedelic Epistemology: William James and the “Noetic Quality” of Mystical Experience

Religions ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1058
Author(s):  
Ron Cole-Turner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Religious Experience ◽  
Subjective Experience ◽  
William James ◽  
Mystical Experience ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Psychedelic Drugs ◽  
Subjective States

William James proposed in 1902 that states of mystical experience, central to his idea of religious experience, can be identified based on their ineffability and their noetic quality. The epistemological category of the noetic quality, modified by W. T. Stace in 1960, plays a central but somewhat confounding role in today’s biomedical research involving psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and LSD. Using scales based on James, it can be shown that psychedelics “reliably occasion” intense subjective states of experience or mystical states. It is debated whether these states are necessary for the wide range of possible mental health therapeutic benefits that appear to follow. This paper reviews what James said about the noetic quality and its relationship to religious experience, epistemology, and states of mystical experience. It explores how the noetic quality is measured in today’s research, addressing a growing list of concerns that psychedelic science can be epistemologically biased, that it is hostile to atheistic or physicalist views, that it injects religion unduly into science, or that it needs to find ways to eliminate the mystical element, if not the entire intense subjective experience altogether.

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