Predictors of Psychedelic Experience: A Thematic Analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie McCartney ◽  
Hugh McGovern ◽  
Alexander De Foe
Keyword(s):  
Harm Reduction ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
First Person ◽  
Online Database ◽  
Early Step ◽  
Nuanced Understanding

Research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances is rapidly expanding. A major limitation within this field is the unpredictability of individual responses to psychedelic substances. A better understanding of factors that can predict psychedelic experience is essential to both clinical progress and wider harm reduction frameworks. Ketamine, MDMA, LSD and psilocybin were selected for comparison due to their promising therapeutic effects and different mechanisms of action. The current study aimed to (a) identify factors that predict both positive and adverse psychedelic experience, and (b) compare these predictors across the four psychedelic substances. A thematic analysis was conducted on twenty-four subjective, first-person reports of psychedelic use (six per substance), sourced from the Erowid online database. The analysis revealed three external predictors (nature, music and preparation) and three internal predictors (understanding, mindset and motivation). Each predictor contained two sub-themes that further elucidated their meaning and impact. Nature and music emerged as potential tools for de-escalating adverse reactions to psychedelics, which was a novel finding. A comparison between substances further revealed that these predictors actually had different impacts, depending on the substance being taken. Finally, the importance of, and interrelationship between, preparation, mindset, understanding and motivation was made clear. The broader clinical and sociological implications of this were discussed, with particular reference to developing harm reduction frameworks. As psychedelic therapy and research continues to gain momentum, these findings constitute an early step in developing a more nuanced understanding of the factors shaping psychedelic experience.

Effects of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells on Liver Diseases

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 442-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenjie Zheng ◽  
Yumin Yang ◽  
Russel Clive Sequeira ◽  
Colin E. Bishop ◽  
Anthony Atala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regenerative Medicine ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Liver Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Chronic Liver Injury ◽  
Mediated Effects ◽  
Therapeutic Benefits

Therapeutic effects of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSCs) transplantation have been observed in various disease models. However, it is thought that MSCs-mediated effects largely depend on the paracrine manner of secreting cytokines, growth factors, and Extracellular Vesicles (EVs). Similarly, MSCs-derived EVs also showed therapeutic benefits in various liver diseases through alleviating fibrosis, improving regeneration of hepatocytes, and regulating immune activity. This review provides an overview of the MSCs, their EVs, and their therapeutic potential in treating various liver diseases including liver fibrosis, acute and chronic liver injury, and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). More specifically, the mechanisms by which MSC-EVs induce therapeutic benefits in liver diseases will be covered. In addition, comparisons between MSCs and their EVs were also evaluated as regenerative medicine against liver diseases. While the mechanisms of action and clinical efficacy must continue to be evaluated and verified, MSCs-derived EVs currently show tremendous potential and promise as a regenerative medicine treatment for liver disease in the future.

scholarly journals Music is Beneficial for Awake Craniotomy Patients: A Qualitative Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radhika Jadavji-Mithani ◽  
Lashmi Venkatraghavan ◽  
Mark Bernstein
Keyword(s):  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Adverse Reactions ◽  
Awake Craniotomy ◽  
Awake Surgery ◽  
Beck Anxiety Inventory ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Axial Coding ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Group 1

AbstractObjectives: Patients undergoing awake craniotomy may experience high levels of stress. Minimizing anxiety benefits patients and surgeons. Music has many therapeutic effects in altering human mood and emotion. Tonality of music as conveyed by composition in major or minor keys can have an impact on patients’ emotions and thoughts. Assessing the effects of listening to major and minor key musical pieces on patients undergoing awake craniotiomy could help in the design of interventions to alleviate anxiety, stress and tension. Methods: Twenty-nine patients who were undergoing awake craniotomy were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups: Group 1 subjects listened to major key music and Group 2 listened to minor key compositions. Subjects completed a demographics questionnaire, a pre- and post-operative Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and a semi-structured open-ended interview. Results were analyzed using modified thematic analysis through open and axial coding. Results: Overall, patients enjoyed the music regardless of the key distinctions and stated they benefitted from listening to the music. No adverse reactions to the music were found. Subjects remarked that the music made them feel more at ease and less anxious before, during and after their procedure. Patients preferred either major key or minor key music but not a combination of both. Those who preferred major key pieces said it was on the basis of tonality while the individuals who selected minor key pieces stated that tempo of the music was the primary factor. Conclusion: Overall, listening to music selections was beneficial for the patients. Future work should further investigate the effects of audio interventions in awake surgery through narrative means.

scholarly journals Ketogenic diet for human diseases: the underlying mechanisms and potential for clinical implementations

2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiyuan Zhu ◽  
Dexi Bi ◽  
Youhua Zhang ◽  
Cheng Kong ◽  
Jiahao Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ketogenic Diet ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Ketone Bodies ◽  
Intractable Epilepsy ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Clinical Implementation ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Low Carbohydrate Diet ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms

AbstractThe ketogenic diet (KD) is a high-fat, adequate-protein, and very-low-carbohydrate diet regimen that mimics the metabolism of the fasting state to induce the production of ketone bodies. The KD has long been established as a remarkably successful dietary approach for the treatment of intractable epilepsy and has increasingly garnered research attention rapidly in the past decade, subject to emerging evidence of the promising therapeutic potential of the KD for various diseases, besides epilepsy, from obesity to malignancies. In this review, we summarize the experimental and/or clinical evidence of the efficacy and safety of the KD in different diseases, and discuss the possible mechanisms of action based on recent advances in understanding the influence of the KD at the cellular and molecular levels. We emphasize that the KD may function through multiple mechanisms, which remain to be further elucidated. The challenges and future directions for the clinical implementation of the KD in the treatment of a spectrum of diseases have been discussed. We suggest that, with encouraging evidence of therapeutic effects and increasing insights into the mechanisms of action, randomized controlled trials should be conducted to elucidate a foundation for the clinical use of the KD.

Therapeutic Potential of Amniotic Fluid Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Based on their Differentiation Capacity and Immunomodulatory Properties

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-336 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl R. Harrell ◽  
Marina Gazdic ◽  
Crissy Fellabaum ◽  
Nemanja Jovicic ◽  
Valentin Djonov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Animal Models ◽  
Amniotic Fluid ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Inflammatory Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Differentiation Capacity ◽  
Cell Based Therapy

Background: Amniotic Fluid Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AF-MSCs) are adult, fibroblast- like, self-renewable, multipotent stem cells. During the last decade, the therapeutic potential of AF-MSCs, based on their huge differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory characteristics, has been extensively explored in animal models of degenerative and inflammatory diseases. Objective: In order to describe molecular mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effects of AFMSCs, we summarized current knowledge about phenotype, differentiation potential and immunosuppressive properties of AF-MSCs. Methods: An extensive literature review was carried out in March 2018 across several databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar), from 1990 to present. Keywords used in the selection were: “amniotic fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells”, “cell-therapy”, “degenerative diseases”, “inflammatory diseases”, “regeneration”, “immunosuppression”. Studies that emphasized molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for AF-MSC-based therapy were analyzed in this review. Results: AF-MSCs have huge differentiation and immunosuppressive potential. AF-MSCs are capable of generating cells of mesodermal origin (chondrocytes, osteocytes and adipocytes), neural cells, hepatocytes, alveolar epithelial cells, insulin-producing cells, cardiomyocytes and germ cells. AF-MSCs, in juxtacrine or paracrine manner, regulate proliferation, activation and effector function of immune cells. Due to their huge differentiation capacity and immunosuppressive characteristic, transplantation of AFMSCs showed beneficent effects in animal models of degenerative and inflammatory diseases of nervous, respiratory, urogenital, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal system. Conclusion: Considering the fact that amniotic fluid is obtained through routine prenatal diagnosis, with minimal invasive procedure and without ethical concerns, AF-MSCs represents a valuable source for cell-based therapy of organ-specific or systemic degenerative and inflammatory diseases.

scholarly journals CKD-506: A novel HDAC6-selective inhibitor that exerts therapeutic effects in a rodent model of multiple sclerosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daekwon Bae ◽  
Ji-Young Lee ◽  
Nina Ha ◽  
Jinsol Park ◽  
Jiyeon Baek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Immune Responses ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Autoimmune Encephalitis ◽  
Selective Inhibitor ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Treatment Regimens ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Experimental Autoimmune

AbstractDespite advances in therapeutic strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS), the therapy options remain limited with various adverse effects. Here, the therapeutic potential of CKD-506, a novel HDAC6-selective inhibitor, against MS was evaluated in mice with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein35–55 (MOG35–55)-induced experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE) under various treatment regimens. CKD-506 exerted prophylactic and therapeutic effects by regulating peripheral immune responses and maintaining blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity. In MOG35–55-re-stimulated splenocytes, CKD-506 decreased proliferation and downregulated the expression of IFN-γ and IL-17A. CKD-506 downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the blood of EAE mice. Additionally, CKD-506 decreased the leakage of intravenously administered Evans blue into the spinal cord; CD4+ T cells and CD4−CD11b+CD45+ macrophage/microglia in the spinal cord was also decreased. Moreover, CKD-506 exhibited therapeutic efficacy against MS, even when drug administration was discontinued from day 15 post-EAE induction. Disease exacerbation was not observed when fingolimod was changed to CKD-506 from day 15 post-EAE induction. CKD-506 alleviated depression-like behavior at the pre-symptomatic stage of EAE. In conclusion, CKD-506 exerts therapeutic effects by regulating T cell- and macrophage-mediated peripheral immune responses and strengthening BBB integrity. Our results suggest that CKD-506 is a potential therapeutic agent for MS.

scholarly journals Enteropeptidase inhibitor SCO-792 effectively prevents kidney function decline and fibrosis in a rat model of chronic kidney disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuko Katayama ◽  
Jun Sugama ◽  
Tomohisa Suzuki ◽  
Yoshimasa Ishimura ◽  
Akihiro Kobayashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Function ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Renal Plasma Flow ◽  
Production Capacity ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes ◽  
Gfr Decline

Abstract Background Inhibiting enteropeptidase, a gut serine protease regulating protein digestion, suppresses food intake and ameliorates obesity and diabetes in mice. However, the effects of enteropeptidase inhibition on the kidney parameters are largely unknown. Here, we evaluated the chronic effects of an enteropeptidase inhibitor, SCO-792, on kidney function, albuminuria, and kidney pathology in spontaneously hypercholesterolaemic (SHC) rats, a rat chronic kidney disease (CKD) model. Methods SCO-792, an orally available enteropeptidase inhibitor, was administered (0.03% and 0.06% (w/w) in the diet) for five weeks to 20-week-old SHC rats showing albuminuria and progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The effects of SCO-792 and the contribution of amino acids to these effects were evaluated. Results SCO-792 increased the faecal protein content, indicating that SCO-792 inhibited enteropeptidase in SHC rats. Chronic treatment with SCO-792 prevented GFR decline and suppressed albuminuria. Moreover, SCO-792 improved glomerulosclerosis and kidney fibrosis. Pair feeding with SCO-792 (0.06%) was less effective in preventing GFR decline, albuminuria, and renal histological damage than SCO-792 treatment, indicating the enteropeptidase-inhibition-dependent therapeutic effects of SCO-792. SCO-792 did not affect the renal plasma flow, suggesting that its effect on GFR was mediated by an improvement in filtration fraction. Moreover, SCO-792 increased hydrogen sulphide production capacity, which has a role in tissue protection. Finally, methionine and cysteine supplementation to the diet abrogated SCO-792-induced therapeutic effects on albuminuria. Conclusions SCO-792-mediated inhibition of enteropeptidase potently prevented GFR decline, albuminuria, and kidney fibrosis; hence, it may have therapeutic potential against CKD.

scholarly journals Combinatorial Therapeutic Effect of Inhibitors of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase and Mitochondrial Complex I, and the Chemotherapeutic Drug, Temozolomide against Glioblastoma Tumorspheres

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 282
Author(s):  
Hun Ho Park ◽  
Junseong Park ◽  
Hye Joung Cho ◽  
Jin-Kyoung Shim ◽  
Ju Hyung Moon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ◽  
Cell Metabolism ◽  
Dual Therapy ◽  
Mechanisms Of Action ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Chemotherapeutic Drug ◽  
Mitochondrial Complex ◽  
Dual Inhibitors ◽  
Dual Inhibition ◽  
Tumor Bioenergetics

Resident cancer cells with stem cell-like features induce drug tolerance, facilitating survival of glioblastoma (GBM). We previously showed that strategies targeting tumor bioenergetics present a novel emerging avenue for treatment of GBM. The objective of this study was to enhance the therapeutic effects of dual inhibition of tumor bioenergetics by combination of gossypol, an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor, and phenformin, a biguanide compound that depletes oxidative phosphorylation, with the chemotherapeutic drug, temozolomide (TMZ), to block proliferation, stemness, and invasiveness of GBM tumorspheres (TSs). Combination therapy with gossypol, phenformin, and TMZ induced a significant reduction in ATP levels, cell viability, stemness, and invasiveness compared to TMZ monotherapy and dual therapy with gossypol and phenformin. Analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed up-regulation of genes involved in programmed cell death, autophagy, and protein metabolism and down-regulation of those associated with cell metabolism, cycle, and adhesion. Combination of TMZ with dual inhibitors of tumor bioenergetics may, therefore, present an effective strategy against GBM by enhancing therapeutic effects through multiple mechanisms of action.

scholarly journals COVID-19—The Potential Beneficial Therapeutic Effects of Spironolactone during SARS-CoV-2 Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 71
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kotfis ◽  
Kacper Lechowicz ◽  
Sylwester Drożdżal ◽  
Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej ◽  
Tomasz K. Wojdacz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Fibrosis ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Severe Pneumonia ◽  
Therapeutic Benefit ◽  
World Health ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Severe Acute Respiratory Infection ◽  
Dual Action ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Transmembrane Serine Protease

In March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The clinical course of the disease is unpredictable but may lead to severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) and pneumonia leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). It has been shown that pulmonary fibrosis may be one of the major long-term complications of COVID-19. In animal models, the use of spironolactone was proven to be an important drug in the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis. Through its dual action as a mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist and an androgenic inhibitor, spironolactone can provide significant benefits concerning COVID-19 infection. The primary effect of spironolactone in reducing pulmonary edema may also be beneficial in COVID-19 ARDS. Spironolactone is a well-known, widely used and safe anti-hypertensive and antiandrogenic medication. It has potassium-sparing diuretic action by antagonizing mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs). Spironolactone and potassium canrenoate, exerting combined pleiotropic action, may provide a therapeutic benefit to patients with COVID-19 pneumonia through antiandrogen, MR blocking, antifibrotic and anti-hyperinflammatory action. It has been proposed that spironolactone may prevent acute lung injury in COVID-19 infection due to its pleiotropic effects with favorable renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) and ACE2 expression, reduction in transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) activity and antiandrogenic action, and therefore it may prove to act as additional protection for patients at highest risk of severe pneumonia. Future prospective clinical trials are warranted to evaluate its therapeutic potential.

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