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Study reveals significant increase in recreational ketamine use among adults

A recent study analyzing data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that past-year recreational ketamine use among adults has increased dramatically since 2015, including significant shifts in associations with depression and sociodemographic characteristics such as race, age and education status.

7 Jan 2025

New insights into uncontrollable movements in Parkinson's disease patients

University of Arizona researchers have revealed new insights into one of the most common complications faced by Parkinson's disease patients: uncontrollable movements that develop after years of treatment.

3 Jan 2025

Zebrafish study uncovers how ketamine affects brain cells to treat depression

The decades-old anesthetic ketamine could be a game changer for treating severe depression, but there are still many questions about how the drug works, including exactly how it affects the brain's cells and circuits.

17 Dec 2024

Psilocybin helps reduce depression in clinicians amid COVID-19 crisis

Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy resulted in significant reductions in depression among clinicians who provided front-line COVID-19 care in 2020 and 2021.

5 Dec 2024

Brain scan could predict success of spinal surgery for chronic pain

A 10-minute brain scan can predict the effectiveness of a risky spinal surgery to alleviate intractable pain. The Kobe University result gives doctors a much-needed biomarker to discuss with patients considering spinal cord stimulation.

3 Dec 2024

Low-dose ketamine may be an effective adjunct analgesic to morphine for managing acute pain

A new study that investigates low-dose ketamine (LDK) as an adjunct to morphine for treating acute pain has been published in the October issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), the peer-reviewed journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).

19 Nov 2024

Study provides insight into how low-dose ketamine alleviates symptoms of major depression

University at Buffalo neuroscientists have identified the binding site of low-dose ketamine, providing critical insight into how the medication, often described as a wonder drug, alleviates symptoms of major depression in as little as a few hours with effects lasting for several days.

19 Nov 2024

New discovery reveals NMDAR's critical function in maintaining brain stability

Researchers at Tel Aviv University have made a fundamental discovery: the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) - long studied primarily for its role in learning and memory - also plays a crucial role in stabilizing brain activity.

15 Nov 2024

Many veterans pursue psychedelics for healing or spiritual exploration

Most U.S. military veterans who have used psychedelics reported in a recent study that they pursued the substances for healing or spiritual exploration, and over 80% said they benefited from the experience – even those who had challenging outcomes.

6 Nov 2024

Study reveals racial bias in postsurgical analgesia

While recovering from major surgery, Black patients may be less likely to receive certain multimodal analgesia options and more likely to receive oral opioids than white patients, according to research being presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY® 2024 annual meeting.

21 Oct 2024

Mount Sinai expands psychedelic research center with major donation from Parsons Foundation

Mount Sinai Health System this week celebrated the opening of an expansion of its psychedelic psychotherapy research center into a new location and announced a foundational $5 million gift from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.

20 Sep 2024

Low-dose ketamine eases fentanyl withdrawal symptoms

Drug overdose is the leading cause of injury deaths in young adults in the United States, with fentanyl causing over 70,000 deaths annually.

17 Sep 2024

Researchers propose ketogenic diet as a novel treatment for anorexia nervosa

Research identifies a neurobiological model supporting a ketogenic diet as a therapeutic approach for anorexia nervosa, addressing both metabolic and psychological factors.

9 Sep 2024

Ketamine clinics show inconsistent practices on pregnancy and contraception

More hospitals and clinics now offer patients ketamine therapy for severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions that haven't responded to other treatments.

3 Sep 2024

Psychedelics: A new hope for substance abuse treatment

Study explores the history and current state of psychedelic research for treating substance abuse disorders, highlighting challenges like restrictive policies, lack of funding, and the need for recognition of traditional and modern therapeutic practices.

28 Aug 2024

Renewed interest in psychedelics as potential addiction therapies

After years of being seen as dangerous "party drugs," psychedelic substances are receiving renewed attention as therapies for addiction -- but far more research is needed, according to a new special series of articles in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, published at Rutgers University.

26 Aug 2024

Psilocybin reconfigures brain networks, showing potential for lasting therapeutic effects

Researchers found that high-dose psilocybin significantly disrupts brain functional connectivity, particularly in the default mode network, with lasting effects linked to therapeutic benefits.

18 Jul 2024

Google searches reveal growing interest in microdosing amid changing drug policies

Loosening local, state and federal regulations on cannabis and psychedelics has increased Americans' interest in microdosing, according to a study from researchers at the University of California San Diego.

28 Jun 2024

Extended-release ketamine tablets offer new hope for treatment-resistant depression

The BEDROC trial found that extended-release ketamine tablets (R-107) significantly improve depressive symptoms in treatment-resistant depression patients, with the 180 mg dose showing the most efficacy. The treatment was well-tolerated with minimal side effects.

26 Jun 2024

New ketamine slow-release tablet shows promise in treating severe depression

A new tablet form of ketamine has shown promise in treating severe depression, offering a potential alternative to existing clinic-based treatments that can be expensive and lacking in convenience for some patients.

24 Jun 2024