Does context matter for brain fingerprints? Like the ridges and grooves of our fingerprints, brain functional connectivity architecture can help define us. Here we examined how might brain fingerprints alter as a result of the collective use of ayahuasca. Our results highlight the presence of a shared functional space under ritualistic ayahuasca use, similarly to… Continue reading Ritualistic use of ayahuasca enhances a shared functional connectome identity with others.
What do we mean when we say Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP)? While some general guidelines to conduct PAP treatment programs are quite established and agreed upon, the degree of variability within the preparation - drug session - integration model is still very high. Our latest publication collects, compares and analyses the different therapeutic approaches that are… Continue reading Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions
What is the metabolomic fingerprint of the ayahuasca experience? In a recent study, we collected plasma samples from 23 volunteers both before and during the ayahuasca experience. Samples were screened for concentrations of 164 targeted biomarkers, including endocannabinoids, markers of amino acid metabolism, steroids, ceramindes, etc. What did this fingerprint look like? Changes in serotonin… Continue reading Metabolomics and integrated network analysis reveal roles of endocannabinoids and large neutral amino acid balance in the ayahuasca experience
The therapeutic potential of psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT, ayahuasca) is increasingly shown by clinical studies and is proposed to result from increases in neuroplasticity - the brain’s ability to change throughout life. This systematic literature review summarizes the evidence that psychedelics induce neuroplasticity by focusing on psychedelics’ cellular and molecular neuroplasticity effects after single and repeated administration, as investigated in… Continue reading Psychedelics and Neuroplasticity: A Systematic Review Unraveling the Biological Underpinnings of Psychedelics
A new study from our group: Collaboration with facilitators of ayahuasca ceremonies throughout the Netherlands has allowed us to assess if Ayahuasca, a psychedelic brew of Amazonian origin, induces persisting short- and long-term effects on emotional and cognitive functioning of healthy volunteers. It was found that 24 hours after participating in an ayahuasca ceremony, participants… Continue reading Persisting Effects of Ayahuasca on Empathy, Creative Thinking, Decentering, Personality, and Well-Being
