recent research with hallucinogens + entactogens in...
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Recent Research withHallucinogens and
Entactogens in Germany
Torsten Passie M.D., Ph.D.Dept. of Clinical Psychiatry and PsychotherapyHannover Medical School (Germany)
Research in Germany
Mescaline:
Louis Lewin A. Heffter Spaeth
Botany chemistry ethnography
Kurt Beringer + others
Psychopathology biochemistry
Mescaline-research
Kurt Beringer 1887-1957Peyote plants
Research in Germany
LSD:
Leuner, Derbolowski, Mattussek
Psychopathology biochemistry
Psychotherapy
Creativity + art
LSD-research
Hanscarl Leuner 1920-96Original LSD preparations
Recent research in Germany
Recent research
Mescaline MDE S-MDE
Psilocybin DMT Ketamine
Hermle, Gouzoulis, Spitzer, Passie
Psychopathology Neurometabolism
Neurocognition Therapy
Mescaline
Psychopathology + cognitive testing
SPECT
Results: hyperfrontality
right hemisphere activated
MDE
Psychopathology + cognitive testing
Physiological changes
State of consciousness
Subjective Experience
PET + sleep neurophysiology
MDE findings
Affective activation
No hallucinatory effects
Intact cognition + self-control
Reduction of anxiety + defenses
Heightened empathy + self acceptance
n=12, n=12
MDE findings
Physiologically well tolerated
Entactogenic psychic effects
PET: hypofrontal hypocortical
deactivation of the left amygdala
S-MDE: lesser side effects
Ketamine
Neuropsychology
State of consciousness
Subjective experience
Comparing R/S- to S-ketamine
Ketamine findings
Low neuropsychological deficits
Linear dose-dependence
Substantial subjective alterations
R/S- versus S-ketamine:
No significant difference
n=12, n=30
Psilocybin
Psycholytic therapy
Comparing face expressions
Semantic associations
Neuropsychology
Neurometabolism
Psycholytic therapy
Dream-like state
Intensification of:
Emotions
Memories
Unconsciousconflicts
Psycholytic session (Prof. Leuner in the center)
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Therapy: Publications
1967 Source: Passie 1997
Psilocybin
Dr. Hermle at Tübingen University
Psilocybin findings
Dream-like absorption
Affective stimulation
Reduction of self-control
Enhanced imagery
Synesthesias
Psilocybin findings
Accessing treatment-resistant patients
Widening of associations
Face expressions
De-conceptualization of perception
Complex visuals + synesthesias
Comparing substances
Psilocybin MDE MethamphetaminePsychopathology + Neurometabolism
Results: specific psychopathology
Specific neurometabolic patterns
Hallucinogens Entactogens Stimulants
Gouzoulis et al. 1999
Experiential patterns
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Psilocybin MDE Ketamine Methamphet
OSEAIAVUS
Experiments
Psilocybin experiment
12 male physicans
Double blind (0,2 mg/kg p.o.)
Experiment: part quiet, part active
Neuropsychology + synesthesias
Subjective Experience
Hollow mask ?
Sensory data
Conceptualization
Plausibility-controlCensor
Top-Down
Bottom-Up
3-component modelof perception
Top-Down-Illusions
Hollow-mask experiment
Neuropsychological laboratory
Hollow-mask experiment
Experiment 1: Cannabis
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Inversion 1 Inversion 2 Inversion 3
CannabisTHC-LevelControls
Experiment 2: Schizophrenics
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Inversion 1 Inversion 2 Inversion 3
SchizophrBPRSControls
Project with Entactogens
Entactogens: MDMA + MDE
New substances
Unique psychopharmacology
Less psychopathology
Psychotherapeutic uses
No toxicity with therapeutic doses
Alterations of experience
Affective activation
Intact cognition + self control
Reduction of anxiety + defenses
Enhanced communication
Heightened empathy + self acceptance
Recent MDE-project
Triple blind
18 couples
Chronically disturbed relationships
Strict inclusion criteria
Treatment: MDE versus ephedrine
Why couples?
WHO: Health problem
Strongest marker forquality of lifeDivorces > 40%
Treatment depends on communication, empathy + acceptance
Experimental procedure
Examination Inclusion
Conv. treatm. 1. Entactogen Conv. treatm.
2. Entactogen Conv. treatm. End F.-up
Safety measures
Inclusion criteria
Medium dosage
Controlled environment
RR + pulse
Physican always present
Measures
Psychopathology
Quality of life + relationship
Subjective treatment effects
Altered states of consciousness
Video analysis
Literature
Passie T et al. The Pharmacology of Psilocybin.Addiction Biology 7 (2002): 357-364
Passie T et al. What are entactogens?Suchtmedizin 7 (2005): 235-245
Passie T. Psycholytic and Psychedelic TherapyResearch 1931-1995. Hannover 1997
Contact: [email protected]