Journal of psychopharmacology
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J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford) · Jul 2017
An online survey of tobacco smoking cessation associated with naturalistic psychedelic use.
Data suggest psychedelics such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may hold therapeutic potential in the treatment of addictions, including tobacco dependence. This retrospective cross-sectional anonymous online survey characterized 358 individuals (52 females) who reported having quit or reduced smoking after ingesting a psychedelic in a non-laboratory setting ⩾1 year ago. On average, participants smoked 14 cigarettes/day for 8 years, and had five previous quit attempts before their psychedelic experience. ⋯ Participants across all groups reported less severe affective withdrawal symptoms (e.g. depression, craving) after psychedelic use compared with previous quit attempts, suggesting a potential mechanism of action for psychedelic-associated smoking cessation/reduction. Changes in life priorities/values were endorsed as the most important psychological factor associated with smoking cessation/reduction. Results suggest psychedelics may hold promise in treating tobacco addiction as potentially mediated by spiritual experience, changed priorities/values, and improved emotional regulation.
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J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford) · Jul 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialPharmacological interactions between brivaracetam and ethanol in healthy males.
This double-blind, randomized, three-way crossover study explored the potential pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between ethanol and brivaracetam in 18 healthy males, as required for the development of CNS-active drugs. Subjects received (A) ethanol+brivaracetam, (B) ethanol placebo+brivaracetam and (C) ethanol+brivaracetam placebo. Ethanol was infused as a 5.5-hour intravenous clamp with the first 0.5-hour as loading phase to a target level of 0.6 g/L, and brivaracetam was orally administered as a single 200 mg dose. ⋯ A post-hoc exploratory analysis for supra-additivity suggested that most pharmacodynamic effects were likely to be additive in nature, except for adaptive tracking, which appeared to be slightly supra-additive. In conclusion, brivaracetam increased ethanol effects on psychomotor function, attention and memory in healthy males. Intake of brivaracetam with alcohol is not recommended.