All posts tagged: doses

Repeated doses of psilocybin show promise for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder

Repeated doses of psilocybin show promise for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder

Published by José Betancourt

A new clinical trial suggests that multiple doses of psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms,” could provide substantial relief for individuals suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. The findings indicate that repeated weekly treatments are safe and tend to significantly reduce the severity of obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. This research, published in the https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811261424214” target=”_blank”>Journal of Psychopharmacology, provides evidence for a new potential treatment avenue for those who have not found success with standard therapies. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a debilitating psychiatric condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. These symptoms consume a significant amount of time and can severely disrupt daily functioning. Current standard treatments typically include a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and daily medications like serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, these traditional approaches often fall short for many patients. People frequently experience delayed or incomplete symptom relief, and they sometimes struggle to adhere to the treatments due to unwanted side effects. Because of these challenges, scientists have sought alternative therapeutic approaches that might offer faster or more robust relief. Psilocybin has recently emerged …

Low doses of LSD alter emotional brain responses in people with mild depression

Low doses of LSD alter emotional brain responses in people with mild depression

Published by José Betancourt

A new study suggests that low doses of the psychedelic drug lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD, can enhance how the human brain processes emotional rewards. The research, published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology, points to specific shifts in electrical brain activity following the administration of a small dose in patients experiencing mild depression. These neural changes corresponded with an improved mood that lasted for days after the initial exposure. For years, public interest has grown around the practice of taking very small, barely perceptible amounts of psychedelic drugs. Often referred to as microdosing, this habit is frequently touted by advocates as a way to elevate mood, enhance creativity, and improve mental focus. Taking tiny amounts of LSD every few days has become especially popular among those seeking alternative ways to manage depression. Yet proving the benefits of microdosing under controlled laboratory conditions has proven difficult. Subjective self-reported mood questionnaires sometimes fail to capture subtle biological changes happening beneath the surface. To bypass these limitations, researchers are turning to direct measurements of electrical activity …

Low doses of lithium may slow verbal memory decline from Alzheimer’s

Low doses of lithium may slow verbal memory decline from Alzheimer’s

Published by Jenni Sidey

A once-daily dose of a medication, which averaged 195 mg, produced blood levels significantly lower than those typically pursued by psychiatrists. However, it succeeded in generating a weak signal concerning the potential influence on memory performance. This is the essence of a two-year placebo-controlled clinical trial studying the effects of low-dose lithium therapy on memory performance in older adults who have mild cognitive impairment. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine conducted the study, which utilized repeated cognitive assessments, neuroimaging data, and blood-based biomarkers to monitor participants over time. The results were published in JAMA Neurology. Lithium has been used for many years as a medication for patients with bipolar disorder. This study examined a different question. It asked how effective long-term therapy with low doses of lithium might be in slowing the decline of memory and cognitive function in individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, which is often identified before the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. An Existing Medication But with an Alternate Purpose Ariel Gildengers, PhD, was the principal investigator of this clinical trial. …

MIT scientists create pill capsule sensor to help doctors track missed doses

MIT scientists create pill capsule sensor to help doctors track missed doses

Published by Jenni Sidey

Missing a dose can feel small in the moment. But in transplant care, HIV, tuberculosis, and many heart conditions, a skipped pill can carry a heavy price. That gap between what a doctor prescribes and what a patient actually takes has long frustrated clinicians and families. Now MIT engineers say they have built a pill that can confirm, within minutes, that it was swallowed, then largely dissolves in the stomach. The new system is designed to fit inside existing pill capsules. It relies on radio frequency, a signal type that can be detected from outside the body and is considered safe for humans. The capsule stays quiet before you swallow it. After ingestion, it sends a confirmation signal. Most of its parts then break down in the stomach, while a tiny radio frequency chip passes through the digestive tract and exits the body. “The goal is to make sure that this helps people receive the therapy they need to help maximize their health,” said Giovanni Traverso, an associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT, a …

Children only need small daily doses of peanuts to gain protection, study finds

Children only need small daily doses of peanuts to gain protection, study finds

Published by Jenni Sidey

For many families living with peanut allergy, everyday life can feel like walking through a minefield. A crumb on a table, a shared dessert, a mislabeled snack can all trigger fear. Now, new research from The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Montreal Children’s Hospital suggests that children may not need large daily doses of peanut to gain protection. Very small amounts might do the job, with fewer side effects and a treatment schedule that feels more manageable. Why Smaller Doses Matter In Canada, nearly 2 per cent of children and adults live with peanut allergy. For many of them, strict avoidance is the only strategy, even though a single mistake can cause a serious reaction. Peanut oral immunotherapy, often called peanut OIT, tries to change that reality. In OIT, a child eats tiny amounts of peanut protein under medical care. The dose increases slowly over time until they reach a regular “maintenance” amount. That daily maintenance dose keeps the immune system trained so it is less likely to overreact to accidental exposure. Randomized …