The Bloom #149 Free Edition pub lecture

A third of the year has passed by, and since last weeks (Chacruna & Breaking Convention), the conference season is upon us (with Horizons & ICPR taking place soon).

During ICPR, I'll be participating in the policy-focused day (Paths), but you can also find me running around the rest of the conference.

I'm also partnering with my friends Anne and Ingmar, from The New Health Club and Magnolia respectively, in organizing a pub lecture on June 5th. Tickets will be available within the next few days, so keep an eye out on your inbox/socials.

Now back to the research, you can find the recap of April's research on Blossom, and the latest publications below.

Floris - Founder of Blossom

ps Behind the scenes, I've been working on significant updates to our trials database and our courses site - check them out

Latest Psychedelic Research

1 Visual hallucinations originating in the retinofugal pathway under clinical and psychedelic conditions​

This theory building article explores a new understanding of psychedelic modulation in the retinofugal pathway (between the eye and primary visual cortex). It suggests that disruptions in communication between cortical and subcortical regions, influenced by serotonin receptors, may lead to perceptual alterations and hallucinations.

2 Side-effects of mdma-assisted psychotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis​

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the side effects of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) across Phase II and III studies. Thirteen studies were included, with most showing an increase in side effects during medication sessions and the following week compared to control conditions. Despite these findings, the overall certainty of evidence was rated as very low to moderate, and the quality of side effects reporting was generally poor, suggesting further research is needed to fully understand the safety profile of MDMA-AP.

3 Exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of functional seizures: A review of underlying mechanisms and associated brain networks​

This conceptual synthesis proposes psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a potential treatment for functional seizures (FS), a subtype of functional neurological disorder (FND). Drawing on empirical evidence and complexity science, the argument is constructed for the potential efficacy of PAT in treating FS, highlighting FS as a cohort to investigate neural mechanisms of PAT. The synthesis also outlines a novel analytic roadmap to identify markers of FS diagnostic specificity and treatment success, aiming to bridge clinical neurology with psychedelic medicine and establish a new field of psychedelic neurology.

More new research

• ​The Effect of Psychedelics on Individuals with a Personality Disorder: Results from two Prospective Cohort Studies​
• ​Chemical cousins with contrasting behavioural profiles: MDMA users and methamphetamine users differ in social-cognitive functions and aggression​
• ​The 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine enhances early visual processing for salient socio-emotional stimuli​
• ​Ketamine induces multiple individually distinct whole-brain functional connectivity signatures​
• ​Mind the Psychedelic Hype: Characterizing the Risks and Benefits of Psychedelics for Depression​
• ​Rapid and sustained reduction of treatment-resistant PTSD symptoms after intravenous ketamine in a real-world, psychedelic paradigm​

New on Blossom

1 Psychedelic Research Recap April 2024​

This April, psychedelic research dives deep into the mechanisms by which this group of compounds work their magic. We look at both the psychological level – at cognitive flexibility & the ‘inner healer’ concept – as well as the neurological level – battling it out between the 2a & 1a serotonin receptors.

After mechanisms, we will take a closer look at two articles that look at the challenges that come with psychedelic research. The first explores the side effects seen in psychedelic studies, the second investigates the influence of the placebo effect in ketamine studies for depression. We will then remain in the risky corner when discussing two articles that pit MDMA against another amphetamine (meth).

For the final two sections, we’ll first review the literature on 5-MeO-DMT, maybe the most reality-breaking psychedelic of them all (though your reviewer hasn’t tried salvia, so take my opinion with a grain of salt). After that, we will tackle research in areas where psychedelics are showing promise outside of the well-known indications (PTSD, depression, anxiety). The areas that were researched last month include functional seizures, personality disorders, and chronic cluster headaches.

2 Psychedelic Research Links 2024​

All the other papers that have come out this year that don't have a separate entry in the database.

Spotlight

1 ICPR (Event)

In just 50 days, the sixth edition of the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research (ICPR 2024) will take place. It is organized by the OPEN Foundation. It is an academic conference focused on high-quality scientific and scholarly research into psychedelics.

The main conference takes place from June 6 to 8. This is a must-go-to conference for those involved with the academic side of psychedelics.

Join ICPR 2024 with a €100 discount using the code BLOSSOM100

Join the pre-conference day (June 5th) on policy & implementation (PATHS) with a €50 discount using the code BLOSSOM50

2 Guides Collective 5C Marketing Program (Course)

The Guides Collective 5C Marketing Program is a comprehensive 5-week online course designed to equip psychedelic guides, facilitators, and therapists with the essential marketing tools and knowledge to build a successful and sustainable practice. This program addresses the challenges faced by many practitioners in this growing field, such as attracting ideal clients, effectively communicating their message, and navigating the ethical considerations of marketing within the psychedelic space.

Over five weeks, participants delve into a structured curriculum covering key areas like brand development, crafting a digital presence, strategic client engagement, marketing automation, and impactful outreach strategies. The program emphasizes authenticity and ethical practices, ensuring that guides can grow their businesses while staying true to their values and the integrity of the psychedelic experience.

With expert guidance from industry leaders and a supportive community of fellow practitioners, the 5C Marketing Program empowers guides to amplify their impact and share their gifts with those who need them most.

Molenvaart 76, Anna Paulowna, NH 1761AL
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