Summary: Cases of PTSD are on the rise globally, yet there are very few effective treatments for the condition. To date, psychotherapy is the most effective way of managing the condition. New studies show that MDMA or psilocybin may significantly increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy. It appears that these substances, when used as medications or part of PTSD treatment, make individuals more receptive to psychotherapy, thus helping rewire the brain faster.

Due to covid and various international conflicts like the Ukraine war, PTSD is on the rise in the US and globally. However, it is among the conditions that are still not treated effectively with existing drug therapy. Moreover, even if medications help, they take a long time to show results. Thus, there is a need to find medications that act fast, are effective, and are safe for managing the condition.

Researchers are testing many treatments. However, it appears that MDMA (“ecstasy”) and psilocybin (“magic mushroom”) are now among the most promising remedies. These remedies appear to act fast and are especially good for managing PTSD when combined with psychotherapy. A recent study regarding their promising role in PTSD management has been published in the journal European Neuropsychopharmacology. 

These therapies are not to replace psychotherapy. Instead, they work better when combined with them. Psychological counseling remains the most effective and safe way to manage PTSD. However, combining it with MDMA or psilocybin may result in significantly better results.

It appears that due to some inherent qualities, some people are prone to PTSD. Those affected by the condition develop severe issues like nightmares, intrusive thoughts, mood swings, avoidance, and various other physical and emotional reactions. In addition, they sometimes find it difficult to control these physical and emotional responses, causing significant disability. 

Researchers say psychotherapy remains the treatment of choice, as it is the only way to rewire their brains. However, psychotherapy is a prolonged and often quite expensive process. In addition, it means that using it on a massive scale is quite challenging. 

Of course, there are many other drugs in development. However, researchers say that MDMA and psilocybin are among the most promising agents. Here it is vital to understand that these drugs mainly work by increasing the action of psychotherapy and not due to their hallucinogenic properties. They may help individuals become more receptive to psychological instructions. In addition, they ensure better and faster brain rewiring. 

Researchers have already done 4 larger clinical studies. In all the studies, they found that combining psychotherapy with psychedelics was better than psychotherapy alone1.

Of course, “ecstasy” and “magic mushroom” are still the substance of abuse. Thus, their use in medicine is not legal. However, now things are changing fast, as regulatory agencies realize their benefits in PTSD. Hence, it is expected that MDMA may get approval for managing PTSD in a couple of years.

Clinicians are very excited about the perspectives of MDMA approval for clinical use, as they think that it will revolutionize PTSD treatment. Not only that, but it will also open doors for testing these therapeutic approaches in other mental health conditions. For example, there is already sound evidence that psychedelics are quite good for managing depression when used along with psychotherapy.

If approved, doctors will have a potent tool in their hands to rewire patients’ brains. 

Moreover, it is worth understanding that MDMA was created by a pharmaceutical company a long time ago. However, when it was created, doctors tested it for other health conditions, in which MDMA did not work well. 

Additionally, it appears that doctors and regulatory agencies are now changing their attitudes toward MDMA. Though its uncontrolled use may pose a health risk, when used under medical supervision or in the clinics, it is a highly safe way to manage various mental health issues.

Summary: Fibromyalgia is a common chronic disorder causing body aches, fatigue, tenderness in various body parts, depression, sleep disorders, and more. The condition is caused by certain changes in the brain that remain poorly understood by science. Doctors treat fibromyalgia using painkillers, antidepressants, and other medications, but the treatment is far from satisfactory. However, new studies suggest that psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD may help in chronic pain treatment, as they can help reset the brain, providing long-term relief in the condition.

Fibromyalgia is among the most complex disorders to diagnose and treat. Fibromyalgia causes widespread body aches. There are multiple areas of high pain sensitivity. Not only that, but it also causes fatigue, sleep disorders, depression, and more.

However, the condition is still poorly understood by science. That is why it remains a diagnosis of exclusion. Before confirming the diagnosis, doctors would generally exclude other well-known chronic health disorders causing similar symptoms like body aches and fatigue. Its diagnosis is mainly clinical, and there are no reliable biomarkers to confirm it. Nevertheless, it is among the common causes of chronic pain. What is worrisome is that its incidence is increasing.

There is no single drug therapy that would work for all. Thus, doctors would prescribe non-inflammatory drugs and anti-seizure medications, like gabapentin, and antidepressants, to treat the condition. However, the benefit from most of these drugs is far from satisfactory, and the risk of side effects from such treatments is high. Thus, there is a need to find safe medications to treat the condition.

In recent years, doctors have understood that fibromyalgia is caused by some brain changes causing hyperalgesia and fatigue. Thus, body tenderness in the condition is rather due to changes in the brain and not due to some local inflammation. Hence, it is vital to explore drug therapies that may help alter the brain’s working. Psychedelics are known to help reset the brain and provide prolonged benefits for many brain disorders. However, psychedelic therapy still remains largely experimental in various health disorders.

Now, one of the pharma startups has decided to explore the role of psychedelics in managing fibromyalgia. A California-based company called Tryp Therapeutics has partnered with the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center at the University of Michigan Medical School for a phase 2 study regarding the use of psilocybin to treat fibromyalgia.

There are many reasons to consider psilocybin. It is the psychoactive compound found in “magic mushrooms” and is known to be relatively safe. Thus, researchers do not need to spend years generating pre-clinical data, and they also do not need to start with a phase 1 study, which mainly focuses on the safety of the compound and its humans. It is because there is already sufficient information about psilocybin, and its safety in humans is established to a degree. It has the potential of becoming the best treatment for fibromyalgia.

Of course, phase 2 studies are also about safety, but they are more extensive than phase 1 studies. Moreover, they also focus on efficacy at a safe time. Thus, the possibility of starting from the phase 2 study means much savings in both financial terms and timelines.

The company will test synthetic psilocybin. Early studies suggest that psilocybin can alter neuroplasticity, alter many neural networks, and cause long-term changes in brain function. Hence, it is likely that it may help reduce hyperalgesia of central origin often found in those with fibromyalgia.

Everyone is very excited about the study, as its success may change how fibromyalgia is managed and may even affect how chronic pain treatment, opioid addiction treatment and depression management is carried out. But, of course, these are still early days, as the company is still only getting ready to file for phase 2 trials. Such a trial needs to enroll a few hundred people. However, for the US FDA to approve the drug for medical use, there would be a need for a phase 3 trial, which is much more extensive.

So, sure, there is still a way to go. Nevertheless, the news is exciting, as pharma companies have started looking beyond traditional painkillers or antidepressants to manage such conditions. Moreover, there is limited evidence that antidepressants work for fibromyalgia.

Even more interesting is that other pharma companies have also started exploring the role of psychedelics in managing fibromyalgia. Thus, another company, Mind Medicine, has announced that they are beginning their investigation regarding the use of LSD to treat chronic pain syndrome and get cluster headache relief.

To date, LSD and psilocybin are classified as Schedule 1 controlled substances; hence, they are not approved for any medical use. However, these studies may change all that.

Summary: Heave drinking, binge drinking, and AUD are significant social and health problems. Many people struggle to say no to alcohol despite realizing the ill effects of heavy drinking. Psychotherapy is one of the effective and safe ways to manage the condition, as it helps rewire the brain and alter the thinking pattern. Now a new study shows that using psilocybin along with psychotherapy may have much higher benefits. After such a treatment, people are almost twice more likely to abstain from alcohol and report a significant decline in cravings.

Alcohol is widely consumed in the US. About 80% of all adults drink alcohol now and then, and some of them consume it quite frequently. However, some people start engaging in excessive alcohol consumption, which is harmful to health.

According to the CDC, binge drinking is having four or more drinks on a single occasion. And heavy drinking means having eight or more drinks.

Excessive and irresponsible alcohol use is a significant problem in the US. Moreover, this problem is quite common in young adults. It is among the leading cause of death in young adults. AUD causes 140,000 deaths each year, and it also causes significant disability and economic harm.

Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound from magic mushrooms widely used for its trippy effect. It causes hallucinations. Yes, it remains a controversial compound for clinical use. It is still a substance of abuse, and FDA does not allow its clinical use. However, FDA allows its use for clinical studies.

Researchers have been experimenting with psychedelics for more than half a century to treat various mental health issues.

However, they have recently discovered how to use these agents safely and effectively. They understood that these agents are only suitable for use under medical supervision and for the short term. They work at lower dosages and are more effective when combined with psychotherapy.

When combined the psychotherapy, they help rewire the brain quickly. Their effect is unlike other medical drugs that take a long time to start acting and have a short-lasting action. Instead, psychedelics work fast and may provide long-lasting relief due to improved brain rewiring. They are especially good for managing mood disorders like depression.

However, now a new study confirms that they can be pretty good for managing substance abuse disorders like AUD.

In a new study published in the journal JAMA, researchers compared the effectiveness of psilocybin with diphenhydramine, a kind of antihistamine with a sedative effect and known to lower cravings. The study found that when combined with psychotherapy, psilocybin is much better and has a long-lasting effect.

Researchers say that what has amazed them is the persistent effect of psilocybin. Though the study was small and had a sample size of only 100, the findings were quite surprising. They found that psilocybin was almost twice more effective compared to diphenhydramine.

In the study, researchers divided participants into two equal groups. Both groups received 12 psychotherapy sessions over 12 weeks. However, one group received two dosages of psilocybin and the other group, diphenhydramine, as a placebo. They tracked the patients for six months.

At the end of the study, they found that just by adding two doses of psilocybin, the effect of psychotherapy increased considerably. Thus, after six months, about 10% still reported drinking heavily. However, these numbers were almost 25% in the diphenhydramine group.

What is impressive is that in the psilocybin group, twice as many participants stopped drinking altogether, 48% vs. 24%. They said that they had reduced cravings for alcohol after a psilocybin treatment. Those who stopped drinking said they did not consider themselves alcoholics anymore.

Researchers then went further and offered a third dose of psilocybin to study participants at the end of the six-month study. They said that after this dosage, many more reported benefits.
Researchers say they are very encouraged by their findings, and study results surpass their expectations. Moreover, psilocybin did not cause any side effects, and yet it had a prolonged benefit.
Researchers say that they are now planning more extensive study. They are planning a 3-year study with more than 200 participants. And they also plan to have participants from diverse backgrounds. Nevertheless, researchers think that psilocybin appears to be a real breakthrough in managing AUD.

Summary: Humans have been using magic mushrooms for religious rituals and as a substance of abuse. However, science discovered unique benefits in mental health, including opioid addiction treatment. Psilocybin, the substance responsible for mind-altering effects, may provide fast and prolonged relief for mental health disorders. It’s expected that pharmaceutical companies may soon introduce magic mushroom pills. Mushrooms have been used traditionally to manage various health conditions, even by ancient Egyptians.

Mushrooms are fungi that have existed for billions of years. They are pretty diverse, some toxic, others nutritious, and some superfoods. People have also used mushrooms traditionally to manage various health conditions. However, some mushrooms are unique, like magic mushrooms. In Mesoamerica, people used it for divine experiences, healing, and religious rituals. There is evidence that even ancient Egyptians used these mushrooms and considered them as “foods of gods.”

There is a reason why people used magic mushrooms in religion for divine experiences. Science now knows that these mushrooms have a hallucinogenic effect. Those who use it experience a unique kind of effect. Some describe its effects as one of the most amazing experiences. Of course, these hallucinogenic or psychedelic mushrooms have now become a substance of abuse. However, science also knows that these unique mind-altering effects are due to a substance called psilocybin.

Though magic mushroom has long been a substance of abuse, things have been fast changing. In recent times, it has been increasingly used in clinical studies. There are now numerous clinical trials showing that magic mushrooms may help manage mental health disorders. Unlike existing drugs that take days to start acting and only help in a small number of cases, magic mushrooms, when used with psychotherapy, may help fast. In addition, these mushrooms may help rewire the brain and thus cure many health disorders like depression, anxiety, bipolar and many others.

Pharmaceutical companies first started exploring magic mushrooms in the 1950s and 60s, when they realized their magical or psychedelic effect was mainly due to a chemical compound called psilocybin. In fact, a drug of abuse, LSD, which closely resembles psilocybin, was first created by Swiss pharma company Sandoz in 1963. Though the pharmaceutical industry could create synthetic psilocybin more than half a century back, until recently, doctors could not find any use for psychedelics in clinics. However, now evidence is mounting that psychedelics are amazingly good for managing mental health issues.

Of course, some are also critical about using psychedelics for managing mental health disorders, as there are worries that it may increase misuse of these substances. Additionally, there are worries that such medications are going to be quite expensive. Since psychedelics are readily produced cheaply, many wonder why medications using these substances might be so expensive. A few grams of magic mushroom would barely cost $10, so why are those synthetic psychedelics expected to cost several thousand US dollars?

There are many reasons why medications based on these substances would be expensive. Firstly, such medications would be safer due to their much higher purity and absence of harmful impurities. Secondly, testing drugs in clinics costs. Costs of clinical studies run in hundreds of millions. Further, massive costs are involved in getting FDA approvals. Of course, some may wonder why not simply use magic mushrooms, then. Well, that is not possible, as doctors cannot rely on magic mushrooms for treating health conditions. They need to know the exact dose they are giving to their patients. However, the potency of magic mushrooms varies significantly.

Therefore, if we want to see broader use of magic mushrooms in clinics, they must become available in pills. This is precisely what is expected to happen in the coming years. There are high chances that magic mushroom pills will become available as prescription drugs for managing mental health disorders.

Summary: Chronic groin pain is a significant issue in those who have undergone surgery for an inguinal hernia. This often leads to patients blaming the mesh companies. It also causes prolonged distress and trauma to the patients. However, doctors often fail to treat such pains. Studies suggest that in many such instances, pain is due to some other underlying cause like low back pain or trauma, and only in small cases is it secondary to surgical intervention. Thus, doctors recommend careful history taking to identify the cause of this pain and suggest various treatments like Suboxone treatment. Additionally, experts also recommend exploring nontraditional treatments for chronic pain, like psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

 

In the annual meeting of the American Hernia Society, 2021, Doctor Brian P. Jacob discussed the significance of understanding chronic groin pain and finding its solution using innovative treatment methods.

 

Groin pain is a pretty common complaint among those living with inguinal hernia. Quite often, this hernia is treated using mesh repair. It is a relatively simple surgical procedure that provides instant relief in 70% of cases. However, experience shows that one-third of patients continue to experience pain. Quite often, they blame mesh for their continued pain, and doctors fail to understand the cause of such pain.

 

Dr. Jacob has multiple recommendations for surgeons and pain clinics for managing such pain. He also underlined the importance of understanding this pain. Since this continued pain after surgery is a source of significant distress. It makes patients quite angry, and they also go on blaming the mesh companies for their pain. Not only that, untreated patients undergo significant trauma, resulting in PTSD.

 

Surgeons must identify the cause of chronic pain

Dr. Jacob says that there are two sources of these chronic pain in those who had hernia surgery. The first and often overlooked cause of this chronic pain is some pre-existing condition in the patient, like a back issue or some other trauma. Unfortunately, doctors often fail to notice or identify these causes, and the patient continues to associate this pain with the surgery.

 

The second reason for such chronic pains is naturally the surgery itself, which means unintentional fault. Unfortunately, however, surgeons are often hesitant to accept that something has occurred due to the surgical procedure, and this negation only adds to the patient’s frustration.

 

There cannot be more frustrating for the patient than doctors failing to recognize the cause of pain. Thus, such patients have to tolerate this continuous chronic pain, and at the same time, they undergo severe emotional trauma. Worst in this situation is the fact that these patients largely remain untreated.

 

Thus, Dr. Jacob recommends that doctors accept that their patient is going through severe and chronic pain and focus on finding the solution. It is true that identifying the cause of such chronic pain is challenging. Nevertheless, they need to treat such patients. He particularly recommends focusing on alternative therapies

Alternative therapy for chronic groin pain

Dr. Jacob advocates exploring alternative treatments for chronic pain. This does not essentially mean supplements. It also means exploring uncommon approaches to pain management. The traditional way of pain management appears to mask the pain origins and provide temporary relief.

 

Unlike traditional painkillers or opioids, doctors must explore non-pharmacological therapies like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, pilates, and even psychotherapy. Dr. Jacob is also a proponent of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

 

When it comes to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, this therapy mainly uses ketamine these days. Ketamine is proven to work, safe, and supported by many clinical studies. The results of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy are pretty promising.

 

However, Dr. Jacobs also favors exploring other ways of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Among the other agents, psilocybin and MDMA are pretty promising. These medicines have excellent safety profiles and maybe even better than ketamine. Moreover, these therapies not only treat pain but also help overcome anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other severe mental health issues.

 

In short, Dr. Jacob strongly recommends taking a thorough history of patients with groin pains. The doctor should not assume that this pain is only due to an inguinal hernia. In many cases, other unidentified causes of groin pain remain undiagnosed. Additionally, in some cases, the cause of chronic pain could be a surgical procedure. In all these conditions, doctors must understand the patient’s pain and focus on treating chronic pain using various methods.