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Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington. / Vita. Bibliography: L. [103]-105.

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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2006. / Includes bibliography.

Mental illnesses, especially depression, are a global problem that require new treatment options to those whose symptoms are resistant to the current ones. Psilocybin, which is a naturally occurring drug in mushrooms, has become a potential candidate. It affects the brain by deactivating certain areas, causing not only changes in perception and consciousness but antidepressive responses as well, thereby improving well-being. Previous studies have looked at psilocybin and how it affects the brain, and also shown that short trials with psilocybin can cause long-lasting improvement. Here, I conducted an analysis including nine experimental articles that had studied psilocybin’s effects on depressive symptoms. Results confirm that psilocybin does decrease depressive symptoms, even long-lastingly, while only transient mild side effects being fairly common. Some conclusions could also be drawn of which types of patients will benefit of psilocybin treatment most likely. Future research with bigger sample sizes is needed, as well as more focus on identifying the ideal settings and patients of psilocybin-assisted therapy. / Mental ohälsa och särskilt depression är globala problem. Nya behandlingsalternativ behövs för de som inte får hjälp av nuvarande behandlingar. Psilocybin är ett ämne som finns i så kallade magiska svampar och har blivit en potentiell kandidat. Psilocybin påverkar hjärnan genom att inaktivera vissa delar, vilket leder till förändringar i perception, medvetandet och antidepressiva responser bland annat. Tidigare forskning har fokuserat på hur psilocybin påverkar hjärnan samt visat att även kortvarig behandling med psilocybin kan framkalla en långvarig förbättring av hur man mår. Denna analys inkluderar nio experiementella studier om psilocybins effekter på depressiva symtom. Resultatet visar att psilocybin minskar depressiva symptom, även långvarigt. Endast kortvariga milda bieffekter var rapporterade. Framtida forskning bör ha ett större antal av deltagare samt fokusera på att identifiera idealgruppen för denna typ av behandling.

The psychedelic psilocybin and the entactogen 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) are being scientifically studied again after a long hiatus, and especially for their potential in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Their profound effect on cognitive, perceptual, and affective processes have led to several clinical studies during the last decade that have forced the reconsideration of the utility of these substances. The research includes clinical trials with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for depressive and anxiety symptoms, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results have shown a significant reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, and in PTSD symptoms in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, with acceptable adverse effects. Moreover, the reductions in symptoms have been shown to be sustained several years later. Given the results indicate short- and long-term safety and efficacy, even for treatment resistant conditions, this suggest that these substances administered with psychotherapy are promising and deserve to be taken seriously as a therapeutic tool. The present thesis provides an overview of the latest clinical studies on the treatment of depression, anxiety, and PTSD with psilocybin and MDMA, respectively, as well as reviews the history, mechanisms of action, the therapeutic process used with psilocybin and MDMA, and any adverse physiological and psychological effects of both substances.

The goal of this work was to determine the contents of two main alkaloid types of Psilocybe species occurring in the Czech Republic. Correct identification of species was checked by mycology specialist. Qualitative and quantitative determination of substances contained in three collected species of the genus Psilocybe was carried out by LC-MSn (LIT). Samples were mainly collected in the north and northeast Bohemia. Three species of Psilocybe were found. The most found species were P. serbica var. bohemica then P. semilanceata and only one deposit of P. serbica var. arcana. Total of 35 deposits within eighteen locations. From qualitative point of view, the two main alkaloids were confirmed in all samples. Quantitative results for content of psilocin and psilocybin (in this order) are: P. bohemica 0,005 - 0,152 %, 0,000 - 0,048 %; P. semilanceata 0,087 - 0,337 %, 0,000 - 0,005 %; P. arcana 0,018 - 0,031 %, 0,003 - 0,022 %. Results in all locations are similar and rather dependent on the fungi type. Our results are based on dry mass. This work brought fundamental knowledge for future optimisation of analytical methods and assumptions for the project extension of other locations and determination of content of minority substances alongside the content of majority substances.

Aberrations in brain serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission have been implicated in psychiatric disorders including anxiety, depression and deficits in learning and memory. Many of these disorders are treated with drugs which promote the availability of 5-HT in the synapse. Selective serotonin uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are known to stimulate the production of new neurons in the hippocampus (HPC) by increasing synaptic concentration of serotonin (5-HT). However, it is not clear which of the 5-HT receptors are involved in behavioral improvements and enhanced neurogenesis. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of 5HT2A agonists psilocybin and 251-NBMeO and the 5HT2A/C antagonist ketanserin on neurogenesis and hippocampal-dependent learning. Agonists and an antagonist to the 5-HT2A receptor produced alterations in hippocampal neurogenesis and trace fear conditioning. Future studies should examine the temporal effects of acute and chronic psilocybin administration on hippocampal-dependent learning and neurogenesis.

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Charles University Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of pharmaceutical botany and ecology Candidate: Bc. Andrea Gunčagová Supervisor: prof. RNDr. Luděk Jahodář, CSc. Title of diploma thesis: The analysis of Psilocybe constituents II. The aim of this thesis was to analyse Psilocybe constituents, to plot the places of occurence of chosen Psilocybe brands and also to determinate their water content. The thesis deals with 22 samples that originate in 10 habitats in Slovakia and Moravian- Silesian region. Accuracy of brand specification was supervised by a member of mycological society. Psilocybe serbica var. bohemica was identified in 2, whereas Psilocybe semilanceata in 8 habitats. The average content of H20 in samples was 87,07 % ± 10,91 %. All of the samples were analysed by LC-MS/MS (LIT) method. The qualitative analysis of determinated substances showed the presence of psilocine (PSC) and psilocybine (PSB) in all samples. The results of quantitative analysis (expressed in percentage of dry matter) are similar in particular habitats, but there is a significant difference between two specific brands of Psilocybe mushrooms. The content of determinated alkaloids in P. bohemica was: PSC 0,001-0,011 % a PSB 0,01-0,07%. P. semilanceata contained 0,0005 - 0,011 % PSC a 0,074 - 0,763% PSB....