Publications by authors named "Richard J Zeifman"

Article Synopsis
  • The study explored how psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) impacts personality traits in people with alcohol use disorder (AUD), hypothesizing it would reduce trait impulsiveness and improve drinking behavior.
  • Eighty-four AUD patients were divided into two groups (psilocybin vs. placebo) and assessed for changes in personality traits over time, finding significant personality shifts in the psilocybin group, including reduced neuroticism and increased openness.
  • The results indicated that lower impulsiveness correlated with decreased alcohol consumption, particularly among those who drank at risk before treatment, pointing to potential benefits of PAT in addressing both personality and drinking behaviors.
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Several phase II studies have demonstrated that psilocybin-assisted therapy shows therapeutic potential across a spectrum of neuropsychiatric conditions, including major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the mechanisms underlying its often persisting beneficial effects remain unclear. Observational research suggests that improvements in psychological flexibility may mediate therapeutic effects.

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Background: Resurgent psychedelic research has largely supported the safety and efficacy of psychedelic therapy for the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. As psychedelic use and therapy increase in prevalence, so does the importance of understanding associated risks. Cases of prolonged negative psychological responses to psychedelic therapy seem to be rare; however, studies are limited by biases and small sample sizes.

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Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, is being increasingly researched in clinical studies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. The relatively lengthy duration of oral psilocybin's acute effects (4-6 h) may have pragmatic and cost-effectiveness limitations. Here, we explored the effects of intravenous (IV) N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a closely related, but faster-acting psychedelic intervention, on mental health outcomes in healthy volunteers.

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MDMA-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) is a combined psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic intervention that shows promise in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although therapeutic alliance has been established as a key predictor across psychotherapies and is emphasised within MDMA-AP treatment manuals, research has not yet examined the relationship between therapeutic alliance and MDMA-AP treatment outcomes. Examine whether therapeutic alliance predicts changes in PTSD symptoms following MDMA-AP.

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Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences can range from very positive to highly challenging (e.g., fear, grief, and paranoia).

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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an aggressive, terminal neurodegenerative disease that causes death of motor neurons and has an average survival time of 3-4 years. ALS is the most common motor neuron degenerative disease and is increasing in prevalence. There is a pressing need for more effective ALS treatments as available pharmacotherapies do not reverse disease progression or provide substantial clinical benefit.

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Background: Psilocybin therapy is receiving attention as a mental health intervention with transdiagnostic potential. In line with psychotherapeutic research, qualitative research has highlighted the role of reductions in experiential avoidance (and increases in connectedness) within psilocybin therapy. However, no quantitative research has examined experiential avoidance as a mechanism underlying psilocybin therapy's therapeutic effects.

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To investigate preferences for evidence-based treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the role of likely PTSD in those preferences. Undergraduate students ( = 119) and participants recruited from trauma support groups ( = 126) read descriptions of front-line recommended treatments for PTSD, including prolonged exposure therapy (PE), cognitive-processing therapy (CPT), and medication therapy (MT). Participants selected their treatment of choice and provided ratings of the credibility and their personal reactions to each treatment.

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Background: . Cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) are two prominent evidence-based treatments for social anxiety disorder (SAD). It is not clear, however, whether outcomes of these two treatments are moderated by similar factors.

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Depression, and its treatment, is a concern among college students. Research indicates decision aids (DA) improve patients' treatment knowledge, decision making, and decisional conflict; however, it is unknown whether they are helpful for disseminating depression treatment information to college students. This study evaluated a DA for depression and its impact on college students' knowledge and treatment decision making.

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Despite research supporting the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder (BPD), few studies have examined how DBT leads to clinical change. DBT is theorized to lead to improved clinical outcomes by enhancing the capacity for emotion regulation, including improvement in skills (e.g.

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