Trajectory of peripheral inflammation during index ECT in association with clinical outcomes in treatment-resistant depression.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a highly efficacious intervention for severe and intractable depression. Evidence suggests ECT provokes an initial acute inflammatory response that subsequently decreases with repeated administration. However, relationships between inflammatory changes and clinical effects are unclear.

Changes in Cannabis Use Patterns in Psychiatric Populations Pre- and Post-Legalization of Recreational Cannabis Use in Canada: A Repeated Cross-Sectional Survey.

Objective: Since the federal Canadian government legalized cannabis in 2018, cannabis use in the general population has slightly increased. However, little is known about the impact of cannabis legalization on pattens of cannabis use in psychiatric populations.

Method: We studied changes in daily/almost daily and average 30-day cannabis use amongst individuals currently using cannabis who reported past 12-month experiences of specific mental health disorders and among those without past 12-month experiences of any mental health disorder before and after Canadian legalization of recreational cannabis use ( = 13,527).

Investigating a caregiver-assisted social skills group programme for primary and early high school-aged children with acquired brain injury or cerebral palsy: protocol for a pilot mixed-methods, two-group randomised trial of PEERS Plus.

Introduction: Reaching social milestones is an important goal of childhood. Children with acquired brain injury (ABI) and cerebral palsy (CP) frequently experience challenges with social functioning and participation. The Programme for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a group-based social skills programme for adolescents.

Preferences, Perceptions, and Environmental Considerations of Natural and Synthetic Psychedelic Substances: Findings from the Global Psychedelic Survey.

Although several studies have well described the characteristics of people who use psychedelics alongside their motivations and beliefs, little research has examined the preferences surrounding the source of psychedelic substances. In an anonymous online survey, we collected data from 6,379 consumers of 11 different psychedelic substances from 85 different countries, exploring their preferences and perceptions on natural and synthetic psychedelics. There was a strong preference of natural sources over synthetic alternatives for psilocybin (75%), DMT (56%), and mescaline (56%).

The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in the Conduct Disorder Literature: A Time-Sensitive Review.

Background: Among presenting conditions in pediatric acute care settings, conduct disorder (CD) is a potentially stigmatizing yet common diagnosis in the setting of behavioral dysregulation requiring psychiatric admission. Concerns exist about over-diagnosis of CD in non-Hispanic Black children relative to White peers and the potential for the CD diagnosis to obfuscate manifestations of co-occurring psychiatric conditions.

Methods: We evaluated the number of manuscripts on CD diagnoses that report race and ethnicity and co-occurring mental health characteristics (i.

"Feeling Like You Matter:" LGBTQ + Young Adult Perspectives on Affirmative Mental Healthcare.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of LGBTQ + young people in mental healthcare and to understand their perspectives on what affirmative mental healthcare practice should look like. Between June and September of 2023, interviews were conducted with LGBTQ + young people ages 18-26 years in Los Angeles and Seattle. Interviews lasted 30 to 60 min and were transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis (N = 28).

Formative Evaluation of Post-Opera Live Discussion of the Center Cannot Hold Part 2 and Resilience Workshop.

There are few studies of impacts of arts on recovery in schizophrenia, on audience and cast responses. We developed a formative qualitative evaluation of audience and cast discussions after viewing live performances in a university setting of an opera based on Elyn Saks' journey from psychosis, teaching law and falling in love, coupled with pre-opera workshop on community approaches to resilience. Live discussions were conducted with audience, cast members, and workshop presenters after performance of the opera, with recording and transcription, and reflexive thematic qualitative analysis sequentially conducted by 3 investigators/2 event leaders).

Global Trends in Psychedelic Microdosing: Demographics, Substance Testing Behavior, and Patterns of Use.

Despite psychedelic microdosing being a growing practice, the research on the topic is still in its infancy. While several studies have described the characteristics, motivations and practices of microdosers, the differences between individuals that only microdose and those that use both micro and macrodoses of psychedelics remain unexplored. In an online survey, we collected data of 6193 psychedelic consumers of which 2488 were microdosers of up to 11 different classical and atypical psychedelics.

Co-use of psychedelics with other substances: Findings from the global psychedelic survey.

Background/aims: While most psychedelic substances are considered to carry a relatively low risk of acute or long-term harm, co-use with other psychoactive substances may increase health and social harm. Using a large international survey of adults who use psychedelics, we sought to comprehensively characterize psychedelic co-use.

Methods: We used data from the 2023 Global Psychedelic Survey, a web-based survey of adults ⩾21 with lifetime use of psychedelics.

Alcohol and cannabis co-use: Probing subjective response in eliciting cross-substance craving.

The co-use of alcohol and cannabis is rising in prevalence, yet the mechanisms driving individuals to co-use are not well understood. Subjective response to alcohol or cannabis may predict the desire to use either substance. However, which specific facets of subjective response predict cross-substance craving remains unclear.

Blunt Talk on "Blunts": The Increasingly Popular Tobacco Product That Is Potentially Exacerbating Tobacco-Related Health Disparities.

A "blunt" is a hollowed-out cigar/cigarillo from which much of the loose tobacco has been removed, and the remaining tobacco wrapper filled with cannabis. Although blunts contain significant levels of tobacco/nicotine, they are often treated as if they were exclusive cannabis products and omitted from surveys of tobacco products. Whereas the prevalence of virtually all other tobacco products is on the decline in the USA, available data suggest that the prevalence of blunt smoking is not - and in fact, it may be increasing.

Socioeconomic status, reserve capacity, and depressive symptoms predict pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis: an examination of the reserve capacity model.

Background: Guided by the reserve capacity model, we evaluated the unique relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), reserve capacity (helplessness, self-efficacy, social support), and negative emotions on pain in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Methods: The secondary analysis used baseline, cross-sectional data from 106 adults in a clinical trial comparing behavioral treatments for RA. Patients were eligible if they were ≥ 18 years old, met the ACR criteria for RA (determined by study rheumatologist), had stable disease and drug regimens for 3 months, and did not have a significant comorbid condition.

Sex differences in the transcriptional response to acute inflammatory challenge: A randomized controlled trial of endotoxin.

Background: Sex differences in immune-based disorders are well-established, with female sex associated with a markedly heightened risk of autoimmune disease. Female sex is also overrepresented in other conditions associated with elevated inflammation, including depression, chronic pain, and chronic fatigue. The mechanisms underlying these disparities are unclear.

Lifetime physical activity influences Parkinson's disease progression.

Introduction: Past studies suggested that Parkinson's disease (PD) patients who engage in physical activity (PA) after diagnosis have slower motor progression. Here, we examine the influence of lifetime PA prior to PD onset on motor, cognitive, and overall functional decline among PD patients.

Methods: For 495 participants in the Parkinson's Environment and Gene (PEG) studies, we collected PA-related measures through interviews and quantified these using metabolic equivalents (MET) scores.

Co-occurring autism, ADHD, and gender dysphoria in children, adolescents, and young adults with eating disorders: an examination of pre- vs. post-COVID pandemic outbreak trends with real-time electronic health record data.

Background: Incidence rates of autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and gender dysphoria (GD) are rising not only in the general population, but particularly among children, adolescents, and young adults with eating disorders (EDs). While ED rates have risen during the COVID pandemic, trends in co-occurring autism, ADHD, and GD have yet to be investigated in detail or at scale by way of large electronic medical record data.

Objectives: To investigate trends in rates of co-occurring autism, ADHD, and GD among children, adolescents, and young adults with EDs in years prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Disturbance at the self-other boundary in schizophrenia: Linking phenomenology to clinical neuroscience.

In this selective review, we describe the current neuroscientific literature on disturbances of the self-other boundary in schizophrenia as they relate to structural and experiential aspects of the self. Within these two broad categories, the structural self includes body ownership and agency, and the experiential self includes self-reflection, source monitoring, and self-referential and autobiographical memory. Further, we consider how disturbances in these domains link to the phenomenology of schizophrenia.

Policy, Design, and Critical Reflections on Behavioral Health Crisis Services for People Experiencing Homelessness.

People experiencing homelessness in crisis have unique structural vulnerabilities and social needs, most importantly lack of housing. Ideal crisis services for people experiencing homelessness must safeguard against criminalization and displacement during periods of crisis, prioritize equity, and provide housing interventions alongside mental health treatment at every stage in the crisis continuum. By outlining how to tailor crisis system financing and accountability, service component and capacity, and clinical best practices, the authors aim to provide hope and guidance for communities aiming to create an ideal crisis system for people experiencing homelessness.

Acute effects of cannabigerol on anxiety, stress, and mood: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, field trial.

Cannabigerol (CBG) is a phytocannabinoid increasing in popularity, with preclinical research indicating it has anxiolytic and antidepressant effects. However, there are no published clinical trials to corroborate these findings in humans. The primary objective of this study was to examine acute effects of CBG on anxiety, stress, and mood.

Reimagining Social and Emotional Supports in Schools for Immigrant Students: A Contextual and Structural Approach.

Immigrant students and families experience disproportionate exposure to trauma, immigration-related stress, structural inequities, and poor access to mental health and social services which can lead to mental health inequities. Immigrant students and their families also have many strengths that can buffer potential negative mental health outcomes. Schools, which address social and emotional development in addition to academic achievement, are critical institutions that can play a unique role in enhancing the strengths and responding to the needs of immigrant students and families.