Latest Research

Fernando Espi Forcen, Psychiatric Annals

Hispanic, Latinx people practice spirituality in a wide array of forms. Whereas Catholicism has been the dominant religion for centuries, a re-birth of Native American, African spirituality has taken place over the last few decades. In parallel, the influence of the United States in the Latin world is reflected in the rapidly growing popularity of Evangelical Christianity. In order to better understand, study spiritual practices in Latin America, one must understand the historical vicissitudes that led to the formation of these religions, the context in which they became ingrained in these territories.

Jeffrey Breau and Paul Gillis-Smith, Interdisciplinary Science Reviews

The longstanding juncture between science and religion in psychedelic research is mediated most notably by the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ). The MEQ is a psychometric survey for assessing mystical experiences, and it relies on the work of philosopher Walter Stace for its typology and philosophy of mysticism. Yet there is an under-investigated influence from Vedantic Hinduism that contributed to Stace’s thinking. In an analysis of Stace’s hermeneutics of mysticism, this article demonstrates how Stace’s typology of mystical experience was created in dialogue with major figures in the field of modern, transnational Vedanta.

Mason Marks and I. Glenn Cohen, New England Journal of Medicine

Mounting clinical evidence could lead to the approval of new psychedelic medicines. The FDA’s draft guidance on psychedelics research includes several recommendations that may be contentious.

Grant Jones, Maha Al-Suwaidi, Franchesca Castro-Ramirez, Taylor C. McGuire, Patrick Mair, Matthew K. Nock; Frontiers in Psychiatry

This study investigates how race, ethnicity moderate the associations between lifetime psilocybin use, crime arrests. Using data from the National Survey on Drug Use, Health (2002–2020) with 734,061 adults, it finds that race, ethnicity significantly moderate the associations between psilocybin use, crime arrests. The study suggests that racial, ethnic identity impacts the relationship between psilocybin use, crime, highlighting the need for further research into the intersection of sociodemographic factors, psychedelic use, crime.

Kabir Nigam, Kimberly A. Curseen, Yvan Beaussant, Clinics in Geriatric Medicine

This review article discusses the potential of psychedelics, related pharmacotherapies as integrative medicine for older adults in palliative care. It explores the use of these substances in addressing existential distress, serious illness, end-of-life care, highlighting the need for further research, consideration of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) in this context.

Amy L. McGuire, Holly Fernandez Lynch, Lewis A. Grossman,, I. Glenn Cohen; Science

This article discusses the regulatory challenges faced in the development of psychedelic medicine. It highlights the growing interest, investment in psychedelic drug development, the complexities of applying traditional clinical trial, premarket approval processes to these substances. The article emphasizes the need for regulatory creativity, collaboration to maximize the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, considering their use outside the medical establishment, the limited evidence on their clinical benefits.

Albert Yeung, Guy Sapirstein, Laura D. Crain, Margaret A. Cramer, Fernando Espi Forcen, Susan Sprich, Jonah N. Cohen; The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

This article discusses a case of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in a 61-year-old patient named John, who had a long history of depression, inadequate responses to various treatments, including medications, therapy. The article explores John’s symptoms, including self-doubt, existential angst, anxiety, and the challenges he faced in managing his depression.