Knowledge Synthesis in the Science of Psilocybin: Scoping Reviews of Clinical and Preclinical Research
Loading...
Authors
Shore, Ronald
Date
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
psilocybin , psychedelics , psychedelic-assisted therapy , knowledge synthesis , scoping review
Alternative Title
Abstract
Psilocybin is a psychedelic compound of interest to clinicians, researchers and the general public for its unique effects on perception, cognition and emotion. Fifteen years of clinical trials, reviewed here using the scoping review method of knowledge synthesis , provide evidence for the safety and therapeutic efficacy of psilocybin when combined with psychological supports. A similar review of more than 50 years of research on non-human animals shows the safety of psilocybin and demonstrates persisting positive effects of psilocybin on self-regulation. To provide context to these scoping reviews, I conducted a detailed literature review and a separate narrative review on the neuroscience of psilocybin, with a marked interest in the dynamics of neuroplasticity and how habits of self-regulation are formed, revised and updated. While my working hypothesis considered mystical states as the mechanism of therapeutic action underlying psilocybin’s apparent benefits, the evidence was stronger to support a revised hypothesis: that psilocybin improves self-regulation. It does so by disrupting habit, potentiating new learning and promoting improvements to health behaviours. I offer here a novel contribution to the literature: a time-based Transition State Model of Psychedelic Effect which views psilocybin as a catalyst to improved flexibility of thought and behaviour. Psilocybin appears to attenuate or loosen the effects of past conditioning which appear as habits and which have become hard-wired into brain networks. This learning model heavily weights the activities undertaken in the days and weeks following psilocybin administration, providing a basis for psilocybin-assisted therapies to leverage this critical period for improvements to health behaviours.
Description
Citation
Publisher
License
Queen's University's Thesis/Dissertation Non-Exclusive License for Deposit to QSpace and Library and Archives Canada
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.