Spotlight: Is there consciousness beyond the brain? (Goff, 2025)
More:
The Consciousness Issue: The Mystery of Being YouBig Think’s latest special issue journeys to the edges of science
Michael DeMarco, PhD
remote life coaching
Michael DeMarco, PhD offers life coaching and consultation for psychedelic therapy and research.
psychedelic research
Spotlight: Deconstructing the trip treatment: are hallucinogenic effects critical to the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics? (Garcia-Romeu, 2025)
The relative contribution of drug vs. psychological support remains to be determined, though preliminary data indicate the therapeutic relationship can impact treatment outcomes [12], and factors such as environment, personality, and mindset can influence subjective drug effects.
ketamine
Spotlight: A retrospective analysis of ketamine intravenous therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in real-world care settings (McInnes, et al, 2025)
"In a large real-world sample of 8,136 PTSD patients (87 % with comorbid depression), Ketamine Intravenous Therapy (KIT) significantly reduced PTSD and depression symptoms."
Spotlight: Endocannabinoids, depression, and treatment resistance: Perspectives on effective therapeutic interventions (Rosa, et al, 2025)
"Ketamine and esketamine modulate CB1 receptors and other ECS targets, contributing to their rapid effects. Psilocybin restores 2-AG and enhances CB1 expression in mood-related brain regions, while LSD affects the broader endocannabinoidome in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus."
cbt
Spotlight: A Conversation About Black Mental Health and How CBT Can Be a Powerful Tool for Healing (2024)
"A growing body of research documents the effectiveness of CBT for racially diverse populations, including Black Americans."
ai therapist
Spotlight: AI Therapist Chatbots
An ineffective, dangerous replacement for human mental health support
ketamine
Spotlight: The association between amygdalar volume changes and depressive symptom improvements after repeated ketamine infusion in treatment-resistant depression (2025)
"The reductions in right LB volumes correlate with better clinical responses to ketamine in patients with TRD, suggesting ketamine may exert its effect by attenuating amygdalar overactivity in this population."
ketamine
Spotlight: Real world effectiveness of maintenance ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression in major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder (Haikazian, et al, 2025)
"Ketamine was determined to be relatively safe, with zero cases of suicidal behaviour and addiction behaviour throughout treatment."
sex therapy
Spotlight: 7 Most Common Sexual Fantasies
from the book "Tell Me What You Want"
Spotlight: Exploring DMT: Endogenous role and therapeutic potential (Schimmelpfennig, et al, 2025)
"N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring amine and psychedelic compound, found in plants, animals, and humans. "
ketamine
Spotlight "Prefrontal contribution to passive coping behaviour in chronic stress and treatment by fast-acting antidepressant" (Fong, et al, 2025)
"Persistent passive coping (p-coping) behaviour is a hallmark feature in major depression and is reversed by fast-acting antidepressants (such as ketamine)."
Spotlight: "Ketamine may treat depression by 'flattening the brain's hierarchies,' small study suggests (2025)
"The finding of increased synaptic density in the DMN suggests ketamine isn't just creating new synapses — it's fundamentally reorganizing how brain networks communicate."
Spotlight: Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Emerging Treatment for Trauma and Depression ( Espí Forcén et al, 2025)
"While more research is needed to fully characterize the safety profile, current data support a relatively benign adverse effect profile with good tolerability when administered responsibly and in accordance with clinical standards to individuals without known contraindications."
Spotlight: Ketamine Plus Therapy Offers Lasting Relief for Severe Depression
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial shows that ketamine treatment for severe, treatment-resistant depression is significantly more effective when paired with psychotherapy and supportive environments. Patients who underwent combined treatment reported a 30% drop in symptoms lasting at least 8 weeks
ketamine
Spotlight: Ketamine as an Adjunct Therapy for Refractory Cancer Pain: A Case Report (Emshoff, et al, 2025)
"While traditionally recognized for its anesthetic and dissociative effects, low-dose, subanesthetic ketamine can be useful in palliative care to manage severe, intractable pain."
Spotlight: NPR-- Can Psychedelics Go Mainstream
"Research shows that psychedelics can help with a range of mental health conditions, like PTSD and depression. "
Spotlight: "How Psychedelics Unlock Neuroplasticity for Healing"
"psychedelics open the brain to new patterns"
Spotlight: PBS Film-- The Last Ecstatic Days
A film about a young man with brain cancer in search of community, and the hospice doctor who gives up everything to honor his dying wish.
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