Psychopharmacology

Abstract Rationale Vornorexant is a novel dual orexin receptor antagonist for insomnia treatment with the shortest half-life in its class. Objective This study aimed to compare the next-morning residual effects of vornorexant and zopiclone following bedtime administration in healthy older adults. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, four-way crossover study, 1…

Abstract Rationale Opioid use disorders are marked by both drug use despite negative consequences and drug use to avoid negative physiological and psychological states. The dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) serotonin (5-HT) system modulates reward- and stress-related responses, but its role in both male and female rats remains incompletely understood. Objective To investigate the role of the DRN 5-HT sy…

Abstract Introduction The regular consumption of cannabis has been associated with changes in cognition. However it is unclear how cognitive performance changes over time with continued cannabis use and whether cognitive alterations predate the onset of cannabis use. We conducted a narrative review of longitudinal observational naturalistic studies of cognition in people who use cannabis. Methods…

Whole plants and mushrooms contain hundreds or thousands of compounds, many of which are directly bioactive and/or interact with other compounds to influence biological outcomes.The interactions among bioactive metabolites to enhance the activity of the primary active components has been termed the entourage effect (Russo 2018), although antagonistic or inhibitory actions can also occur.One of th…

As cannabis legalization and decriminalization have expanded, it is increasingly perceived as a low-risk substance. Concurrently, the potency of cannabis products and the number of young adults seeking treatment for cannabis use disorder have risen markedly. A growing body of research links early onset, frequent use, and high potency cannabis products to a range of adverse outcomes. This study ai…

Abstract Background Chronic stress is a risk factor for the development of anxiety, depression, and comorbid systemic conditions. Ayahuasca (AYA) has been used for hundreds of years and it elicits antidepressant and anxiolytic effects. However, it remains unknown whether AYA elicits a behavioral and biochemical protective effect in chronic stress. Aim of the study Therefore, we evaluated the ther…

Pain reflects an integration of sensation, cognition, and affect, whereas chronic pain is associated with maladaptation. The cerebellum is increasingly recognised as a contributor to pain, especially towards affective-motivational facets, including relief-seeking from aversive experiences. Few have specifically investigated this, and much less in females, despite the notable prevalence of chronic…