Articles archivos

Music in psychedelic-assisted therapy

Music has played a central role in psychedelic practices for centuries and is now recognized as a key therapeutic component in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Research shows that psychedelics heighten emotional responsiveness to music, transforming it into an active guide for inner exploration. Carefully selected music can evoke deep emotions, access unconscious material, and support transformative or mystical experiences. By amplifying emotional processing and reducing psychological defenses, music helps patients surrender to the experience, facilitating insight, emotional release, and therapeutic change that is difficult to reach through verbal therapy alone.

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Òscar Parés Franquero 18 November 2024

Ketamine for chronic neuropathic pain

Chronic neuropathic pain is often severe, persistent, and poorly responsive to conventional treatments such as anti-inflammatories or opioids. Ketamine has emerged as a promising option by modulating NMDA receptors involved in pain perception and memory. Clinical studies show that ketamine can significantly reduce pain for weeks, particularly in complex neuropathic conditions. Beyond analgesia, ketamine may also improve comorbid depression and PTSD, which frequently accompany chronic pain. When combined with psychotherapy, ketamine offers an integrative approach addressing both physical suffering and psychological distress.

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Marta Martín Islas 11 November 2024

Fear, trauma and MDMA

Fear is a fundamental emotion that protects us, but when it becomes chronic it can lead to disorders such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Conventional treatments often show limited efficacy, prompting new approaches like MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Research promoted by Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and led by figures such as Rick Doblin suggests that MDMA can reduce fear responses, enhance emotional processing, and strengthen the therapeutic alliance. These effects may allow patients to revisit traumatic memories with less avoidance, fostering recovery and improved quality of life.

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Òscar Parés Franquero 4 September 2024

Depression symptoms

Depression, or major depressive disorder, is a common and complex condition marked by persistent low mood, loss of interest, cognitive difficulties and physical symptoms. Diagnosis is usually based on manuals such as the DSM-5 by the American Psychiatric Association and the ICD by the World Health Organization, yet many people suffer without fitting rigid criteria. The text explores symptoms, stigma, limits of diagnostic labels and the need for a more holistic, humane approach to mental health care.

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Òscar Parés Franquero 15 July 2024

Chronic pain: a debilitating affliction

Chronic pain is a complex condition lasting more than three months that affects millions of people and severely impacts quality of life. It includes multiple forms such as neuropathic, musculoskeletal, cancer-related and post-surgical pain, often without a clearly identifiable cause. Conventional treatments like anti-inflammatories and opioids show limited efficacy or significant risks. Growing evidence supports ketamine as a safe and effective option, offering sustained pain reduction and enabling multidisciplinary approaches that combine medical, psychological and rehabilitative interventions for long-term functional improvement.

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Òscar Parés Franquero 17 May 2024

Treatment-Resistant Depression: When Nothing Else Works

Treatment-resistant depression occurs when major depressive disorder does not respond to at least two adequate treatments, leading to prolonged suffering and functional impairment. Many patients fail to achieve full remission, despite multiple medication trials, increasing the risk of chronicity and hospitalization. Recent clinical evidence shows ketamine can produce rapid and meaningful symptom reduction in this population, including decreases in suicidal ideation and anxiety. Ongoing and maintenance ketamine sessions may further improve outcomes, offering new hope for patients who have not benefited from conventional antidepressant therapies

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Marta Martín Islas 29 April 2024

Ketamine for suicide prevention

Suicidal ideation represents a major public health concern and requires rapid, effective intervention. Conventional treatments such as antidepressants and psychotherapy often act too slowly for high-risk patients. Recent clinical evidence shows that ketamine can significantly reduce suicidal ideation within hours or days, particularly in individuals with bipolar disorder. Randomized controlled studies demonstrate higher remission rates compared to placebo, without worsening symptoms. Although further long-term research is needed, ketamine emerges as a valuable tool for suicide prevention in acute and high-risk clinical situations.

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Òscar Parés Franquero 22 April 2024

Ketamine in therapy: how does it work?

From its synthesis in 1962 to its current use in mental health, discover how ketamine acts on NMDA receptors, glutamate, and BDNF to support neuroplasticity and relieve depressive symptoms.

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Marta Martín Islas 15 April 2024

Addiction in our society

Addiction is a complex condition influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors, often associated with high relapse rates despite available treatments. Research shows that ketamine may offer a novel therapeutic approach by enhancing neuroplasticity, increasing BDNF expression, and reducing comorbid symptoms such as depression and anxiety. Evidence suggests ketamine-assisted interventions can increase periods of abstinence in alcohol and other substance addictions, facilitate psychological therapies, and promote cognitive flexibility. Although results are promising, further research is needed to define protocols, long-term outcomes, and appropriate clinical indications.

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Marta Martín Islas 1 April 2024

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for post traumatic stress disorder

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves intrusive memories, hyperarousal, dissociation, avoidance, and high comorbidity with depression, anxiety, and substance use. Standard treatments combine psychotherapy and antidepressants, yet remission rates remain low. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is emerging as a promising adjunct, targeting glutamatergic dysfunction, enhancing neural connectivity, and enabling therapeutic processing of traumatic memories from altered states of consciousness. Clinical studies show rapid symptom reduction after ketamine infusions, though effects may be transient and protocols require optimization. Careful screening is essential, as recent trauma may represent a contraindication.

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José Carlos Bouso 8 March 2024

Ketamine and depression: the first days of treatment

Depression is a complex disorder affecting mood, cognition, and physical health, and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Standard treatment combines antidepressant medication and psychotherapy, yet around one third of patients do not respond adequately. This has driven interest in alternatives such as ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic with rapid antidepressant effects. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show symptom improvement within hours and remission in some patients. Ketamine is generally well tolerated and most effective when combined with psychotherapeutic support and careful medical supervision.

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Marta Martín Islas 1 March 2024

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