Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience

Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the "Exploring the Potential of Psychedelics: Unveiling Novel Insights, Therapeutic Applications, and Consciousness Expansion" Article Collection, a pioneering exploration at the crossroads of clinical neuropsychiatry and neuroscience. Within the pages of Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, this collection serves as a dynamic platform for the convergence of clinical, biological, and therapeutic perspectives on the enigmatic world of psychedelic substances. Psychedelics, celebrated for their mind-altering properties, offer a unique lens through which we can unravel the intricate connections between brain function, mental health, and ground-breaking therapeutic innovations.

In a world where depression ranks among the leading causes of disability, and crises of suicide and drug overdoses claim an unprecedented number of lives each year, the need for innovative approaches to treating mental illnesses, including substance use disorders, is imperative. While established pharmacologic treatments like antidepressants and medications for opioid use disorder have proven valuable for many, a significant proportion remains unaided by these therapies. In this context, psychedelic drugs emerge as a promising frontier in the realm of psychotherapy.

This collection extends an invitation to distinguished authors to embark on an exploration of a diverse array of subtopics meticulously tailored to Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience's core themes. Submissions may delve into, but are not limited to, the following domains:

• Psychedelics in Clinical Practice: Investigate the clinical utility of psychedelics in managing neuropsychiatric conditions, encompassing depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction;
• Neuroscientific Advancements: Delve into the depths of psychedelic- induced neuroscientific insights, unravelling their impacts on brain function, cognitive processes, and the neurological underpinnings of consciousness;
• Ethical and Safety Considerations: Examine the paramount ethical and safety considerations crucial to responsible psychedelic research, ensuring the well-being of participants.

Within the umbrella term "psychedelics," we encompass classical psychedelics (serotonergic agonists), dissociative anaesthetics, and entactogens, each with its distinctive mechanisms of action. These substances not only shape perceptions of the external world and one's role within it but also influence mood, stress management, memory, and social functioning. Psychedelics may hold therapeutic potential for serious mental illnesses and substance or alcohol use disorders, but conducting unbiased clinical trials to establish their efficacy remains still extremely challenging.

Keywords: psychedelics, clinical neuropsychiatry, neuroscience, therapeutic innovation, ethical research

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Guest Advisors

Bogdan-Ionel Tamba, M.D., Ph.D. is a research scientist and coordinator of CEMEX, holding a Medical Doctor degree (Grigore T Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Iasi, Romania / Salamanca University Spain) and a PhD degree in Pharmacology and a board-certified specialist in Clinical Pharmacology. He has over 15 years of experience in in vitro and in vivo drug & biotech development, project management and education, in academia, pharmaceutical industry and start-ups. As a researcher, Prof. Tamba has published over 100 articles mostly in peer reviewed prestigious journals in the area of Preclinical Pain and Cannabinoids. In pain research, he has investigated and published data focused on identifying new drugs that can be used for treating refractory painful conditions. In the areas of cannabinoids most of his research work has been centered on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of cannabis. Prof. Tamba is a board member of several professional organizations as well as a reviewer for professional journals. CEMEX page: https://cemex.umfiasi.ro/

Michael Davidson, M.D. is currently the Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the Nicosia University Medical School. Prof. Davidson has trained in psychiatry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Prof. Davidson has accumulated experience both as an administrator and as a researcher. He has been hospital deputy director both in New York State and in Israel and has contributed to the movement of deinstitutionalization. As a researcher, Prof. Davidson has published over 350 articles mostly in peer reviewed prestigious journals in the area of Schizophrenia and of Alzheimer’s disease. In the area of Schizophrenia, he has investigated and published data focused on the biology of the disease (neurochemistry and molecular biology) as well as experimental treatments.

Disclosure Statement: Prof. Davison is the Chief Medical Officer of Minerva Neurosciences a biotech developing CNS drugs. Prof. Tamba has no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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All manuscripts submitted to this Article Collection will undergo a full peer-review; the Guest Advisor for this Collection will not be handling the manuscripts (unless they are an Editorial Board member).

Please review the journal scope and author submission instructions prior to submitting a manuscript.

The deadline for submitting manuscripts is August 31st, 2024.

Please contact Commissioning Editor Ruby Ru at [email protected] with any queries and discount codes regarding this Article Collection.

To submit your papers to this Article Collection, please:

1. Check "yes" for the question, "Are you submitting your paper for a specific special issue or article collection?"
2. Select the relevant Article Collection from the drop-down menu under the question, "Special Issue or Article Collection Name."

Instructions for AuthorsSubmit an Article