Mental Health

This week on Pharmacy Times, there are a number of important topics that will be covered and posted throughout the week.

Trials assessing psychedelic medicine were conducted in the United States for several decades before they were criminalized in 1968, with government and military funding provided for research in the field.

Pharmacy Times interviewed Dennis O’Neill, president and board member of BIOMEDICAN, on the outlook around the future of biosynthesis therapeutics that use rare cannabinoids to treat a range of health issues, from mental health disorders to diabetes.

Clive Ward Able, MD, BPharm, president of Clintell, consultant to NeonMind Inc, and a trained pharmacist and physician, discusses his research into the use of psychedelic compounds to treat obesity.

The messages offered alternatives to these prescription drugs and offered education for providers that is designed to lead to a change in medication.

Despite significant medical advancements related to HIV treatment and quality of life, the risk of suicide in patients is high and health care providers should prioritize mental health screenings in this population.

Bia Labate, PhD, public education and culture specialist at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, and Kelan Thomas, PharmD, MS, associate professor of clinical sciences at Touro University California College of Pharmacy, discuss the psychedelic medicine market and the outlook for the field.

Jordan Tishler, MD, president of the Association of Cannabis Specialists and faculty at Harvard Medical School, discusses his outlook on the future of both care for patients with PTSD and acknowledgement of the role of cannabis in its treatment.

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid were applied first in high doses to lab-grown neurons and then in patients to understand the mechanism by which they reduce inflammation and depression.

The study authors said this research is the first systematic review that compares treatments for depression in those with coronary disease.

Studies suggest bipolar disorder is associated with increased potential for stroke and higher odds of experiencing poor outcomes.

To recognize National PTSD Awareness Month in June, Pharmacy Times interviewed Jordan Tishler, MD, on how medical cannabis can be used to treat PTSD among veterans and the general public.

Pharmacists can be instrumental in helping to curtail the prevalence of psychotropic medication misuse while also providing unique expertise on drug information.

Although many health systems offer wellness program for their staff, awareness and utilization of these services remains low.

The once-daily, oral atypical antipsychotic medication has the same established antipsychotic efficacy of olanzapine with less weight gain.

Findings showed a 34% decrease in the number of mental health services utilized by children under age 19 and a 22% decline in the number of mental health services utilized by adults aged 19 to 64.

As pharmacy professionals battle with their own challenges regarding mental health, the optimal role of psychiatric pharmacists is yet to be defined.

Pharmacy Times spoke with Dr. Mark Pollack, MD, about Mental Health Awareness Month and the latest information on depression/medication adherence.

Addressing the underlying causes of pharmacist burnout is essential, according to Melissa Santibañez, PharmD, BCCCP, a critical care clinical pharmacist at Memorial Regional Hospital.

Recent surveys have found high rates of occupational burnout among hematology and oncology pharmacists, with more than half or survey respondents reporting burnout.

The most common symptom of patients seeking evaluation for post-COVID-19 syndrome was fatigue.

Further, more than 67% of respondents indicated that vaccination will benefit their physical health, as well.

The historical and cultural foundations of the use of psychedelic drugs, the failure of the war on drugs in the United States, and multiple examples of other countries successfully legalizing psychedelics without societal problems developing as a result make a clear argument for the legalization of psychedelic medicine.

Loneliness and social isolation have been particularly significant problems for patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to isolation and social distancing, according to a study published in Cancer.

The researchers analyzed health outcomes in 283 heart attack survivors between 18 and 61 years of age, with an average age of 51 years.