The aim of this study was to define the typical groups of users of psychedelics and alike psychoactive substances in Czechia regarding various variables such as demographics, their patterns of use, or motivation for use. Data from 890 Czech respondents were collected through an online questionnaire as a part of The National Psychedelic Research Project. Subjects reported experience with the use of 29 selected substances by answering 133 questions of the questionnaire. Cluster analysis based on answers on last year use was performed, and descriptive statistics was used for 18 questions from the questionnaire. Six groups of users were identified with distinguished users and demographic characteristics, namely, The most experienced; Pure smokers; Highly educated mild users; Past-time users with families; Responsible (party) students and Deep meaning natural substance users. Groups differ mainly in the type of substances used, frequency of use last year, and demographics. Our findings highlight several patterns typical for psychedelics and alike psychoactive substances use in Czechia in each of the groups and the need for targeted drug prevention services, the raise of public awareness regarding this topic, and a possible reevaluation of the legal status of some substances. Results can be useful for health-care providers, social workers, and policy-makers.
- MeSH
- halucinogeny * MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * epidemiologie MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- uživatelé drog * MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The spleen is a large and highly vascularized secondary lymphatic organ. Spleen injuries are among the most frequent trauma-related injuries in the abdominal region. The aims of the study were to assess the volume fractions of the main splenic tissue components (red pulp, white pulp, trabeculae and reticular fibres) and to determine the severity of splenic injury due to the experimental impact test. Porcine spleens (n = 17) were compressed by 6.22 kg wooden plate using a drop tower technique from three impact heights (50, 100 and 150 mm corresponding to velocities 0.79, 1.24 and 1.58 m/s). The pressure was measured via catheters placed in the splenic vein. The impact velocity was measured using lasers. The severity of induced injuries was analysed on the macroscopic level. The volume fractions of splenic components were assessed microscopically using stereology. The volume fraction of the red pulp was 76.4%, white pulp 21.3% and trabeculae 2.7% respectively. All impact tests, even with the low impact velocities, led to injuries that occurred mostly in the dorsal extremity of the spleen, and were accompanied by bleeding, capsule rupture and parenchyma crushing. Higher impact height (impact velocity and impact energy) caused more severe injury. Porcine spleen had the same volume fraction of tissue components as human spleen, therefore we concluded that the porcine spleen was a suitable organ model for mechanical experiments. Based on our observations, regions around hilum and the diaphragmatic surface of the dorsal extremity, that contained fissures and notches, were the most prone to injury and required considerable attention during splenic examination after injury. The primary mechanical data are now available for the researchers focused on the splenic trauma modelling.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- nemoci prasat * MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- slezina MeSH
- tupá poranění * veterinární MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Ayahuasca is a traditional plant decoction containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and various β-carbolines including harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine, which has been used ceremonially by Amazonian Indigenous groups for healing and spiritual purposes. Use of the brew has now spread far beyond its original context of consumption to North America, Europe, and Australia in neo-shamanic settings as well as Christian syncretic churches. While these groups have established their own rituals and protocols to guide use, it remains unknown the extent to which the use of traditional or non-traditional practices may affect drinkers' acute experiences, and longer term wellbeing and mental health outcomes. Hence, this study aimed to provide the first detailed assessment of associations between ceremony/ritual characteristics, additional support practices, motivations for drinking, and mental health and wellbeing outcomes. The paper uses data from a large cross-sectional study of ayahuasca drinkers in more than 40 countries who had used ayahuasca in various contexts (n = 6,877). It captured detailed information about participant demographics, patterns and history of ayahuasca drinking, the setting of consumption, and ritualistic practices employed. Current mental health status was captured via the Kessler 10 psychological distress scale and the mental health component score of the SF-12 Health Questionnaire, while reported change in prior clinically diagnosed anxiety or depression (n = 1276) was evaluated using a (PGIC) Patient Global Impression of Change tool. Various intermediate outcomes were also assessed including perceived change in psychological wellbeing, number of personal self-insights attained, and subjective spiritual experience measured via the spirituality dimension of the Persisting Effects Questionnaire (PEQ) and Short Index of Mystical Orientation. Regression models identified a range of significant associations between set and setting variables, and intermediate and final mental health and wellbeing outcomes. A generalized structural equation model (GSEM) was then used to verify relationships and associations between endogenous, mediating and final outcome variables concurrently. The present study sheds new light on the influence of ceremonial practices, additional supports and motivations on the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca for mental health and wellbeing, and ways in which such factors can be optimized in naturalistic settings and clinical studies.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVE: The liver is frequently injured in blunt abdominal trauma caused by road traffic accidents. The testing of safety performance of vehicles, e.g. belt usage, head support, seat shape, or air bag shape, material, pressure and reaction, could lead to reduction of the injury seriousness. Current trends in safety testing include development of accurate computational human body models (HBMs) based on the anatomical, morphological, and mechanical behavior of tissues under high strain. APPROACH: The aim of this study was to describe the internal pressure changes within porcine liver, the severity of liver injury and the relation between the porcine liver microstructure and rupture propagation in an experimental impact test. Porcine liver specimens (n = 24) were uniformly compressed using a drop tower technique and four impact heights (200, 300, 400 and 500 mm; corresponding velocities: 1.72, 2.17, 2.54 and 2.88 m s-1). The changes in intravascular pressure were measured via catheters placed in portal vein and caudate vena cava. The induced injuries were analyzed on the macroscopic level according to AAST grade and AIS severity. Rupture propagation with respect to liver microstructure was analyzed using stereological methods. MAIN RESULTS: Macroscopic ruptures affected mostly the interface between connective tissue surrounding big vessels and liver parenchyma. Histological analysis revealed that the ruptures avoided reticular fibers and interlobular septa made of connective tissue on the microscopic level. SIGNIFICANCE: The present findings can be used for evaluation of HBMs of liver behavior in impact situations.
- MeSH
- dopravní nehody MeSH
- játra zranění MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- poranění břicha * MeSH
- prasata MeSH
- tlak MeSH
- tupá poranění * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
This article focuses on the therapeutic potential ascribed to ayahuasca by users in the Czech Republic. Following an online survey, the fieldwork among users of ayahuasca was carried out from November 2015 to December 2016. The research sample consisted of 46 persons (23 women and 23 men), who took part at least once in some type of ayahuasca ritual and/or were the facilitators of the ayahuasca sessions. We held semi-structured interviews with participants in order to discover the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca. Transcribed recordings were analyzed using the Grounded Theory Method. The results suggest that the intensity of effects produced by ayahuasca is not directly proportional to its therapeutic effect. According to the informants, ayahuasca is applicable in the treatment of drug addiction. They consider it to have a broad spectrum of therapeutic potential. This therapeutic potential could be based on memory recall.
- MeSH
- Banisteriopsis chemie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek farmakoterapie MeSH
- rituální chování * MeSH
- rostlinné extrakty aplikace a dávkování MeSH
- rozhovory jako téma MeSH
- zakotvená teorie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
AIMS: The aim of this research study was to verify if there are differences in motivation among inpatients in Czech psychiatric hospitals and clients of therapeutic communities. The research was conducted among all the new referrals to the Jihlava Psychiatric Hospital (n = 255) and the clients of the Sejrek, Renarkon, Kladno-Dubi, and Vrsicek therapeutic communities (n = 50). DATA COLLECTION: The data was collected between 1 March 2015 and 31 March 2016. To measure motivation, we always distributed the Czech version of the CMRS Scale among the respondents within their first week of treatment. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the statistical data processing, we performed a frequency distribution of the answers to each statement on the scale and then calculated their mode. In relation to circumstances, the frequency distribution demonstrated that the clients of the therapeutic communities scored slightly better than the inpatients in the psychiatric hospital. Their opinions were also more convincing with regard to motivation and readiness. With regard to suitability for treatment, the clients of the therapeutic communities displayed higher awareness of their addiction problem. CONCLUSION: The patients in the psychiatric hospital emphasized rather the need to change the environment in order to achieve abstinence and the importance of individual sacrifice in completing the therapeutic programme. When the results of the frequency distribution from the psychiatric hospital and therapeutic communities were compared, a remarkable consensus was identified, despite the significant difference in the number of respondents from various types of rehab. This result was also confirmed by the mode calculation. There are no fundamental differences in motivation between the inpatients of psychiatric hospitals and clients of therapeutic communities. Both groups show similarities in seeking rehabilitation, regardless of the type of treatment.
- Klíčová slova
- CMRS, Circumstances, motivation, readiness, suitability scales,
- MeSH
- adiktologie klasifikace metody MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- filozofie MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- motivace * MeSH
- poruchy spojené s užíváním psychoaktivních látek * komplikace psychologie terapie MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- střídmost MeSH
- terapeutická komunita MeSH
- ústavy pro duševně nemocné MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- srovnávací studie MeSH
Tento článek se zabývá samoléčbou konopím (Cannabis sativa L.) v České republice se zaměřením na subjektivní rovinu jejího prožívání nemocnými a širší společenský rámec této terapie. Nahlíží aktuální situaci, kdy stát selhává v efektivní regulaci konopí jako léku a nemocní často přistupují k ilegální samoléčbě. Od 1. 1. 2017 do 1. 5. 2017 byl realizován on-line dotazníkový průzkum mezi záměrně vybranými dobrovolníky, jež byli osloveni prostřednictvím organizací, které poskytují souhrnné informace o této problematice. Výzkumný vzorek tvoří 107 nemocných, kteří užívali konopí a jeho deriváty za účelem samoléčby. Získané výpovědi byly analyzovány metodou zakotvené teorie. Výsledky výzkumu ukázaly, že nemocní, kteří v České republice vyhledávají konopnou samoléčbu považují současnou legální regulaci konopí za nevyhovující. Rostlinu si pro vlastní potřebu nejčastěji opatřují pěstováním a informace o léčbě získávají primárně na internetu. Článek se podrobněji zabývá specifiky konopné samoléčby a jejími dopady na zdravotní stav participantů výzkumu. Obsahuje informace užitečné pro organizace, které se věnují práci s pacienty užívajícími konopí k léčbě.
Th is article is focused on the self-medication with cannabis (Cannabis sativa L.) in the Czech Republic, exploring subjective perception of this treatment by ill persons and its sociocultural framework. It describes a situation when the state fails to eff ectively regulate medical cannabis and patients oft en seek practices of self-medication, which remains illegal in the country. An online questionnaire was done from January 1, 2017 to May 1, 2017, in deliberately selected volunteers approached via organizations providing comprehensive information about the issue. The study sample consists of 107 subjects, who used cannabis and its derivatives for self-medication. Using the Grounded theory approach, the results indicate that people who seek cannabis for self-medication in the Czech Republic consider it current legal regulation objectionable. Cannabis plants for self-medication are usually grown at home and people gain information about the treatment primarily online. Considering the experience of respondents, there are common practices of cannabis self-medication described in this article and their impact on the health status of the participants. It contains information useful for the organizations working with medical cannabis patients.
- MeSH
- abúzus marihuany MeSH
- Cannabis MeSH
- komplementární terapie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- marihuana pro léčebné účely * MeSH
- samoléčba MeSH
- výsledek terapie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- přehledy MeSH
