Adrian Hase

University of Fribourg · Department of Medicine

Background Peripheral levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are often used as a biomarker for the rapid plasticity-promoting effects of ketamine, psychedelics, and other psychoplastogens in humans. However, studies analyzing peripheral BDNF after psychoplastogen exposure show mixed results. In this meta-analysis, we aimed to test wheth...

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric disorders, with symptoms including persistent sadness and loss of interest. MDD is associated with neurochemical alterations in GABA, glutamate, and glutamine levels but, to date, few studies have examined changes in glutathione (GSH) in MDD. This study investigated changes...

Deficits in socio-emotional reciprocity, in prosocial behavior and in developing social relationships are diagnostic criteria of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), usually assessed by self-report or observation. Simple social experiments developed by behavioral economists allow for quantification of ASD-related social behavior. In this study, we used...

Rationale and Objectives Differences among psychedelic substances regarding their subjective experiences are clinically and scientifically interesting. Quantitative linguistic analysis is a powerful tool to examine such differences. This study compared five psychedelic substance report groups and a non-psychedelic report group on quantitative ling...

Challenge and threat models predict that once individuals become engaged with performance, their evaluations and cardiovascular response determine further outcomes. Although the role of challenge and threat in predicting performance has been extensively tested, few studies have focused on task engagement. We aimed to investigate task engagement in...

The negative consequences of personal exclusion have been demonstrated by multiple studies. Less is known about the consequences of witnessing one’s own group being excluded by other groups, although studies suggest exclusion can be experienced vicariously and negatively affects members of the excluded group. Results of the present lab-based experi...

Introduction: This paper describes the implementation of a pilot project in Kurdistan / Northern Iraq on the use of EMDR in children in post-conflict settings. Methods: A 4-field scheme aimed at patient stabilisation was taught to social workers for the application with children and adolescents in Northern Iraq. If possible, the stabilisation wa...

The negative consequences of personal exclusion have been demonstrated by multiple studies. Less is known about the consequences of witnessing one’s own group being excluded by other groups, although studies suggest exclusion can be experienced vicariously and negatively affects members of the excluded group. Results of the present lab-based experi...

In Poland, both, gender hierarchy restricting women’s sexuality and heteronormativity are rooted in traditional “family values” supported by the teachings of the Polish Catholic Church and attached to Polish national identity. Dissenters to traditional norms regulating gender and sexual relations are rejected as a threat to social order and nationa...

Results of a three-wave longitudinal study conducted in the first four weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland (N = 889) indicate that right wing-authoritarianism increased as the pandemic unfolded, predicting significant growth in national cohesion and in the belief that non-traditional women and sexual minorities threaten the national survival....

Background: The biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat specifies a challenge-threat continuum where favorable demand-resource evaluations, efficient cardiovascular responses, and superior performance characterize challenge; and maladaptive outcomes like clinical depression characterize threat states. The model also specifies task engagement,...

The presence of supportive relationships is crucial in health and sporting contexts. However, the actual receipt of supportive behaviors from these relationships is sometimes ineffective or even detrimental. One explanation for this inconsistency is that the amount of support individuals receive might not be congruent with what they want. Using the...

Viewing stressful situations as more of a challenge than a threat (i.e., coping resources match or exceed situational demands) has been associated with better performance and long-term health. However, to date, little research has examined if individuals have tendencies to evaluate all stressful situations as more of a challenge or threat. Thus, th...

Objectives A psychophysiological response called a challenge state has been associated with better performance than a threat state. However, to date, challenge-promoting interventions have rarely been tested. Therefore, this study investigated whether instructional and/or motivational self-talk promoted a challenge state and improved task performan...

Ingesting the catecholamine precursor tyrosine can prevent decrements in, or improve, cognitive and motor performance in demanding situations. Furthermore, the biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat specifies that adrenal medullary catecholamine release plays a central role in the occurrence of a challenge state, which has been linked to bet...

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a well-established treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. Recent research suggested that it may be effective in treating depressive disorders as well. The present study is part of a multicenter randomized-controlled trial, the EDEN study, in which a homogenous group of 30 patients was t...

Performance under pressure is key to success in competitive sport. The biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat (Blascovich, 2008) specifies that in a highly pressurised competition, individuals who exhibit a challenge state outperform those who exhibit a threat state. Though research has supported the superiority of a challenge over a threat...

Performance under pressure is key to success in competitive sport. The biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat (Blascovich, 2008) specifies that in a highly pressurised competition, individuals who exhibit a challenge state outperform those who exhibit a threat state. Though research has supported the superiority of a challenge over a threat...

The biopsychosocial model of challenge and threat states specifies that these states engender different physiological and behavioral responses in potentially stressful situations. This model has received growing interest in the sport and performance psychology literature. The present systematic review examined whether a challenge state is associate...

Background Depression is a severe mental disorder that challenges mental health systems worldwide as the success rates of all established treatments are limited. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a scientifically acknowledged psychotherapeutic treatment for PTSD. Given the recent research indicating that trauma and oth...

In 2011, the NADA protocol was introduced in the department of psychosomatic medicine, psychotherapy, and psychosomatic rehabilitation of the Diana hospital in Bad Bevensen.Objective In view of the paucity of data with respect to indications outside of substance dependency, data were collected concomitantly to the introduction of the NADA protocol....