The serotonin 5-HT2C receptor and the non-addictive nature of classic hallucinogens.
J Psychopharmacol November 15, 2016
Classic hallucinogens are non-addictive and can help treat addiction, possibly because they activate 5-HT 2C receptors. Preclinical evidence suggests that 5-HT 2C agonists counteract addiction by modulating dopamine neuron activity in the reward pathway. Specifically, activation of 5-HT 2C receptors on GABAergic neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell inhibits potassium Kv1.x channels, enhancing inhibitory activity. Addictive drugs like cocaine have the opposite effect, potentiating Kv1.x channels and suppressing inhibition. This framework explains how classic hallucinogens might thwart addiction and why they themselves are non-addictive.