Effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the human heart
Joachim Neumann, Stefan Dhein, Uwe Kirchhefer, Britt Hofmann, Ulrich Gergs
Frontiers in Pharmacology February 2, 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1334218 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractHallucinogenic drugs like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT affect the brain by stimulating serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A receptors, which likely causes their hallucinogenic effects. However, these drugs also act on the heart, potentially increasing the force of contraction and heart rate, and may lead to arrhythmias. This review examines the inotropic and chronotropic actions of bufotenin, psilocin, psilocybin, LSD, ergotamine, ergometrine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the human heart.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Ergotamine Pharmacology Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key finding | Hallucinogenic drugs may increase cardiac force of contraction and heart rate and possibly cause arrhythmias via actions on the heart. |
Abstract
Hallucinogenic drugs are used because they have effects on the central nervous system. Their hallucinogenic effects probably occur via stimulation of serotonin receptors, namely, 5-HT 2A -serotonin receptors in the brain. However, a close study reveals that they also act on the heart, possibly increasing the force of contraction and beating rate and may lead to arrhythmias. Here, we will review the inotropic and chronotropic actions of bufotenin, psilocin, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ergotamine, ergometrine, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in the human heart.