Therapeutic potential of psychedelics: History, advancements, and unexplored frontiers.
Juliana Marino Maia, Bruna Stefane Alves De Oliveira, Luiz G S Branco, Renato Nery Soriano
Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry April 20, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.110951 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelics, also known as serotonergic hallucinogens, alter perception, mood, and cognitive functions by activating 5-HT2A receptors. They show potential therapeutic effects for disorders such as depression, addiction, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. While clinical studies report effectiveness with minimal side effects, the relationship between these drugs and human brain modulation remains poorly understood. This article reviews promising findings on the putative therapeutic effects of psychedelics.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Hallucinogens Neural interconnections Reward system Serotonin receptors |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key finding | Psychedelics activate 5-HT2A receptors and show therapeutic potential for depression, addiction, anxiety, and PTSD, though the brain mechanisms are not well understood. |
Abstract
Psychedelics (serotonergic hallucinogens) are psychoactive substances that can alter perception and mood, and affect cognitive functions. These substances activate 5-HT2A receptors and may exert therapeutic effects. Some of the disorders for which psychedelic-assisted therapy have been studied include depression, addiction, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the increasing number of studies reporting clinical effectiveness, with fewer negative symptoms and, additionally, minimal side effects, questions remain to be explored in the field of psychedelic medicine. Although progress has been achieved, there is still little understanding of the relationship among human brain and the modulation induced by these drugs. The present article aimed to describe, review and highlight the most promising findings in the literature regarding the (putative) therapeutic effects of psychedelics.