Serotonergic Psychedelics in Neural Plasticity
Kacper Łukasiewicz, Jacob J. Baker, Yi Zuo, Ju Lu
Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience October 12, 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.748359 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelics, which have been used for centuries, can dramatically alter conscious experience. Recent research indicates that certain psychedelics promote neural plasticity by stimulating neurite growth and synapse formation. This review concentrates on classical serotonergic psychedelics and their role in neural plasticity, discussing how this mechanism may underlie their therapeutic potential.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Neuroplasticity Serotonin |
| Keywords | Neuroscience Psychology Focus optics |
| Citations | 32 |
| Key finding | Classical serotonergic psychedelics induce neural plasticity by promoting neurite growth and synapse formation, which may contribute to their therapeutic potential. |
Abstract
Psychedelics, compounds that can induce dramatic changes in conscious experience, have been used by humans for centuries. Recent studies have shown that certain psychedelics can induce neural plasticity by promoting neurite growth and synapse formation. In this review, we focus on the role of classical serotonergic psychedelics in neural plasticity and discuss its implication for their therapeutic potentials.