Effects of psychedelics on neurogenesis and brain plasticity: A systematic review

New neurons continue to be generated in the mammalian brain throughout life, a process linked to the HPA axis and mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds—including phenethylamines, tryptamines, cannabinoids, and others—have emerged as potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders, with evidence suggesting they increase adult neurogenesis. This systematic review examined 68 studies from a total of 205 articles, covering CB1 agonists, NMDA antagonists, harmala alkaloids, tryptamines, and entactogens. The findings describe how different psychedelics affect the birth of new neurons and brain plasticity, providing a comprehensive picture that may inform future therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In the mammalian brain, new neurons continue to be generated throughout life in a process known as adult neurogenesis. The role of adult-generated neurons has been broadly studied across laboratories, and mounting evidence suggests a strong link to the HPA axis and concomitant malfunctions in patients diagnosed with mood disorders. Psychedelic compounds, such as phenethylamines, tryptamines, cannabinoids, and a variety of ever-growing chemical categories, have emerged as therapeutic options for neuropsychiatric disorders, while numerous reports link their effects to increased adult neurogenesis. In this systematic review, we examine studies assessing neurogenesis or neurogenesis-associated brain plasticity after psychedelic interventions and aim to provide a comprehensive picture of how this vast category of compounds regulates the generation of new neurons. We conducted a literature search on PubMed and Science Direct databases, considering all articles published until January 31, 2023, and selected articles containing both the terms "neurogenesis" and "psychedelics". We analyzed experimental studies using either in vivo or in vitro models, employing classical or atypical psychedelics at all ontogenetic windows, as well as human studies referring to neurogenesis-associated plasticity. Of a total of 205 articles, 68 met all the necessary conditions for further review. Our findings were divided into five main categories of psychedelics: CB1 agonists, NMDA antagonists, harmala alkaloids, tryptamines, and entactogens. We described the outcomes of neurogenesis assessments and investigated related results on the effects of psychedelics on brain plasticity and behavior within our sample. In summary, this review presents an extensive study into how different psychedelics may affect the birth of new neurons and other brain-related processes. Such knowledge may be valuable for future research on novel therapeutic strategies for neuropsychiatric disorders.