Revisiting Forbidden Drugs: Chemical and Pharmacological Perspectives Over Psychedelic Indoleamines and Entactogens as Promising Therapeutic Agents

Depression and anxiety that resist standard treatments remain a major psychiatric challenge. Over the past decade, previously stigmatized psychedelic and entactogen substances have gained momentum as potential therapies. This review compares the pharmacological and molecular aspects of psychedelic indoleamines and entactogens that show promise as novel psychiatric drugs or psychotherapy aids. The analysis suggests molecular design strategies for creating new drugs with desirable pharmacological profiles.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Depression and anxiety disorders are a major challenge for modern psychiatry, especially when shown to be resistant to conventional means of treatment. Over the past decade, psychedelic and entactogen substances, once stigmatized, have regained an ever-growing momentum as potential therapeutic agents for these disorders. The present study offers a review and comparison of the pharmacological and molecular aspects of psychedelic indoleamines and entactogen substances that demonstrate potential to become novel drugs in the field of psychiatry and as psychotherapy adjuvants. The analysis of the presented aspects allows for the contemplation of molecular design strategies for novel drugs with desirable pharmacological profiles.