The Key Role of Intracellular 5-HT2A Receptors: A Turning Point in Psychedelic Research?
Psychoactives October 13, 2023 J. Sapienza
Psychedelics may have revolutionary potential in psychiatry, but until recently their pharmacodynamic properties seemed similar to serotonin, whose levels are raised by SSRIs. Unlike antidepressants, psychedelics can induce long-lasting neuroplasticity. New molecular findings show that neuroplasticity is triggered by stimulation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors. Psychedelics reach these receptors because their lipophilic properties allow them to cross the neuronal membrane, whereas serotonin cannot. The specific mechanisms are not yet fully understood, but better understanding could lead to new drugs or therapeutic strategies that sustain neuroplasticity while minimizing side effects.