Evolving antidepressant: from SSRIs to psychedelic
International Conference on Modern Medicine and Global Health September 7, 2023 H. Hong
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) work by blocking serotonin transport and modulating serotonin levels in the brain. This review examines the mechanisms of both SSRIs and psychedelics, highlighting their potential therapeutic applications for psychiatric disorders. It discusses the limitations of current antidepressants and the need for alternative approaches, exploring how psychedelics interact with receptors and neural networks to promote neuroplasticity, which may help reset maladaptive neural pathways and improve mental health. Recent research on psychoplastogens, non-hallucinogenic analogs of psychedelics, is presented as a promising alternative that may reduce adverse effects while still promoting neuroplasticity.