Hallucinogens, serotonin and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 1, 1998 P L Delgado, F A Moreno
The serotonin system is involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Blocking serotonin reuptake is an initial step in how antiobsessional drugs work, but improvement can take eight to 12 weeks, and most patients do not fully recover. Recent data suggest that activating 5-HT2A and/or 5-HT2C receptors may be important for symptom improvement. Psychedelic drugs potently activate these receptors, and their binding potency correlates with hallucinogenic potency. This review of clinical and preclinical studies suggests that hallucinogens may acutely reduce OCD symptoms and possibly have longer-lasting beneficial effects. The authors conclude that controlled trials of potent 5-HT2 agonists in people with OCD are warranted.