Serotonergic Psychedelics: A Comparative Review of Efficacy, Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Binding Profile
Friederike Holze, Nirmal Singh, Matthias E. Liechti, Deepak Cyril D’souza
Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging February 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Mescaline Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Pharmacokinetics Pharmacology Hallucinogen Pharmacodynamics |
| Citations | 50 |
| Key findings | Evidence for therapeutic indications is scarce except for psilocybin for depression, and no differences in psychedelic effects beyond effect duration were noted among the five compounds. |
Abstract
Psychedelic compounds, including psilocybin, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), DMT (N,N -dimethyltryptamine), and 5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine), all of which are serotonin 2A receptor agonists, are being investigated as potential treatments. This review aims to summarize the current clinical research on these 4 compounds and mescaline to guide future research. Their mechanism(s) of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and safety were reviewed. While evidence for therapeutic indications, with the exception of psilocybin for depression, is still relatively scarce, we noted no differences in psychedelic effects beyond effect duration. Therefore, it remains unclear whether different receptor profiles contribute to the therapeutic potential of these compounds. More research is needed to differentiate these compounds in order to inform which compounds might be best for different therapeutic uses.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on serotonin, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 45
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy for treating anxiety, depression, and existential distress in people with life-threatening diseases Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews September 11, 2024
- Psychedelics in neuroinflammation: Mechanisms and therapeutic potential Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 31, 2025
- Addressing blinding in classic psychedelic studies with innovative active placebos. The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology April 1, 2025
- 1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI): From an Obscure to Pivotal Member of the DOX Family of Serotonergic Psychedelic Agents - A Review. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science June 14, 2024
- Naturalistic psychedelic therapy: The role of relaxation and subjective drug effects in antidepressant response Journal of Psychopharmacology September 20, 2024
and 40 more in the library
Cites 101
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
and 96 more in the library