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Bedside to bench: the outlook for psychedelic research

Victor P Acero, Emily S Cribas, Kevin D Browne, Olivia Rivellini, Justin C Burrell, John C O'Donnell, Suradip Das, D Kacy Cullen

Frontiers in Pharmacology October 2, 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1240295 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Ayahuasca DMT Ketamine MDMA Psilocybin Salvia divinorum
Keywords Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Psychoactive compounds Neuroscience brain science Neurology Pharmacology drug action Neural research Clinical applications Treatment potential
Citations 20
Key findings Psychedelics may mediate therapeutic effects through multi-faceted mechanisms including brain network modulation, neuronal plasticity, neuroendocrine function, glial cell regulation, epigenetic processes, and the gut-brain axis, suggesting potential applications beyond psychiatric disorders.

Abstract

There has recently been a resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds based on studies demonstrating their potential therapeutic applications in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse disorders, and treatment-resistant depression. Despite promising efficacy observed in some clinical trials, the full range of biological effects and mechanism(s) of action of these compounds have yet to be fully established. Indeed, most studies to date have focused on assessing the psychological mechanisms of psychedelics, often neglecting the non-psychological modes of action. However, it is important to understand that psychedelics may mediate their therapeutic effects through multi-faceted mechanisms, such as the modulation of brain network activity, neuronal plasticity, neuroendocrine function, glial cell regulation, epigenetic processes, and the gut-brain axis. This review provides a framework supporting the implementation of a multi-faceted approach, incorporating in silico , in vitro and in vivo modeling, to aid in the comprehensive understanding of the physiological effects of psychedelics and their potential for clinical application beyond the treatment of psychiatric disorders. We also provide an overview of the literature supporting the potential utility of psychedelics for the treatment of brain injury (e.g., stroke and traumatic brain injury), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases), and gut-brain axis dysfunction associated with psychiatric disorders (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder). To move the field forward, we outline advantageous experimental frameworks to explore these and other novel applications for psychedelics.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on salvia divinorum, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Here today, gone tomorrow…and back again? A review of herbal marijuana alternatives (K2, Spice), synthetic cathinones (bath salts), kratom, Salvia divinorum, methoxetamine, and piperazines. General (review of novel psychoactive substances) 2012 Review
Opioid receptors and legal highs:Salvia divinorumand Kratom 2008 Review
Salvinorin A: the "magic mint" hallucinogen finds a molecular target in the kappa opioid receptor. 2003 Review
Salvia divinorum and the unique diterpene hallucinogen, Salvinorin (divinorin) A. 1994 Review
Drug models of schizophrenia. General (review of drug models of schizophrenia) 2015 Review

Citations in the library

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Ayahuasca DMT Ketamine MDMA Psilocybin Salvia divinorum Addiction Anxiety Depression Neuroplasticity PTSD