Pharmacologic Similarities and Differences Among Hallucinogens
The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology August 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1002/jcph.1917 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Pharmacology Dopamine |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | Hallucinogens vary in their mechanisms of action, with classical serotonergic hallucinogens differing from those acting via NMDA antagonism, opioid agonism, or monoamine reuptake inhibition, and this pharmacologic diversity influences their physical and psychiatric effects and toxicities. |
Abstract
Abstract Hallucinogens constitute a unique class of substances that cause changes in the user's thoughts, perceptions, and mood through various mechanisms of action. Although the serotonergic hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, and N,N‐ dimethyltryptamine have been termed the classical hallucinogens , many hallucinogens elicit their actions through other mechanisms such as N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor antagonism, opioid receptor agonism, or inhibition of the reuptake of monoamines including serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The aim of this article is to compare the pharmacologic similarities and differences among substances within the hallucinogen class and their impact on physical and psychiatric effects. Potential toxicities, including life‐threatening and long‐term effects, will be reviewed.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review | 2008 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE | 1984 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 6
- Improvement in OCD symptoms associated with serotoninergic psychedelics: a retrospective online survey. Sci Rep August 17, 2023
- RE104: Synthesis and Activity of a Novel Serotonergic Psychedelic Prodrug of 4-Hydroxy-N,N-diisopropyltryptamine ACS Chemical Neuroscience May 17, 2024
- Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Subcutaneous RE104: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Single Ascending Dose Placebo-Controlled Study. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology July 21, 2025
- Safety and Efficacy of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients Who Use Psychoactive Substances: Potential Drug Interactions and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Data. CNS Drugs January 17, 2026
- Mystical experiences during magnesium-Ibogaine are associated with improvements in PTSD symptoms in veterans. Journal of Affective Disorders November 18, 2025
and 1 more in the library
Cites 48
- 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
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans, firefighters, and police officers: a randomised, double-blind, dose-response, phase 2 clinical trial. The lancet. Psychiatry May 1, 2018
and 43 more in the library