A Multidisciplinary Hypothesis about Serotonergic Psychedelics. Is it Possible that a Portion of Brain Serotonin Comes From the Gut?
Noémi Császár-nagy, Petr Bob, István Bókkon
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience August 31, 2022 DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2105148 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Serotonin |
| Keywords | Enterochromaffin cell Neurotransmission Inhibitory postsynaptic potential Excitatory postsynaptic potential Blood–brain barrier Central nervous system Cell biology Endocrinology |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key points | Proposes that serotonergic psychedelics may work through a gut-brain axis mechanism involving increased 5-HT production by enterochromaffin cells, leading to transient blood-brain barrier permeability and neural network disintegration that facilitates emotional reset. |
Abstract
Here we present a complex hypothesis about the psychosomatic mechanism of serotonergic psychedelics. Serotonergic psychedelics affect gut microbes that produce a temporary increase of 5-HT by their host enterochromaffin cells (ECs). This increased 5-HT production—which is taken up and distributed by platelets—may work as a hormone-like regulatory signal that could influence membrane permeability in the host organs and tissues and in the brain. Increased plasma 5-HT levels could enhance permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Transiently increased permeability of the BBB allows for plasma 5-HT to enter the central nervous system (CNS) and be distributed by the volume transmission. Next, this gut-derived 5-HT could modulate excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission and produce special network disintegration in the CNS. This transient perturbation of the normal neural hierarchy allows patients access to suppressed fear information and perform an emotional reset, in which the amygdale may have a key role.