Lysergic acid diethylamide stimulates cardiac human H2 histamine and cardiac human 5-HT4-serotonin receptors.
Ulrich Gergs, Hannes Jacob, Pauline Braekow, Britt Hofmann, Steffen Pockes, Laura J. Humphrys, Uwe Kirchhefer, Charlotte Fehse, Joachim Neumann
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 2024 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02591-6 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of human 5-HT4 or H2 receptors, and human right atrial tissue from bypass surgery patients |
| Intervention | LSD |
| Dose | up to 10 µM |
| Topics | LSD Serotonin |
| Keywords | Inotropy Heart cardiac Cardiovascular Receptors h2-histamine receptor Serotonin receptor Cardiac function chronotropy |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | LSD increases cardiac force and rate through activation of 5-HT4 serotonin receptors and H2 histamine receptors. |
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is an artificial hallucinogenic drug. Thus, we hypothesized that LSD might act 5-HT4 serotonin receptors and/or H2 histamine receptors. We studied isolated electrically stimulated left atrial preparations, spontaneously beating right atrial preparations, and spontaneously beating Langendorff-perfused hearts from transgenic mice with cardiomyocyte-specific overexpression of the human 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4-TG) or of the H2-histamine receptor (H2-TG). For comparison, we used wild type littermate mice (WT). Finally, we measured isometric force of contraction in isolated electrically stimulated muscle strips from the human right atrium obtained from patients during bypass surgery. LSD (up to 10 µM) concentration dependently increased force of contraction and beating rate in left or right atrial preparations from 5-HT4-TG (n = 6, p < 0.05) in 5-HT4-TG atrial preparations. The inotropic and chronotropic effects of LSD were antagonized by 10 µM tropisetron in 5-HT4-TG. In contrast, LSD (10 µM) increased force of contraction and beating rate in left or right atrial preparations, from H2-TG. After pre-stimulation with cilostamide (1 µM), LSD (10 µM) increased force of contraction in human atrial preparations (n = 6, p < 0.05). The contractile effects of LSD in human atrial preparations could be antagonized by 10 µM cimetidine and 1 µM GR 125487. LSD leads to H2-histamine receptor and 5-HT4-receptor mediated cardiac effects in humans.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on LSD, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Cardiovascular safety of psychedelic medicine: current status and future directions Pharmacological Reports October 24, 2023
- Cardiovascular effects and safety of classic psychedelics. Nature cardiovascular research February 1, 2025
- Effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the human heart Frontiers in Pharmacology February 2, 2024
- Exploring novel therapeutic strategies: Could psychedelic perspectives offer promising solutions for Alzheimer's disease comorbidities? Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience March 19, 2025
- Effects of LSD and Psilocybin on Heart Rate in Patients Receiving Psychedelic Treatment for Depressive and Anxiety Disorders: A Retrospective Observational Study Psychology International December 19, 2025
and 2 more in the library
Cites 10
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics November 11, 2008
- LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Journal of Psychopharmacology November 11, 2014
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Distinct acute effects of LSD, MDMA, and d-amphetamine in healthy subjects Neuropsychopharmacology November 16, 2019
and 5 more in the library