Polypharmacology or “Pharmacological Promiscuity” In Psychedelic Research: What Are We Missing?
Genís Ona, Rafael G. Dos Santos, Jaime E. C. Hallak, José Carlos Bouso
ACS Chemical Neuroscience October 6, 2020 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00614 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractResearch on psychedelic drugs typically examines isolated compounds, but this approach may overlook important effects because these substances contain multiple active ingredients. This viewpoint argues that studying whole products like ayahuasca or Psilocybe mushrooms, rather than just single compounds, could reveal additional therapeutic or experiential properties. The authors describe how psychedelic research can incorporate a polypharmacology framework, which considers the combined actions of multiple chemicals. Ethical considerations of this broader approach are also briefly discussed.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Ayahuasca Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Promiscuity Psychology Pharmacology |
| Citations | 12 |
| Key finding | Argues that research on psychedelic drugs may be missing therapeutic benefits by not studying whole natural products like ayahuasca or Psilocybe mushrooms under a polypharmacology paradigm. |
Abstract
Research with psychedelic drugs has mainly focused on isolated compounds. However, this approach is challenged by the "polypharmacology" paradigm. In this Viewpoint, we suggest that we may be missing something if we do not use the whole product in the case of ayahuasca or Psilocybe mushrooms. After describing how research on psychedelic drugs can be effectively combined with the polypharmacology paradigm, ethical issues are also briefly discussed.