Effects of hallucinogenic agents mescaline and phencyclidine on zebrafish behavior and physiology
Evan J. Kyzar, Christopher Collins, Siddharth Gaikwad, Jeremy Green, Andrew Roth, Louis Monnig, Mohamed El-Ounsi, Ari Davis, Andrew J. Freeman, Nicholas Capezio, Adam Stewart, Allan V. Kalueff
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry January 10, 2012 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2012.01.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Zebrafish (Danio rerio) |
| Interventions | Mescaline Phencyclidine (PCP) |
| Dose | 5-20 mg/l mescaline, 0.5-3 mg/l PCP |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Phencyclidine Zebrafish Danio Open field Pharmacology |
| Citations | 122 |
| Key findings | Mescaline and PCP dose-dependently altered zebrafish behavior in the novel tank, open field, and shoaling tests, with PCP uniquely evoking circling behavior and elevating cortisol levels. |
Abstract
Mescaline and phencyclidine (PCP) are potent hallucinogenic agents affecting human and animal behavior. As their psychotropic effects remain poorly understood, further research is necessary to characterize phenotypes they evoke in various animal models. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) are rapidly emerging as a new model organism for neuroscience research. Here, we examine the effects of mescaline (5-20mg/l) and PCP (0.5-3mg/l) in several zebrafish paradigms, including the novel tank, open field and shoaling tests. Mescaline and PCP dose-dependently increased top activity in the novel tank test, also reducing immobility and disrupting the patterning of zebrafish swimming, as assessed by ethograms. PCP, but not mescaline, evoked circling behavior in the open field test. At the highest doses tested, mescaline markedly increased, while PCP did not affect, zebrafish shoaling behavior. Finally, 20mg/l mescaline did not alter, and 3mg/l PCP elevated, whole-body cortisol levels. Overall, our studies indicate high sensitivity of zebrafish models to hallucinogenic compounds with complex behavioral and physiological effects.
Comparable studies
Other preclinical and animal studies on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correlation between the potency of hallucinogens in the mouse head-twitch response assay and their behavioral and subjective effects in other species. C57BL/6J mice | 2020 | Experimental study with dose-response experiments | |
| Brain mechanisms of hallucinogens and entactogens Humans and rats | 2001 | Review | |
| Lysergic Acid Diethylamide- and Mescaline-Induced Attenuation of the Effect of Punishment in the Rat Rats | 1976 | Experimental study | |
| Dihydrobenzofuran Analogues of Hallucinogens. 3. Models of 4-Substituted (2,5-Dimethoxyphenyl)alkylamine Derivatives with Rigidified Methoxy Groups Rats (trained to discriminate saline from LSD tartrate) and rat cortical and... | 1996 | In vivo drug discrimination assay and in vitro radioligand binding assay | |
| Transient reinforcing effects of phenylisopropylamine and indolealkylamine hallucinogens in rhesus monkeys Rhesus monkeys with a history of MDMA self-administration | 2004 | Observational cohort | n = 4 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 26
- Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine TIPS - Trends in Pharmacological Sciences September 22, 2017
- Unique and potent effects of acute ibogaine on zebrafish: the developing utility of novel aquatic models for hallucinogenic drug research. Behavioural Brain Research 2013
- Mescaline: The forgotten psychedelic Neuropharmacology October 14, 2022
- The epidemiology of mescaline use: Pattern of use, motivations for consumption, and perceived consequences, benefits, and acute and enduring subjective effects. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2022
- Understanding Central Nervous System Effects of Deliriant Hallucinogenic Drugs through Experimental Animal Models ACS Chemical Neuroscience September 25, 2018
and 21 more in the library
Cites 41
- Evidence for 5-HT2 involvement in the mechanism of action of hallucinogenic agents. Life Sciences December 17, 1984
- Mescaline-induced psychopathological, neuropsychological, and neurometabolic effects in normal subjects: experimental psychosis as a tool for psychiatric research. Biological Psychiatry December 1, 1992
- LYSERGIC ACID DIETHYLAMIDE (LSD-25) American Journal of Psychiatry June 1, 1952
- Is it time to revisit the role of psychedelic drugs in enhancing human creativity? Journal of Psychopharmacology February 28, 2008
- The serotonin 2C receptor potently modulates the head-twitch response in mice induced by a phenethylamine hallucinogen Psychopharmacology February 19, 2010
and 36 more in the library