Psychedelics for anxiety disorders: Challenges and opportunities
C-J Gao, Heming Cheng
Fundamental Research July 16, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2025.07.008 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | 2 5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Key findings | The 5-HT 2A receptor in ventral hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons mediates the acute anxiolytic effects of DOI. |
Abstract
A recent study published in Neuron by Tiwari et al . identified the critical role of 5-HT 2A receptor in ventral hippocampal parvalbumin (PV) interneurons (INs) in mediating the acute anxiolytic effects of the serotonergic psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI). This study not only advances psychedelic neuropharmacology but also provides a robust framework for developing novel rapid-acting therapeutics for anxiety disorders [ 1 ].
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A PILOT STUDY OF GROUP MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) FOR COMBAT VETERANS WITH POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) Veterans with chronic combat posttraumatic stress disorder seeking treatment at a VA... | 2013 | Quasi-experimental with treatment-as-usual comparison group | n = 37 |
| Being present in the face of existential threat: The role of trait mindfulness in reducing defensive responses to mortality salience. | 2010 | Experimental study | |
| Neural correlates of mindfulness meditation-related anxiety relief Healthy adults with no prior meditation experience | 2013 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 15 |
| Intensive mindfulness training-related changes in cognitive and emotional experience Community adults | 2009 | Quasi-experimental and longitudinal | n = 69 |
| Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment Volunteers | 2019 | Within-subjects experimental study | n = 11 |
Citations in the library
Cites 5
- The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Journal of Psychopharmacology November 18, 2016
- Beyond the 5-HT2A Receptor: Classic and Nonclassic Targets in Psychedelic Drug Action. Journal of Neuroscience November 8, 2023
- Isolation of psychedelic-responsive neurons underlying anxiolytic behavioral states. Science November 15, 2024
- Ventral hippocampal parvalbumin interneurons gate the acute anxiolytic action of the serotonergic psychedelic DOI. Neuron November 20, 2024
- Psychedelics: A review of their effects on recalled aversive memories and fear/anxiety expression in rodents Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 20, 2024