ABSTRACT This integrative review was conducted to summarize the knowledge pertaining to the effects that serotonergic psychedelics can have on creativity, a multi-dimensional construct referring to the ability to produce original and valuable artifacts. Psychedelics, which have long been hailed as substances that can enhance the creative process in their users, have experienced a recent...
Classical psychedelics are a group of hallucinogens which trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness through activation of the 5-HT2A receptor (5-HT2A R) in the brain. However, the exact mechanism of how 5-HT2A R agonism alters perception remains elusive. When studying receptor signaling, tools which work at the same spatiotemporal resolution as the receptor are exceptionally useful. To...
Background: Depression is a psychiatric disorder with limited therapy options. Psychedelics are new antidepressant candidates, being the ayahuasca one of the most promising ones. A synergistic combination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and β-carbolines allows ayahuasca antidepressant properties. Another psychedelic and DMT-containing beverage is the jurema wine used religiously by indigenous...
Abstract3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “Ecstasy”) use has been linked to persistent alterations of the brain serotonergic (5-HT) system in animal and human studies, but the molecular underpinnings are still unclear. Cytoskeletal structures such as neurofilament light chain (NfL) are promising markers of drug-induced brain toxicity and may be involved in MDMA neurotoxicity. The...
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy gained considerable interest as a novel treatment strategy for fear-related mental disorders but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor is a key target underlying the effects of psychedelics on emotional arousal but its role in fear processing remains controversial. Using the psychedelic 5-HT2A/5-HT2C receptor...
European PsychiatryJune 1, 2022Jaime Rodrigues, O. Nombora, Luiz Vicente Ribeiro1 citation
Introduction Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder associated with suffering and disability. The serotoninergic system is implicated in the neurobiological processes of OCD and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are the first-line treatment. However, clinical improvement after starting SRIs can take long and patients may not fully recover. Meanwhile, recent data...
There has been a substantial growth in private clinics and registered clinical trials employing serotonergic psychedelics for various psychiatric illnesses, including substance use disorder[1][1],[2][2] and major depressive disorder.[3][3]–[6][4] Classical psychedelics include lysergic acid
Clinical studies suggest that psychedelics exert robust therapeutic benefits in a number of psychiatric conditions including substance use disorder. Preclinical studies focused on safety and efficacy of these compounds are necessary to determine the full range of psychedelics' effects. The present study explores the behavioral pharmacology of structurally distinct psychedelics in paradigms...
May 12, 2022Jianhao Deng, Jiaxing Zhang, QingXia Zhang et al.
Review question / Objective: To assess the evidence for serotonin syndrome occurring in the context of dextromethorphan administration. To assess concurrent medication to see if there are associations with 1) other serotonergic medication. Condition being studied: It is uncertain whether use of dextromethorphan alone or in therapeutic doses can cause Serotonin syndrome (SS). Also, SS by...
Despite the recent promising results of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine) as a psychotherapeutic agent and its history of misuse, little is known about its molecular mode of action. MDMA enhances monoaminergic neurotransmission in the brain and its valuable psychoactive effects are associated to a dual action on the 5-HT transporter (SERT). This drug inhibits the reuptake of 5-HT...