Psychedelics for mental health: a biochemical perspective

Abstract

Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, mescaline and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), are psychoactive substances that induce alterations in cognition, perception and sensory processing. Studies in rodent models and healthy human volunteers highlight the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor’s pivotal role in mediating hallucinogenic effects. More recent findings indicate that psychedelics induce lasting effects on neuroplasticity in preclinical models and are currently undergoing testing for their potential therapeutic effects on psychiatric conditions, including depression and anxiety. Critical questions persist, such as the necessity of the ‘trip’ for therapeutic benefits or the obstacles in establishing valid placebo groups in psychedelic studies. Despite challenges, this information supports the therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds in addressing mental disorders. However, more direct and mechanistic based preclinical studies are required to assess the extent to which this association is causal.