Classic psychedelics: past uses, present trends, future possibilities
OpenAlex – September 08, 2022
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A scientific renaissance is unfolding, revealing psychedelics' profound potential for conditions like depression and addiction. Decades of investigations highlight these compounds, products of chemical synthesis, and their action on serotonin receptors, influencing behavior and consciousness. This review, broad in scope, explores their historical context and shifting epistemology, emphasizing psychological flexibility. Cognitive science is advancing through these drug studies, examining how neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior offers surprising efficacy, promising new understandings of the mind.
Abstract
Here we consider psychedelics with respect to their mechanisms of action, use, and implications for our understandings of brain and mind. This review is somewhat nontraditional in its scope, with discussions of both basic facts as well as theoretical speculations. We chose this approach given the unique historical context we find ourselves in at present. While we have decades of investigations to draw upon with respect to the clinical science and neuropsychopharmacology of psychedelics, we are also witnessing a renaissance (or perhaps a revolution) in which scientific and public interest in these compounds seems to be exploding. We have decided to split this review between the fundamental and theoretical, with hopes that we can give readers familiarity with well-established knowledge, as well as questions to hold in mind in attempting to make sense of a rapidly shifting epistemic landscape. Below we focus on serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2aR) agonists, or “classic psychedelics,” and discuss research suggesting their potential roles in clinical and non-clinical contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on studies suggesting potentially surprising degrees of efficacy for conditions such as depression and addictive disorders. We also evaluate potential mediators and moderators of therapeutic outcomes, including factors such as mystical experiences and psychological flexibility. Finally, we consider likely future directions for psychedelics in science and society.