Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents
International Review of Psychiatry – July 04, 2018
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, once dismissed as mere hallucinogens, are revolutionizing medicine, particularly in Neuroscience and Psychology. These Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists, already showing promise for anxiety and addiction, now demonstrate potent anti-inflammatory effects in cellular and animal models. Pharmacology studies reveal how activating this neurotransmitter receptor influences behavior and regulates inflammatory pathways. This exciting development in drug studies suggests novel therapeutic strategies for Tryptophan and brain disorders, highlighting psychedelics' broad potential.
Abstract
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT)2A receptor agonists have recently emerged as promising new treatment options for a variety of disorders. The recent success of these agonists, also known as psychedelics, like psilocybin for the treatment of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and addiction, has ushered in a renaissance in the way these compounds are perceived in the medical community and populace at large. One emerging therapeutic area that holds significant promise is their use as anti-inflammatory agents. Activation of 5-HT2A receptors produces potent anti-inflammatory effects in animal models of human inflammatory disorders at sub-behavioural levels. This review discusses the role of the 5-HT2A receptor in the inflammatory response, as well as highlight studies using the 5-HT2A agonist (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI] to treat inflammation in cellular and animal models. It also examines potential mechanisms by which 5-HT2A agonists produce their therapeutic effects. Overall, psychedelics regulate inflammatory pathways via novel mechanisms, and may represent a new and exciting treatment strategy for several inflammatory disorders.