Psychedelics and Personality
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – June 04, 2018
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelics like psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and ayahuasca are showing significant promise in treating mood and anxiety disorders. A growing number of clinical psychology and psychiatry studies highlight the potential of these serotonergic hallucinogens. Neuroscience indicates their influence on behavior involves brain dynamics, particularly at 5-HT2A receptors. While the mechanisms of these drug studies are still being understood, these compounds, often derived from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, represent a hopeful avenue for mental health. Their impact on psychology is transforming treatment paradigms.
Abstract
In the past decade, an increasing number of clinical trials are reporting evidence that psychedelics or serotonergic hallucinogens (such as lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, and ayahuasca/dimethyltryptamine) could be effective in the treatment of mood, anxiety, and substance use disorders. The mechanisms responsible for these effects are not fully understood but seem to involve changes in bran dynamics in areas rich in serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors and in personality. In the present text, we present a brief and critical overview of the current research in this field, pointing out both promises and limitations of these studies.