Serotonin 2A Receptor Signaling Underlies LSD-induced Alteration of the Neural Response to Dynamic Changes in Music
Cerebral Cortex – September 12, 2017
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly alter music perception. Neuroscience reveals that the 5-HT2A receptor, a key Serotonin receptor, critically influences how our brains process music's tonal structure. Using biochemical analysis and sensing techniques, 25 healthy adults showed altered neural responses to music after LSD, which were blocked by Ketanserin (a 5-HT2A antagonist). This work in Cognitive Psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights the 5-HT2A receptor's role in the emotional depth and meaningfulness of music, informing Neuroscience and Music Perception.
Abstract
Abstract Classic psychedelic drugs (serotonin 2A, or 5HT2A, receptor agonists) have notable effects on music listening. In the current report, blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal was collected during music listening in 25 healthy adults after administration of placebo, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and LSD pretreated with the 5HT2A antagonist ketanserin, to investigate the role of 5HT2A receptor signaling in the neural response to the time-varying tonal structure of music. Tonality-tracking analysis of BOLD data revealed that 5HT2A receptor signaling alters the neural response to music in brain regions supporting basic and higher-level musical and auditory processing, and areas involved in memory, emotion, and self-referential processing. This suggests a critical role of 5HT2A receptor signaling in supporting the neural tracking of dynamic tonal structure in music, as well as in supporting the associated increases in emotionality, connectedness, and meaningfulness in response to music that are commonly observed after the administration of LSD and other psychedelics. Together, these findings inform the neuropsychopharmacology of music perception and cognition, meaningful music listening experiences, and altered perception of music during psychedelic experiences.