The molecular mechanisms through which psilocybin prevents suicide: evidence from network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses
Translational Psychiatry June 16, 2025 Ying Zhang, Lei Yang, Qiuyu Zhang et al. 6 citations
Psilocybin, a widely studied psychedelic, may help prevent suicide by interacting with specific proteins in the brain. Using computational methods, researchers identified 46 potential targets linking psilocybin to suicide treatment. Four key targets—HTR2A, HTR2C, HTR7, and PRKACA—showed strong binding to psilocybin. Enrichment analyses indicated that psilocybin might work by modulating serotonergic synapse and calcium signaling pathways. These findings suggest molecular mechanisms through which psilocybin could aid suicide prevention, providing a basis for further investigation.