Psilocin, the main metabolite of psilocybin and an agonist at 5-HT2A receptors, dose-dependently impaired spatial learning and memory retrieval in rats but did not affect memory consolidation. In the Carousel maze, both 1 and 4 mg/kg doses significantly impaired acquisition, with the higher dose blocking learning even in a subsequent saline session. In the Morris water maze, only the 4 mg/kg dose disrupted reinforced retrieval; the lower dose had no effect. Neither dose impaired memory consolidation when injected post-training. These findings suggest that 5-HT2A receptor activation disrupts certain cognitive processes relevant to schizophrenia models, though the validity of such animal models remains questioned due to the complexity of human cognition.
The synthetic compound 2C-B produces a biphasic effect on movement in rats: initial inhibition followed by excitation, while amphetamine only causes hyperactivity. Both drugs disrupt prepulse inhibition of the acoustic startle reaction, a measure of sensory gating, but have opposite effects on the startle itself. 2C-B increases dopamine and decreases its metabolite DOPAC in the nucleus accumbens, a brain region linked to reward. Low doses of 2C-B reduce electrical brain activity and connectivity; a high dose first decreases then increases brain wave power and connectivity. Increases in theta and alpha brain waves correlate with heightened movement and dopamine levels. These results suggest 2C-B shares properties with hallucinogens, entactogens, and stimulants, and its dopamine effects may indicate psychotomimetic and addictive potential.