Psilocin, the active metabolite of psilocybin, produces dose-dependent inhibition of movement and suppression of normal behavior in rats, including behavioral serotonin syndrome and impaired prepulse inhibition. These effects are more pronounced in male rats than in females. The inhibition of locomotion is normalized by 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 2B/C receptor antagonists, but prepulse inhibition is not significantly affected by these antagonists. The findings highlight sex-specific reactions to psilocin and indicate that, in addition to 5-HT 2A-mediated effects, 5-HT 1A and 5-HT 2C/B receptors also play an important role, with implications for clinical trials.
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.