Psychoactive substances for the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
Asian journal of psychiatry November 1, 2024 Zifan Zhen, Xueqiang Sun, Shiying Yuan et al. 8 citations
A review of hallucinogens, MDMA, and ketamine for severe mental health disorders describes their mechanisms and clinical outcomes. Hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin target 5-HT2A receptors, inducing perceptual shifts that aid therapy for depression and anxiety. MDMA influences serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, alleviating PTSD symptoms by enhancing emotional engagement during psychotherapy. Ketamine, a glutamate receptor antagonist, rapidly relieves symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. These substances show promise for patients unresponsive to traditional treatments but require careful dosage, monitoring, and risk management to prevent abuse and adverse effects.