Mini-review: The neurobiology of treating substance use disorders with classical psychedelics
Frontiers in Neuroscience April 17, 2023 Marvin M. Urban, Moritz R. Stingl, Marcus W. Meinhardt 47 citations
Since the 1960s, psychedelics have shown potential for persistently treating substance use disorders, but the biological mechanisms behind their therapeutic effects remain unclear. Serotonergic hallucinogens are known to alter gene expression and neuroplasticity, especially in prefrontal brain regions, yet how these changes specifically counteract the neuronal circuit alterations that develop during addiction is largely unknown. This narrative mini-review synthesizes established addiction research with findings and theories on the neurobiological effects of psychedelics, providing an overview of potential mechanisms underlying treatment of substance use disorders with classical hallucinogens and identifying gaps in current understanding.