The promises and perils of psychedelic pharmacology for psychiatry
UNC Libraries June 12, 2024 D Mwende . Muthoni, Roth B.l
Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, DMT, and LSD show promise for treating neuropsychiatric diseases, with phase II trials indicating that one or two doses of psilocybin can produce significant clinical effects for depression and anxiety. This has spurred commercial interest, with nearly 60 companies exploring psychedelic treatments. While the 5-HT2A receptor is known to mediate behavioral effects, it remains unclear which aspects of its activity in the central nervous system drive therapeutic outcomes and whether these can be isolated using novel chemical probes. The article discusses controversies and consensus in this field and highlights how basic science may guide development of psychedelic-inspired medications that offer efficacy without hallucinogenic or rewarding effects.