The Effects of Tryptamine Psychedelics in the Brain: A meta-Analysis of Functional and Review of Molecular Imaging Studies
Frontiers in Pharmacology September 29, 2021 João Castelhano, Gisela Lima, Marta Teixeira et al. 34 citations
Tryptamine psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and ayahuasca alter brain activation and connectivity in regions that match the distribution of 5HT2A and 5HT1A receptors, including visual cortex, cingulate cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, temporal cortex, and the right amygdala. These effects involve areas supporting mental imagery, theory of mind, and emotional regulation, suggesting potential therapeutic applications. The analysis confirms that changes occur in regions with high 5HT2A receptor density, but also in other areas like the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. However, too few PET studies exist to meta-analyze receptor occupancy directly.