Editorial: Old and new psychoactive substances: Pharmacology and potential applications
Frontiers in Psychiatry January 4, 2023 Felix P. Mayer, Dino Luethi, Lorena B. Areal et al. 1 citation
Psychoactive substances have been consumed throughout human history, first from plants and fungi, then isolated compounds like cocaine, and later synthetic drugs such as LSD. Many recreational drugs also have clinical uses, e.g., amphetamines for ADHD. New psychoactive substances (NPS) have expanded the drug market and improved understanding of structure-activity relationships. Recent clinical trials are reevaluating psychedelics like psilocybin and MDMA for conditions such as depression and PTSD. This special issue includes studies on synthetic opioids, NBOMe derivatives, psilocybin's anxiolytic effects in healthy volunteers, psilocybin reducing body weight in obese rats, and reviews linking mystical experiences to symptom reduction. The collection highlights both risks and therapeutic potential of psychoactive compounds.