The mechanism of hallucinations caused by lysergic acid diethylamide
MedScien June 6, 2024 Chaoyi Fan, Jiayi Li, Shaohuan Yu
LSD induces hallucinations by activating 5-HT2A receptors in the serotonin system, a mechanism distinct from other hallucinogens. Functional MRI shows changes in cerebral blood flow from LSD. This research reviews nearly 50 years of molecular and neuroanatomical evidence linking LSD's hallucinatory effects to perceptual disorders and other diseases, potentially identifying new treatments. Understanding this mechanism may aid in developing therapies and clarifying physiological changes from drugs.