Psychotomimetic compensation versus sensitization.
Pharmacology research & perspectives August 1, 2024 Ari Brouwer, Robin L. Carhart‐Harris, Charles L. Raison 5 citations
Psychotomimetic drugs—such as amphetamines, cannabis, psychedelics, and dissociatives—can paradoxically relieve symptoms like attention deficits, pain, and depression, which themselves increase the risk of psychosis or co-occur with it. The authors propose two concepts to explain this paradox. Psychotomimetic compensation describes a short-term, drug-induced relief from stress, mediated by neurotransmitter systems including endocannabinoid, serotonergic, glutamatergic, and dopaminergic pathways. Psychotomimetic sensitization occurs after repeated stress or drug exposure, gradually intensifying psychotic-like experiences over time. The model has theoretical and practical implications.