Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew, prevents the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization in mice and reverses established sensitization. A single dose (30–500 mg/kg) blocked the initiation of behavioral sensitization without affecting spontaneous movement. Higher doses (300 and 500 mg/kg) selectively reduced both acute and sensitized responses to ethanol. Eight consecutive days of ayahuasca (100 or 300 mg/kg) after sensitization was established blocked its expression upon a subsequent ethanol challenge. The results suggest ayahuasca may inhibit early addiction-related behaviors and reverse long-term drug effects when administered in the ethanol-associated environment.
Rats that voluntarily self-administered moderate doses of MDMA (approximately 2.0–7.0 mg/kg/day) over 20 daily 2-hour sessions initially showed a drop in core body temperature after each session compared to baseline and to a control group that self-administered saline. Over time, this hypothermic response diminished, and by the final sessions core temperatures had risen above baseline. Locomotor activity during MDMA sessions was initially similar to saline levels but became significantly greater by day 8. These findings demonstrate that repeated voluntary MDMA intake leads to experience-dependent changes in temperature regulation and behavior.
Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, shows promise for treating anorexia nervosa by enhancing cognitive flexibility and modifying reward processing—two core processes disrupted in the disorder. Its effects are primarily mediated by the 5-HT2A receptor, but recent evidence indicates broader interactions with dopaminergic pathways in brain regions like the prefrontal cortex and nucleus accumbens. Rodent models demonstrate that psilocybin induces rapid and enduring neuroplastic changes, improving cognitive flexibility through complex neurochemical mechanisms. Advances in real-time neurochemical recording now allow simultaneous monitoring of serotonin and dopamine signaling, which will provide insights into their coordinated actions during cognitive performance. Further research into psilocybin's dual modulation of these systems is needed to optimize therapeutic applications for anorexia nervosa.