Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelics on Synaptic Function and Neuroplasticity
OPUS FAU - Online publication system of Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg January 1, 2026 Aneta Petrušková
Serotonergic psychedelics LSD, psilocin, and DMT inhibit neurotransmission by reducing the proportion of synaptic vesicles that fuse in response to electrical stimulation after 3–30 minutes of treatment, an effect that disappears after 24 hours. DMT and psilocin increase evoked responses at glutamatergic synapses following single stimulation, while psilocin decreases paired-pulse facilitation. LSD and psilocin reduce evoked presynaptic calcium transients. At the network level, LSD and DMT strongly inhibit spontaneous neuronal firing without altering evoked responses. These findings expand understanding of the acute synaptic effects of psychedelics, though the link to therapeutic outcomes requires further research.