Exploring Hallucinogen Pharmacology and Psychedelic Medicine with Zebrafish Models

Interest in using hallucinogens to treat brain disorders is reviving. Early studies show classic serotonergic hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin may help with addiction, PTSD, and anxiety, but basic pharmacological and toxicological questions remain. This paper discusses psychedelic medicine and the behavioral and toxic effects of hallucinogenic drugs in zebrafish, highlighting the fish as a model for screening both toxic and therapeutic effects of known and novel hallucinogenic compounds. Well-designed zebrafish studies could support the reemerging treatment paradigm of psychedelic medicine and open new clinical avenues for psychiatric disorders.

Study at a glance

Abstract

After decades of sociopolitical obstacles, the field of psychiatry is experiencing a revived interest in the use of hallucinogenic agents to treat brain disorders. Along with the use of ketamine for depression, recent pilot studies have highlighted the efficacy of classic serotonergic hallucinogens, such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin, in treating addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety. However, many basic pharmacological and toxicological questions remain unanswered with regard to these compounds. In this study, we discuss psychedelic medicine as well as the behavioral and toxicological effects of hallucinogenic drugs in zebrafish. We emphasize this aquatic organism as a model ideally suited to assess both the potential toxic and therapeutic effects of major known classes of hallucinogenic compounds. In addition, novel drugs with hallucinogenic properties can be efficiently screened using zebrafish models. Well-designed preclinical studies utilizing zebrafish can contribute to the reemerging treatment paradigm of psychedelic medicine, leading to new avenues of clinical exploration for psychiatric disorders.