LSD-induced increases in social adaptation to opinions similar to one’s own are associated with stimulation of serotonin receptors
Patricia Duerler, Leonhard Schilbach, Philipp Stämpfli, Franz X. Vollenweider, Katrin H. Preller
Scientific Reports July 22, 2020 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68899-y via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAdapting attitudes and behaviors to group norms is essential for social interaction, yet its neuropharmacology is poorly understood. In a pharmacological fMRI study, 24 healthy volunteers received placebo, LSD (100 µg), or the 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin (40 mg) plus LSD in a double-blind, crossover design. LSD increased social adaptation only when others' opinions were similar to the individual's own, and this was associated with increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex during social feedback. Pretreatment with ketanserin fully blocked LSD-induced changes, indicating a key role of the 5-HT2A system in social feedback processing.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial, double-blind, cross-over Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 24 |
| Population | Healthy human volunteers |
| Interventions | Lysergic acid diethylamide Ketanserin Placebo |
| Dose | 100 µg LSD, 40 mg ketanserin |
| Topics | LSD Serotonin |
| Keywords | Ketanserin Neurochemical Neuropharmacology Psychology 5-HT Receptor |
| Citations | 36 |
| Key finding | LSD increases social adaptation only when others' opinions align with the individual's own, and this effect is mediated by the 5-HT2A receptor system. |
Abstract
Abstract Adapting one’s attitudes and behaviors to group norms is essential for successful social interaction and, thus, participation in society. Yet, despite its importance for societal and individual functioning, the underlying neuropharmacology is poorly understood. We therefore investigated its neurochemical and neural correlates in a pharmacological functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has been shown to alter social processing and therefore provides the unique opportunity to investigate the role of the 5-HT 2A receptor in social influence processing. Twenty-four healthy human volunteers received either (1) placebo + placebo, (2) placebo + LSD (100 µg), or (3) the 5-HT 2A receptor antagonist ketanserin (40 mg) + LSD (100 µg) at three different occasions in a double-blind, randomized, counterbalanced, cross-over design. LSD increases social adaptation but only if the opinions of others are similar to the individual’s own. These increases were associated with increased activity in the medial prefrontal cortex while participants received social feedback. Furthermore, pretreatment with the 5-HT 2A antagonist ketanserin fully blocked LSD-induced changes during feedback processing, indicating a key role of the 5-HT 2A system in social feedback processing. Our results highlight the crucial role of the 5-HT-system in social influence and, thus, provide important insight into the neuropharmacological basis of social cognition and behavior.