The renaissance in psychedelic research: What do preclinical models have to offer.

Human research with psychedelics is producing groundbreaking discoveries, modifying enduring personality traits and reducing anxiety, depression, and substance dependence in small but well-designed clinical studies. Psychedelics are advancing through pharmaceutical regulatory systems, and neuroimaging has related their effects to select brain networks. However, preclinical studies have lagged behind this renaissance. Preclinical research offers tight control of experimental parameters, subjects with documented drug histories, and the ability to elucidate signaling cascades and conduct invasive mechanistic studies. Safety pharmacology, biomarkers, and pharmacokinetics can be assessed in disease models to advance psychedelics toward clinical practice. This chapter argues that new preclinical studies would benefit the field.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Human research with psychedelics is making groundbreaking discoveries. Psychedelics modify enduring elements of personality and seemingly reduce anxiety, depression, and substance dependence in small but well-designed clinical studies. Psychedelics are advancing through pharmaceutical regulatory systems, and neuroimaging studies have related their extraordinary effects to select brain networks. This field is making significant basic science and translational discoveries, yet preclinical studies have lagged this renaissance in human psychedelic research. Preclinical studies have a lot to offer psychedelic research as they afford tight control of experimental parameters, subjects with documented drug histories, and the capacity to elucidate relevant signaling cascades as well as conduct invasive mechanistic studies of neurochemistry and neural circuits. Safety pharmacology, novel biomarkers, and pharmacokinetics can be assessed in disease state models to advance psychedelics toward clinical practice. This chapter documents the current status of psychedelic research, with the thematic argument that new preclinical studies would benefit this field.