The evolution of the psychedelic revolution

Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

A non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analogue with therapeutic potential

Lindsay P. Cameron et al.

Summary: The study identifies key structural elements of the potential therapeutic pharmacophore of ibogaine and designs tabernanthalog, a safer, non-hallucinogenic analogue of ibogaine. Tabernanthalog is found to promote neural plasticity, reduce addiction-related behavior, and produce antidepressant effects in rodents. Through careful chemical design, it is possible to modify psychedelic compounds to produce safer, non-hallucinogenic variants with therapeutic potential.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Psychedelic-inspired drug discovery using an engineered biosensor

Chunyang Dong et al.

Summary: The study introduces psychLight, a genetically encoded fluorescent sensor based on the structure of 5-HT2AR, which can detect behaviorally relevant serotonin release and predict the effects of different 5-HT2AR ligands. This new technology identified a non-hallucinogenic psychedelic analog with rapid-onset and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects.

CELL (2021)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

An analog of psychedelics restores functional neural circuits disrupted by unpredictable stress

Ju Lu et al.

Summary: The study shows that TBG can reduce anxiety levels and rescue deficits in sensory processing and cognitive flexibility in mice under stress. Furthermore, TBG promotes the regrowth of excitatory neuron dendritic spines and enhances neural activity in the somatosensory cortex.

MOLECULAR PSYCHIATRY (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Medicinal

The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics May Not Be Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects

David E. Olson

Summary: Psychedelics have shown promise for treating neuropsychiatric disorders due to their ability to promote neural plasticity and produce rapid and sustained therapeutic effects, but evidence suggests that the subjective effects induced by these drugs may not be necessary for long-lasting changes in mood and behavior. Understanding the role of subjective effects in the therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics will have important implications for basic neuroscience and patient access to future medicines developed from psychedelic research.

ACS PHARMACOLOGY & TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Medicinal