Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms

Inserra, Antonio; Gregorio, Danilo De; Gobbi, Gabriella

doi:10.1124/pharmrev.120.000056

Cited by 130 publications

(138 citation statements)

References 1,090 publications

(1,491 reference statements)

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“…Given the possibility that psychiatry may encounter the prospect of psychedelic therapy in the near future [ 4 , 14 ], it would be interesting to survey Irish psychiatrists’ and psychotherapists attitudes to the evolving field of translational psychedelic science, especially considering the previous contentious relationship between psychiatry and psychedelic therapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that the synergistic combination of psychedelic compounds with psychological support may improve outcomes in major depressive disorder (MDD) [ 3 , 4 ], treatment-resistant depression (TRD) [ 5 , 6 ], and addiction disorders [ 7 – 10 ]. Exploratory studies suggest potential benefits of psilocybin therapy in OCD [ 11 ], eating disorders [ 12 ], and migraine suppression [ 13 ], with ongoing clinical trials of psychedelic therapy in MDD, TRD, bipolar disorder type II depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, smoking cessation, cocaine addiction, anorexia nervosa, depression with mild cognitive impairment, OCD, and various types of headaches [ 14 ]. Results from ongoing well-powered double-blind randomized controlled trials (RCTs) will determine whether psychedelic therapy translates into clinical benefits for non-psychotic disorders in clinical psychiatry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy

et al. 2021

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Introduction Despite the rapid advance of psychedelic science and possible translation of psychedelic therapy into the psychiatric clinic, very little is known about mental health service user attitudes. Objectives To explore mental health service user attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy. Methods A questionnaire capturing demographics, diagnoses, previous psychedelic and other drug use, and attitudes to psychedelics and psilocybin therapy was distributed to mental health service users. Results Ninety-nine participants completed the survey (52% female, mean age 42 years). The majority (72%) supported further research, with 59% supporting psilocybin as a medical treatment. A total of 27% previously used recreational psilocybin, with a male preponderance (p = 0.01). Younger age groups, those with previous psychedelic experience, and those with non-religious beliefs were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards psilocybin. A total of 55% of the total sample would accept as a treatment if doctor recommended, whereas 20% would not. Fewer people with depression/anxiety had used recreational psychedelics (p = 0.03) but were more likely to support government funded studies (p = 0.02). A minority (5%) of people with conditions (psychosis and bipolar disorder) that could be exacerbated by psilocybin thought it would be useful for them. One fifth of the total sample viewed psychedelics as addictive and unsafe even under medical supervision. Concerns included fear of adverse effects, lack of knowledge, insufficient research, illegality, and relapse if medications were discontinued. Conclusions The majority supported further research into psilocybin therapy. Younger people, those with previous recreational psychedelic experience, and those with non-religious beliefs were more likely to have favourable attitudes towards psilocybin therapy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy

et al. 2021

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“…All these psychoactive drugs can cause subjective changes in perception, thought, emotion, and consciousness, although with a different mechanism. From preclinical studies, it is clear that the mechanism of hallucinogens is more complex than thought before since their effects on the 5-HT and glutamatergic system as well as their capacity to modulate transcriptional mechanisms seem to emerge very clearly (for review, see Inserra et al, 2021). Importantly, clinical studies have demonstrated the effects of ketamine in treatment-resistant MDD (Marcantoni et al, 2020).…”

Section: Mdma In Clinical Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine

et al. 2020

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A revamped interest in the study of hallucinogens has recently emerged, especially with regard to their potential application in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. In the last decade, a plethora of preclinical and clinical studies have confirmed the efficacy of ketamine in the treatment of depression. More recently, emerging evidence has pointed out the potential therapeutic properties of psilocybin and LSD, as well as their ability to modulate functional brain connectivity. Moreover, MDMA, a compound belonging to the family of entactogens, has been demonstrated to be useful to treat post-traumatic stress disorders. In this review, the pharmacology of hallucinogenic compounds is summarized by underscoring the differences between psychedelic and nonpsychedelic hallucinogens as well as entactogens, and their behavioral effects in both animals and humans are described. Together, these data substantiate the potentials of these compounds in treating mental diseases.

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“…The therapeutic and pro-neuroplastic effects of psychedelics may also be linked to their anti-inflammatory action ( Inserra et al. , 2021 ).…”

Section: Stress and Inflammationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Catalysts for change: the cellular neurobiology of psychedelics

Banks

Zahid

Jones

et al. 2021

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The resurgence of interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders has rekindled efforts to elucidate their mechanism of action. In this Perspective, we focus on the ability of psychedelics to promote neural plasticity, postulated to be central to their therapeutic activity. We begin with a brief overview of the history and behavioral effects of the classical psychedelics. We then summarize our current understanding of the cellular and subcellular mechanisms underlying these drugs’ behavioral effects, their effects on neural plasticity, and the roles of stress and inflammation in the acute and long-term effects of psychedelics. The signaling pathways activated by psychedelics couple to numerous potential mechanisms for producing long-term structural changes in the brain, a complexity that has barely begun to be disentangled. This complexity is mirrored by that of the neural mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders and the transformations of consciousness, mood, and behavior that psychedelics promote in health and disease. Thus, beyond changes in the brain, psychedelics catalyze changes in our understanding of the neural basis of psychiatric disorders, as well as consciousness and human behavior.

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Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms

Cited by 130 publications

References 1,090 publications

Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy

Psychedelic perceptions: mental health service user attitudes to psilocybin therapy

Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine

Catalysts for change: the cellular neurobiology of psychedelics

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