Abstract
Scientific interest in serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin and LSD; 5-HT2A receptor agonists) has dramatically increased within the last decade. Clinical studies administering psychedelics with psychotherapy have shown preliminary evidence of robust efficacy in treating anxiety and depression, as well as addiction to tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, recent research has suggested that these compounds have potential efficacy against inflammatory diseases through novel mechanisms, with potential advantages over existing antiinflammatory agents. We propose that psychedelics exert therapeutic effects for psychiatric disorders by acutely destabilizing local brain network hubs and global network connectivity via amplification of neuronal avalanches, providing the occasion for brain network “resetting” after the acute effects have resolved. Antiinflammatory effects may hold promise for efficacy in treatment of inflammation-related nonpsychiatric as well as potentially for psychiatric disorders. Serotonergic psychedelics operate through unique mechanisms that show promising effects for a variety of intractable, debilitating, and lethal disorders, and should be rigorously researched.
| Language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages | 209-219 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics |
| Volume | 101 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 1 2017 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pharmacology
- Pharmacology (medical)
Cite this
Psychedelics as Medicines : An Emerging New Paradigm. / Nichols, D. E.; Johnson, Matthew W; Nichols, C. D.
In: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 101, No. 2, 01.02.2017, p. 209-219.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychedelics as Medicines
T2 - Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
AU - Nichols, D. E.
AU - Johnson, Matthew W
AU - Nichols, C. D.
PY - 2017/2/1
Y1 - 2017/2/1
N2 - Scientific interest in serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin and LSD; 5-HT2A receptor agonists) has dramatically increased within the last decade. Clinical studies administering psychedelics with psychotherapy have shown preliminary evidence of robust efficacy in treating anxiety and depression, as well as addiction to tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, recent research has suggested that these compounds have potential efficacy against inflammatory diseases through novel mechanisms, with potential advantages over existing antiinflammatory agents. We propose that psychedelics exert therapeutic effects for psychiatric disorders by acutely destabilizing local brain network hubs and global network connectivity via amplification of neuronal avalanches, providing the occasion for brain network “resetting” after the acute effects have resolved. Antiinflammatory effects may hold promise for efficacy in treatment of inflammation-related nonpsychiatric as well as potentially for psychiatric disorders. Serotonergic psychedelics operate through unique mechanisms that show promising effects for a variety of intractable, debilitating, and lethal disorders, and should be rigorously researched.
AB - Scientific interest in serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin and LSD; 5-HT2A receptor agonists) has dramatically increased within the last decade. Clinical studies administering psychedelics with psychotherapy have shown preliminary evidence of robust efficacy in treating anxiety and depression, as well as addiction to tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, recent research has suggested that these compounds have potential efficacy against inflammatory diseases through novel mechanisms, with potential advantages over existing antiinflammatory agents. We propose that psychedelics exert therapeutic effects for psychiatric disorders by acutely destabilizing local brain network hubs and global network connectivity via amplification of neuronal avalanches, providing the occasion for brain network “resetting” after the acute effects have resolved. Antiinflammatory effects may hold promise for efficacy in treatment of inflammation-related nonpsychiatric as well as potentially for psychiatric disorders. Serotonergic psychedelics operate through unique mechanisms that show promising effects for a variety of intractable, debilitating, and lethal disorders, and should be rigorously researched.
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U2 - 10.1002/cpt.557
DO - 10.1002/cpt.557
M3 - Article
VL - 101
SP - 209
EP - 219
JO - Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
JF - Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
SN - 0009-9236
IS - 2
ER -