This review (2020) of the therapeutic potential of psychedelics (serotonergic hallucinogens) highlights the research that show both acute and long-term (subacute) positive effects after therapeutic psychedelic use.

Abstract

“Serotoninergic hallucinogens include drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and psilocybin. Recent trials with single/few doses of these compounds show that they induce rapid and sustained antidepressive, anxiolytic, and antiaddictive effects. These effects are also observed in religious groups using the DMT-containing brew ayahuasca. The agonist action of these substances on 5-HT2A receptors expressed in frontal and limbic areas increase glutamatergic transmission and neuroplasticity. These neurochemical effects are associated with acute alterations on self-perception and increases in introspection and positive mood, and with subacute and long-term decreases in psychiatric symptoms, increases in some personality traits such as openness, improvements in emotional processing, and increases in empathy. These are preliminary but promising results that should be further explored in controlled trials with larger sample sizes, especially considering that these compounds could be beneficial in the treatment of treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders.”

Authors: Rafael G. dos Santos & Jaime E. C. Hallak

Notes

This paper is included in our ‘Top 10 Articles Introducing Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy‘

Highlights from the authors:

“Serotoninergic hallucinogens are agonists at frontal and limbic 5-HT_2A receptors
Controlled trials with these drugs report anxiolytic and anti-depressive effects
Open-label trials report anti-addictive effects
Biological mechanisms include neuroplasticity and fronto-limbic activation
Psychological mechanisms include enhanced social cognition and openness to experience”