Cancel your trip: Scientists identify psychedelic drug without hallucinogenic side effects
A newly discovered compound could encourage neural plasticity without causing hallucinations.
By Thomas Ling
Published: 30th April, 2021 at 12:56
Psychedelics are showing increasing promise in treating a range of psychiatric illnesses, from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But these drugs traditionally have one major drawback: hallucinogenic side effects that could complicate recovery.
However, scientists have now identified a compound that could prompt psychedelic benefits in the brain without the potential bad trip.
As published in Cell journal, the discovery was made due to psychLight, a new genetically encoded fluorescent sensor that can predict whether a molecule could activate serotonin receptors likely to cause hallucinations.
When testing the compound (called AAZ-A-154) on mice, the researchers found it caused antidepressant activity in the brain.
More:
https://www.sciencefocus.com/news/psychedelic-no-hallucinogenic-drug/
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