Andrew Huberman· PhD
So compounds like LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin, my understanding, is that they primarily target the serotonin system.
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The evidence is convergent. Multiple independent sources reach the same conclusion, the underlying mechanism is well-characterized, and even the field's most cautious voices treat it as worth doing.
So compounds like LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin, my understanding, is that they primarily target the serotonin system.
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Even though psilocybin and serotonin are so similar is that psilocybin mainly binds to and activates the so-called serotonin to a receptor. The serotonin to receptors is one of, again, many different serotonin receptors. But serotonin 2A is expressed in particular areas of the brain and even on particular areas of neurons in the brain that allow for very specific types of changes in neural circuitry to take place, not just when one is under the influence of psilocybin, but afterwards as well.
psilocybin and LSD are mainly going to increase serotonin activation in the brain in fact they very closely resemble serotonin itself and they activate What's called the 5ht2a or serotonin 5hd just stands for serotonin the 5ht 2A receptor to create very mystical type experiences they are considered classic psychedelics and are very introspective and as I described in those episodes are being explored extensively now for the treatment of major depression
And serotonin acting through different receptor systems, impacting and creating very different subjective experiences.
However, one in particular, psilocybin, is one that's being most intensely and actively pursued for its capacity to treat major depressive disorder. But let's focus on psilocybin for its capacity to rewire neural circuits, and alleviate depression. There have been anecdotal data or evidence over the years that psilocybin has this capacity. How does psilocybin work? Well, psilocybin engages or increases serotonin transmission, meaning it increases the amount of serotonin, mainly by acting at these 5-HT2A receptors.
Traditionally, the psychedelics are LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide, and psilocybin, both of which augment serotonin, act through specific receptors. And the data there from the clinical trials speak to pretty impressive results in some trials in relieving major depression.
So compounds like LSD, lysurgic acid, dialomide and psilocybin, my understanding is that they primarily target the serotonin system.