Role of Serotoninergic Neurons and 5-HT Receptors in the Action of Hallucinogens
Nichols, D. E.
This book chapter (2000) investigates the role of psychedelics on serotonin (5-HT) receptors. The chapter leans heavily on animal research, as at the time of publishing (but still today) human research is limited in scope.
Abstract
Brain serotonin receptors and serotoninergic pathways have received increasing attention as targets for a wide variety of therapeutic agents. Perhaps peculiar to this realm, however, are the so-called hallucinogenic drugs, which presently lack demonstrated therapeutic utility, and still remain, as they have for at least the past 50 years, pharmacological curiosities. Research into their mechanism of action is generally poorly funded, and we know relatively little about how they affect the brain, despite their continued popularity as recreational drugs among a significant proportion of the population.