Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience

Serotonergic Psychedelics in Neural Plasticity

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Baker, J. J., Lu, J., Lukasiewicz, K., Zuo, Y.

This review (2021) summarizes what we know thus far with regards to the ability of serotonergic psychedelics to induce neural plasticity. Proposed mechanisms of action are discussed, as are the questions that need to be addressed as we move forward.

Abstract

Psychedelics, compounds that can induce dramatic changes in conscious experience, have been used by humans for centuries. Recent studies have shown that certain psychedelics can induce neural plasticity by promoting neurite growth and synapse formation. In this review, we focus on the role of classical serotonergic psychedelics in neural plasticity and discuss its implication for their therapeutic potentials.