This new study demonstrates for the first time that regular administration of dlow dose of LSD reduces anxiety symptoms in mice. But while the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes is fashionable. The scientific evidence that supports its efficacy and explains its mode of action in the treatment of disorders of mental health it is still very scarce.
New study demonstrates for the first time that low doses of LSD reduce anxiety symptoms
Although preliminary studies suggest that the microdosing assisted psychotherapy was effective in relieving anxiety. As well as the depressive symptoms in people with psychiatric problems or severe neurological events, the biological mechanisms underlying these effects were unclear to date.
The new study demonstrates for the first time that regular administration of low doses of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). Reduces symptoms of anxiety in mice through neurobiological mechanisms that are similar to some classes of antidepressants and anxiolytics commonly prescribed. What; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs are better known by their trade names: Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Cipralex, etc.
“Our lack of knowledge of the biological processes associated with psychedelic drugs hampers the development of potential new treatments.” Says Gabriella Gobbi, lead scientist. “Understanding the mechanisms of action and efficacy of psychedelics will allow us to develop a more precise indication of hallucinogenic drugs for psychiatric and neurological conditions,” she says.
LSD AND SEROTONIN
The study, which appears in magazine Neuropsychopharmacology, was conducted in collaboration with researchers in psychiatry from McGill University. As well as researchers in neuroscience at Vita Salute San Raffaele University and in Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences at the University of Padua, Italy.
According to the study results, the use of LSD increases nerve transmission of serotonin, also called 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Serotonin is a neurotransmitter It plays an essential role in the state of well-being. It has been shown that prolonged periods of stress cause a decrease in the activity of the neurons that transmit serotonin (5-HT neurons).
Like SSRI antidepressants, it is believed to LSD desensitizes receptors. This decreases the electrical activity of serotonin in these neurons, thus stimulating them to release more serotonin.
The Gobbi study also found that low doses of LSD promoted the formation of new dendritic spines in rodents. These spines are the branches of the neurons that are responsible for transmitting electrical signal to the body of nerve cells.
NEW OPTIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH
More studies are needed to demonstrate the drug efficacy for depressive disorders and anxiety in humans and the inherent mechanisms of action. Another study by Gobbi, published in 2016, had already shown that low doses of LSD they affected only the nerve transmission of serotonin, while higher doses affected the dopamine system, causing the psychotic effects.
However, there has been no great progress in psychiatric care in the last decade. So it is essential to develop new therapeutic alternativesas for a proportion of people with serious mental health problems, current treatments are not working.
LSD, psilocybin, ayahuasca and MDMA are among the medicines being developed to treat various psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, disorder post traumatic stress and addictionas well as certain neurodegenerative diseases.
But there is still a long way to go, says Gobbi.
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