Psychedelic compounds, including ketamine and LSD, have gained renewed interest as potential treatments for neuropsychiatric disorders. These compounds act as psychoplastogens, promoting neuronal growth by activating AMPA receptors, TrkB, and mTOR. The prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in their therapeutic effects through top-down control over brain regions involved in motivation, fear, and reward. Some of these compounds exhibit antidepressant effects by enhancing synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis while also demonstrating anxiolytic properties through the modulation of fear circuits. Additionally, they show promise as anti-addictive agents by disrupting addictive patterns and promoting neuroplasticity. The exploration of how psychedelic substances can be therapeutically beneficial reveals new opportunities for addressing conditions like major depressive disorder, anxiety, and addiction.
Published 2023 by American Chemical Society.