Review
Advances in the antidepressant actions and potential mechanisms of psychedelics
Liu Denong, Yu Zhipeng, Xu Peng, Lou Zhongze, Ruan Liemin, Shen Haowei
Published 2023-06-05
Cite as Chin J Psychiatry, 2023, 56(3): 199-204. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn113661-20220715-00193
Abstract
Major antidepressants for the treatment of depression have several shortcomings such as delayed therapeutic action, limited remission rate and various adverse effects. Psychedelics are a group of psychoactive substances that can improve perception, mood and cognition. An increasing body of evidence shows that psychedelics positively promote individual social functioning and have a rapid and sustained improvement in moderate or severe depression. Therefore, the antidepressant effects of psychedelics have gained increasing attentions in recent years. This review summarizes the progress of research on the antidepressant effects of some representative psychedelics and their potential mechanisms of antidepressant action, and discusses the risks of clinical application of psychedelics.
Key words:
Hallucinogen; Depressive disorder; Receptor, serotonin, 5-HT2A
Contributor Information
Liu Denong
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo 315211, China
Yu Zhipeng
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo 315211, China
Xu Peng
Ministry of Public Security Drug Intelligence Center, Beijing 100080, China
Lou Zhongze
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315010, China
Ruan Liemin
Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Ningbo First Hospital, Ningbo 315010, China
Shen Haowei
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Ningbo University School of Medicine, Ningbo 315211, China
