SPEED KILLS –
Aug. 28, 2024 – The study aims to determine whether psychedelics, such as psilocybin, could offer a new way to treat meth addiction.
Researchers will focus on understanding how these substances work at a molecular level, which could lead to developing new drugs that harness the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics without causing intense psychoactive experiences. “Psychedelics appear to have significant therapeutic activity against different types of substance abuse and other psychiatric disorders,” said Adam Halberstadt, director of the UCSD Center for Psychedelic Research.
However, he noted that “existing psychedelics induce intensive psychoactive effects and can also induce side effects in some individuals, complicating the clinical use of these substances and restricting their widespread application.”
The research will pay particular attention to the serotonin receptor 5-HT2A, a key player in the psychedelic effects of these substances.
“Our research aims to unravel the precise mechanisms through which psychedelics influence the 5-HT2A receptor,” McCorvey added. “Understanding that could lead to lessening their psychoactive effect and open the door to new treatments.
