New Research Reveals Psychedelics Impact a Broader Range of Neurons Than Previously Thought

Recent findings from the University of Michigan challenge long-held assumptions about how psychedelic substances influence the brain. Traditionally, it was believed that these compounds primarily affected neurons in the frontal cortex that possess serotonin 2A receptors, which are crucial for mood regulation, perception, and cognition. However, a new study published in Molecular Psychiatry demonstrates that psychedelics alter the activity of a much larger population of neurons across various brain regions, including those lacking these receptors.

The research involved analyzing gene expression in neurons throughout the cortex, revealing that many regions such as the retrosplenial cortex—an area vital for memory, spatial orientation, and future self-imagination—are devoid of serotonin 2A receptors. Despite this, psychedelic treatment still induced significant neuroplasticity, including increased synapse formation, suggesting that these non-receptor neurons also respond to psychedelics.

By employing genetic engineering techniques like CRISPR-Cas, the scientists uncovered that psychedelics can promote connectivity in neurons without the traditional receptor. This expands the understanding of their mechanisms, suggesting a more widespread impact on neural networks than previously believed. Such insights could have profound implications for expanding psychedelic therapies beyond mood disorders to conditions like Alzheimer's disease and PTSD, where these brain regions are compromised.

Senior author Omar Ahmed emphasized that fully understanding how psychedelics influence neural circuits is essential for developing effective and safe treatments. While caution is advised due to potential effects on unintended neurons, the findings open promising avenues for brain repair and neuroplasticity in neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

This breakthrough enhances the scientific comprehension of psychedelic action and underscores the need for further research to harness their full therapeutic potential.