WASHINGTON — Psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin, a substance found in various mushroom species, are garnering more research support as novel treatments for psychiatric disorders, but questions remain concerning who they may help the most. The findings will be presented on Tuesday, November 14, 1–2 p.m. at Neuroscience 2023 , the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience and the world’s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.
Psychiatric disorders, including phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and substance use disorder, represent a major public health issue. Current behavioral and pharmacological treatments have limited efficacy for some individuals. Researchers are looking to novel therapeutic approaches, including the use of psychedelic compounds. Interest in psychedelic treatments is growing; the US Food and Drug Administration has recently given breakthrough drug status to some psychedelic compounds for the treatment of depression and PTSD. However, the underlying biological mechanisms of these substances — and which patients and conditions could benefit from them — are still largely unknown. Researchers are working with animal models to answer questions about the therapeutic actions of psychedelic compounds.
New findings show that:
“Studies suggest that certain psychedelic compounds show promise for treating a range of psychiatric disorders,” says Frederick Barrett, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness, who studies the mechanisms underlying the effects of psychedelic drugs. “The research presented today is crucial in understanding what factors may influence the efficacy of these compounds, including sex, dose, and timing of administration.”
This research was supported by national funding agencies including the National Institutes of Health and private funding organizations. Find out more about social behavior and the brain on BrainFacts.org.
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
1–2 p.m. EST
Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Room 202B
Psychedelic Drugs Press Conference Summary
Low-dose psilocybin sex-dependently enhances fear extinction in adult rats
Phillip Zoladz, p-zoladz@onu.edu , Abstract PSTR162.03
Differential modulation of threat assessment by psilocybin and DMT
John Razidlo, jrazidlo@wisc.edu, Abstract PSTR162.02
The effect of the psychedelic psilocybin on nicotine dependence behaviors in preclinical models
Belle Buzzi, buzzib@vcu.edu, Abstract PSTR105.08
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The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is an organization of nearly 35,000 basic scientists and clinicians who study the brain and the nervous system.