Mechanism behind LSD’s therapeutic potential uncovered
A new study has identified why the drug causes sociable behaviour, which could lead to treatments for mental disorders
It has long been noted that small doses of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), can promote empathy and produce a feeling of a greater connection to the world in those who take it. But until now, the reason why this happened was unknown.
Now, researchers from McGill University in Canada have discovered one of the possible mechanisms that contributes to the drug’s ability to produce these effects. The breakthrough could pave the way towards using the drug to treat mental health problems such as anxiety and alcohol-use disorder.
The researchers administered a low dose of LSD to a group of mice over a period of seven days and noticed that it led to an increase in their social interactions. Then, using optogenetics
– a cutting-edge technique that allows
specific areas of the brain to be activated
and deactivated using light signals – they found that the increased sociability
occurred because LSD activates specific
areas of the brain’s prefrontal cortex called the serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and AMPA receptors.
Now, the researchers are keen to test the effectiveness of LSD in treating mice selectively bred to display behaviours similar to those seen in people with social anxiety disorders or autism.
They then hope to eventually explore whether microdoses of LSD might have a similar effect in humans, and whether it could also be a viable and safe therapeutic option.
“Social interaction is a fundamental characteristic of human behaviour,” said co-lead researcher Dr Gabriella Gobbi, a professor in the department of psychiatry at McGill University.
“These hallucinogenic compounds, which, at low doses, are able to increase sociability, may help us to better understand the pharmacology and neurobiology of social behaviour and, ultimately, to develop and discover novel and safer drugs for mental disorders,” she added.
WARNING: LSD is a Class A drug according to UK law. Anyone caught in possession of such substances will face up to seven years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both. More information and support for those affected by substance abuse problems can be found at bit.ly/drug_support