New research from UC Davis may be the first step to understanding one of the key questions about psychedelic medicine: how do psychedelics work, and what makes them different from other mental health medications?
While clinical evidence supporting psychedelics’ potential for treating mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, and substance use disorder is building, it is still unclear exactly how psychedelics work.
Multiple studies have confirmed that psychedelics increase connections between cortical neurons, which may help create new connections in the brain, helping it to rewire itself. There is also general consensus among researchers that one particular receptor on brain cells, called “5-HT2A,” is key. The 5-HT2A receptors are activated by a variety of pharmaceutical drugs as well as all psychedelics. But strangely, none of the pharmaceutical drugs that activate these receptors create hallucinogenic effects that psychedelics do.
While investigating why that might be the case, researchers found that this difference might be down to the location of the receptors involved. Unlike most cells in the body, cortical neurons have 5-HT2A receptors both on the outside and inside. Serotonin cannot activate 5-HT2A receptors located inside of certain brain cells — but psychedelics can. This difference could explain why psychedelics invoke hallucinations where traditional pharmaceuticals do not, and could be the first step to understanding how exactly psychedelics work to improve mental health conditions.
For many of us, thinking about how to improve gut health can seem like a daunting task. After all, it’s not something we often give much thought to. But the truth is, our gut plays an essential role in our overall wellness and vitality—so ensuring its optimal functioning is quite important.
Chaga mushrooms are a species of fungi packed with essential nutrients and compounds, making them ideal for incorporating into your diet and lifestyle. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at the health benefits associated with consuming chaga mushrooms — from boosting immunity and fighting inflammation to providing sustainable energy.
Psychedelics and religion are deeply intertwined. Entheogens, or psychoactive substances which are thought to produce divine experiences, have been part of spiritual practices since ancient
Lion’s mane mushrooms have gained popularity in recent years for their potential health benefits. These fascinating fungi have become a staple in many natural wellness communities, leaving some to wonder: is lion’s mane a psychedelic? The short answer is no. Lion’s mane mushrooms do not contain any psychedelic properties. That doesn’t mean they aren’t beneficial though.