Three Naturally-Occurring Psychedelics and Their Significance in the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders

Abstract

Classical psychedelics represent a family of psychoactive substances with structural similarities to serotonin and affinity for serotonin receptors. A growing number of studies have found that psychedelics can be effective in treating various psychiatric conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, anxiety, and substance use disorders. Mental health disorders are extremely prevalent in the general population constituting a major problem for the public health. There are a wide variety of interventions for mental health disorders, including pharmacological therapies and psychotherapies, however, treatment resistance still remains a particular challenge in this field, and relapse rates are also quite high. In recent years, psychedelics have become one of the promising new tools for the treatment of mental health disorders. In this review, we will discuss the three classic serotonergic naturally occurring psychedelics, psilocybin, ibogaine, and N, N-dimethyltryptamine, focusing on their pharmacological properties and clinical potential. The purpose of this article is to provide a focused review of the most relevant research into the therapeutic potential of these substances and their possible integration as alternative or adjuvant options to existing pharmacological and psychological therapies.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Virtual Reality: A Review on the Simulation of Psychedelic Effects for Treating Psychological Disorders

“…Psychedelic therapy is increasingly being recognized as a transformative approach to mental health care [17]. A growing body of research suggests that psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin, have significant therapeutic potential for a range of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), eating disorders, and various forms of addiction [17][18][19].…”

Application of Deuterated N,N-Dimethyltryptamine in the Potential Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders

“…The table below shows results from human hepatocytes assays conducted with D 6 -DMT and D 8 -DMT, which indicated that intrinsic clearance of D 8 -DMT displayed a 2.1 change from that of DMT (SPL026). …”