In the last decade, discussions around psychedelics have exploded, driven in part by research showing their safety and efficacy in treating a number of mental health conditions ranging from depression to anxiety to addiction. Psychedelic molecules have obvious, dramatic effects on our thinking and mood. But when it comes to understanding exactly how they exert these effects on our brains, things are a little less clear. Though the mechanisms of each psychedelic may differ, researchers have noted several overarching themes. Here are five of the top ways that psychedelic molecules may influence our brain function.
1. Affecting neurotransmitters and their receptors
Perhaps the most commonly cited effect of psychedelic drugs relates to their influence on neurotransmitters — chemical signaling molecules in the brain. Many psychedelics are thought to work by acting on a site for the neurotransmitter serotonin called the 2A receptor. Psychedelic binding to the 2A receptor on neurons in the brain’s cortex seems to be a major driver of their mind-altering effects.