3 october 2024 : Psychedelics are often associated with counterculture movements and spiritual experiences, but they also carry risks of misuse and dependency that can negatively impact mental and physical health. However, a recent study suggests that psychedelics may offer solutions for chronic mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Conducted by neuroscientist Vidita A. Vaidya at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai, in collaboration with researchers from Cornell, Yale, and Columbia, the study indicates that psychedelics could open new treatment avenues for mental health conditions.
The research revealed a complex interaction involving the psychedelic drug, specific receptors, and particular neurons in targeted areas of the brain, which ultimately led to a reduction in anxiety-like symptoms.
Psychedelics and Brain Pathways
The study utilized the serotonergic psychedelic 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), commonly used in medical research. It was found that DOI affects fast-firing PV-positive interneurons, which in turn send calming signals to other brain regions, particularly those linked to anxiety.
In the ventral hippocampus, the intricate interactions between the drug, receptors, and neurons were shown to alleviate anxiety-like symptoms.
Vidita A. Vaidya explained that pinpointing this area of the brain took three years of research. Eventually, the ventral hippocampus was identified as the site where psychedelics exert their effects, and the specific neurons activated by the drug were mapped out. This discovery is significant in understanding how psychedelics can help reduce anxiety-like symptoms.
The findings could lead to improved treatment options for anxiety disorders and enhance our understanding of how psychedelics may effectively address chronic mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, aside from their hallucinogenic effects.
