Serotonergic psychedelic
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'''Serotonergic psychedelics''' (also known as '''serotonergic hallucinogens''') are a class of [[psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants|hallucinogenic]] drugs (specifically [[psychedelic drug]]s) with a method of action strongly tied to the [[serotonin]] [[neurotransmitter]]. Serotonin (often referred to as '''5-HT''', short for its full chemical name ''5-Hydroxy Tryptamine'') is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter which is tied to positive mood, certain involuntary muscle control, and countless other functions, many of which are not yet fully understood.
==Method of action==
While the method of action of serotonergic psychedelics is not fully understood, different serotonergic psychedelics are known to show affinities for different 5-HT receptors in different ways and at different levels, and may be classified by their activity at different 5-HT sub-sites, such as 5-HT<sub>1A</sub>, 5-HT<sub>1B</sub>, 5-HT<sub>2A</sub>, etc. Many serotonergic psychedelics, such as the family of [[tryptamines]], have very strong structural similarities to serotonin itself, which partially explains the affinity for certain 5-HT sites. It is almost unanimously agreed that serotonergic psychedelics produce their effect by acting as strong partial [[agonists]] at the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptors. How this produces the psychedelic experience is unclear, but it is likely that it acts by increasing excitation in the cortex, possibly by specifically facilitating input from the [[thalamus]], the major relay for sensory information input to the [[Cerebral cortex|cortex]] <ref name="nichols">{{cite journal | author=Nichols, David E. | title=Hallucinogens | journal=Pharmacology & Therapeutics | year=2004 | pages=131–81 | volume=101 | issue=2 | url=http://www.erowid.org/references/refs_view.php?A=ShowDoc1&ID=6318 | pmid=14761703 | doi=10.1016/j.pharmthera.2003.11.002}}</ref>. Worth noting is that [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]]s (a class of [[antidepressants]] including [[Paxil]], [[Prozac]], and [[Zoloft]]) strongly decrease the hallucinogenic effects of serotonergic psychedelics.{{Fact|date=March 2007}} [[Ecstasy (drug)|MDMA]]'s effect is also strongly negated by the use of SSRIs, however MDMA is generally not considered a serotonergic psychedelic, as the majority of MDMA's action appears to be through stimulating a release of serotonin, which does not appear to be the method of action of the serotonergic psychedelics.
==Examples==
Examples of Serotonergic psychedelics include [[LSD]], [[psilocybin]], [[dimethyltryptamine|DMT]] and [[mescaline]]. The tryptamines, such as DMT, psilocybin, etc structurally resemble [[serotonin]] itself, see [http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/chemistry/chemistry_compare.php?lm=serotonin_2d&rm=psilocybin_2d Erowid.org's Chem-Compare] tool, here shown comparing serotonin and psilocybin. The family of [[phenethylamines]], which includes Mescaline and many of the [[research chemical]]s such as [[2C-I]] more strongly resembles dopamine, as shown here in a [http://www.erowid.org/psychoactives/chemistry/chemistry_compare.php?lm=dopamine_2d&rm=mescaline_2d comparison of dopamine and mescaline].
==Recreational uses==
The most widely known use of serotonergic psychedelics is as [[recreational drug]]s, providing the user with a [[psychedelic experience]] known in the common slang as a ''trip''.
==Medical uses==
*There is substantial anecdotal evidence that serotonergic psychedelics may be helpful in the treatment of [[cluster headache]]s.
*There has been research, largely during the 1960s, suggesting that [[psychedelic drugs]] may be able to lead to breakthrough experiences during [[psychotherapy]]. Most of this research was centered around serotonergic psychedelics.
*During the 1960s, some therapists would self-administer [[LSD]] in an attempt to gain insight to the nature of [[Schizophrenia]] and other psychotic disorders, as the effects of LSD and various other similar psychedelic drugs were believed at the time to be [[psychotomimetic]]. However while psychedelic drug therapy is believed to have some therapeutic effect, psychotomimetic action has not been found to be a direct product of LSD or other psychedelic drug use. [[Sandoz Laboratories]] provided most of the LSD for this use under the brand-name [[Delysid]]. [[Timothy Leary]] was a noteworthy individual who initially was performing LSD research along these lines.
*Also during the 1960s, AMT ([[Alphamethyltryptamine|Alpha-Methyl-Tryptamine]]) was prescribed as an [[antidepressant]] due to its [[Monoamine oxidase inhibitor|MAO Inhibitory]] properties, mostly in the former [[Soviet Union]].
*[[Psilocybin]] and other [[5-HT2A receptor]] agonists appear to have a rapid and often sustained (after the drug has left the body) therapeutic effect on [[Obsessive-compulsive disorder]].
==References==
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==External resources==
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20050828155014/http://www.clusterheadaches.org/library/serotonin/5ht_hallucinogens.htm '''O'''rganization for '''U'''nderstanding '''C'''luster '''H'''eadaches Research Library - 5HT and Hallucinogens] (Archive.org index, Aug 28, 2005)
*[http://www.clusterbusters.com/ Cluster Busters]
[[Category:Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants]]