A recent study has shed light on the potential modification of a psychedelic drug to eliminate its psychedelic effects while retaining therapeutic benefits. The research focused on the interaction of the psychedelic drug 5-MeO-DMT with serotonin receptors, particularly the serotonin 1A receptor.

Researchers, including Daniel Wacker, Ph.D., from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Dalibor Sames, Ph.D., from Columbia University, utilized cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) along with medicinal chemistry and live mouse experiments to investigate how psychedelics interact with serotonin receptors at the molecular level.

Serotonin, a neurotransmitter found throughout the brain, interacts with various receptors, including the serotonin 1A and 2A receptors. The serotonin 2A receptor is crucial for excitatory neurons and serves as the primary target for psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin. These drugs, known as agonists, bind to the 2A serotonin receptor, triggering intracellular signaling.

The study suggests that by targeting the serotonin 1A receptor with a modified version of the drug, it may be possible to eliminate psychedelic effects while preserving therapeutic potential. This research opens up new possibilities for the development of modified psychedelic drugs that could be used to treat psychiatric illnesses such as depression and PTSD.