Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics: A comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models

Ask your competent? doctor EXACTLY HOW THEY ARE GUARANTEEING NEUROPLASTICITY OCCURENCE!

41 pages in all.

 Neuroplasticity and Psychedelics: A comprehensive examination of classic and non-classic compounds in pre and clinical models

Claudio Agnorelli1,2 , 

Meg Spriggs1 , 

Kate Godfrey 1 , 

Gabriela Sawicka 1 , 

Bettina Bohl3 , 

Hannah Douglass1 , 

Andrea Fagiolini2 , 

Hashemi Parastoo 3 , 

Robin Carhart-Harris1,4 , 

David Nutt1 , and 

David Erritzoe1 

1 Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Department of Brain Science, Imperial College of London, UK. 

2 Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Italy 3 Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College of London, UK 

4 Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, Carhart-Harris Lab, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA

Abstract

Neuroplasticity, the ability of the nervous system to adapt throughout an organism's lifespan, offers potential as both a biomarker and treatment target for neuropsychiatric conditions. Psychedelics, a burgeoning category of drugs, are increasingly prominent in psychiatric research, prompting inquiries into their mechanisms of action. Distinguishing themselves from traditional medications, psychedelics demonstrate rapid and enduring therapeutic effects after a single or few administrations, believed to stem from their neuroplasticity-enhancing properties. This review examines how classic psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin, N,N-DMT) and non-classic psychedelics (e.g., ketamine, MDMA) influence neuroplasticity. Drawing from preclinical and clinical studies, we explore the molecular, structural, and functional changes triggered by these agents. Animal studies suggest psychedelics induce heightened sensitivity of the nervous system to environmental stimuli (meta-plasticity), re-opening developmental windows for long-term structural changes (hyper-plasticity), with implications for mood and behavior. Translating these findings to humans faces challenges due to limitations in current imaging techniques. Nonetheless, promising new directions for human research are emerging, including the employment of novel positron-emission tomography (PET) radioligands, non-invasive brain stimulation methods, and multimodal approaches. By elucidating the interplay between psychedelics and neuroplasticity, this review informs the development of targeted interventions for neuropsychiatric disorders and advances

understanding of psychedelics' therapeutic potential.