Scientists modify psychedelic compound from toad venom, finding potential for treating depression without the hallucinogenic effects.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, roughly 9.5 percent of American adults ages 18 and over will suffer from a depressive illness each year. Moreover, women are twice as likely as men to experience major depression.
This finding could aid the development of new medications for neuropsychiatric disorders by uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. “We became intrigued by numerous reports of powerful, unique, and life-changing experiences associated with its ritualistic or experimental clinical use, which made us wonder about its therapeutic potential and the underlying mechanisms,” study author David Lankri, a neuropharmacologist at the Chemistry Department of Columbia University, toldIn experiments with mice, a modified version of 5-MeO-DMT showed the potential to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
In summary, the interaction of a compound found in Colorado River toad venom with a serotonin receptor produced effects similar to those of anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications in animal models.According to the study, a combination of cryo-EM structures of 5-HT1A was analyzed in addition to studies about systematic medicinal chemistry, receptor mutagenesis, and mouse behavior. This helped map the molecular underpinnings of 5-MeO-DMT pharmacology.
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