Psychedelics may be able to strengthen the connection between two brain regions key to treating depression, according to new research in rats.
With growing interest in using psychedelic drugs to treat mental health disorders, researchers have explored the effects of a psychedelic derivative of amphetamine on rat brains.
They wanted to see how it affects the brain cells connected to thinking and emotion.
The researchers found a specific pathway in the brain that psychedelics act on, which they believe contributes to neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form and strengthen new connections.
While many people may consider psychedelics to be solely a recreational drug, research indicates that this drug class can be helpful in treating mental health issues such as depression and addiction.
The researchers in the new study aimed to better understand how psychedelics impact the brain, particularly the neurons involved in thought and emotion. For that, they used the psychedelic DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine) on rats.
