The structural diversity of psychedelic drug actions revealed.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 40108183.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1038/s41467-025-57956-7 and PMC identifier 11923220.
- Licence recorded as CC BY-NC-ND.
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Abstract
There is currently a resurgence in exploring the utility of classical psychedelics to treat depression, addiction, anxiety disorders, cluster headaches, and many other neuropsychiatric disorders. A biological target of these compounds, and a hypothesized target for their therapeutic actions, is the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> serotonin receptor. Here, we present 7 cryo-EM structures covering all major compound classes of psychedelic and non-psychedelic agonists, including a β-arrestin-biased compound RS130-180. Identifying the molecular interactions between various psychedelics and the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor reveals both common and distinct motifs among the examined psychedelic chemotypes. These findings lead to a broader mechanistic understanding of 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> activation, which can catalyze the development of novel chemotypes with potential therapeutic utility and fewer side effects.
Medical subject headings
- Hallucinogens
- Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A
- Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists