Serotonergic psychedelic

While the method of action of serotonergic psychedelics is not fully understood, serotonergic psychedelics are known to show affinities for various 5-HT receptors in different ways and levels, and may be classified by their activity at different 5-HT sub-sites, such as 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_1B, 5-HT_2A, etc.

Many serotonergic psychedelics, such as the family of tryptamines, have very strong structural similarities to serotonin itself, which partially explains the affinity for certain 5-HT sites. It is almost unanimously agreed that most serotonergic psychedelics produce their effect by acting as strong partial agonists at the 5-HT_2A receptors.^{[citation needed]}

The cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical loops (also known as CSTC-loops) seem to be central to the function of psychedelics^[5], which are also regulated by the serotonergic system. These control loops connect brain areas like the frontal lobe, the striatum and the thalamus; they aggregate, process and forward internal and external information.

The disruption of the neurotransmitter balance causes these control loops to collapse overwhelmed, leading to the flooding of the frontal lobe with neuronal excitatory glutamate; internal and external stimuli as well as all kinds of non-conscious contents can freely move up to the cerebral cortex and appear as visions in consciousness.^[6][7] Furthermore, there is an over-activation of the locus coerlueus and thereby widespread norepinephrine secretion, causing a state of spiritual transcendence and sometimes even intense spiritual experiences.

Worth noting is that selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (a class of antidepressants including Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft) can increase the dosage required for hallucinogenic effects of serotonergic psychedelics in some people based on anecdotal reports. Some users, however, have found this to be entirely untrue for them, so users who are using daily antidepressants should, at first, only attempt a common dosage.

• Responsible use
• Serotonin
• Neurotransmitter
• Psychedelic
• Tryptamine
• Phenethylamine
• Lysergamide

• Serotonergic psychedelic (Wikipedia)

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• Geyer, M.A.; Nichols, D.E.; Vollenweider, F.X. (2009). "Serotonin-Related Psychedelic Drugs": 731–738. doi:10.1016/B978-008045046-9.01160-8. 
• Nichols, C. D., & Sanders-Bush, E. (2001). "Serotonin Receptor Signaling and Hallucinogenic Drug Action". Heffter Rev Psychedelic Res, 2, 73-79. https://web-beta.archive.org/web/20170110205041/https://heffter.org/docs/hrireview/02/chap5.pdf
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• Beique, J.-C.; Imad, M.; Mladenovic, L.; Gingrich, J. A.; Andrade, R. (2007). "Mechanism of the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A receptor-mediated facilitation of synaptic activity in prefrontal cortex". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 104 (23): 9870–9875. doi:10.1073/pnas.0700436104. ISSN 0027-8424. 
• Winter, J.C; Fiorella, D.J; Timineri, D.M; Filipink, R.A; Helsley, S.E; Rabin, R.A (1999). "Serotonergic Receptor Subtypes and Hallucinogen-Induced Stimulus Control". Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior. 64 (2): 283–293. doi:10.1016/S0091-3057(99)00063-5. ISSN 0091-3057. 
• Nichols, David E.; Nichols, Charles D. (2008). "Serotonin Receptors". Chemical Reviews. 108 (5): 1614–1641. doi:10.1021/cr078224o. ISSN 0009-2665. 
• Canal, C. E., & Murnane, K. S. (2017). The serotonin 5-HT2C receptor and the non-addictive nature of classic hallucinogens. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(1), 127-143. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116677104