Discovering Psychedelics Produced Naturally in the Human Body
The human body is a marvel of biology, brimming with chemicals that enable life. Hormones keep our systems in balance, neurotransmitters manage our emotions and sensations, and enzymes facilitate countless biochemical reactions. But here’s an intriguing twist: our bodies might also produce their own psychedelics.
This concept isn’t new. In the 1950s, scientists stumbled upon traces of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in mammals, including humans. Early hypotheses tied these substances to mental health disorders, yet those connections never fully materialized, and the research fell by the wayside. Now, with psychedelics gaining attention for their therapeutic potential, the idea of naturally occurring hallucinogens in the body is back in the spotlight.
How Psychedelics Could Influence the Brain
Psychedelics are showing promise as tools for healing the brain, offering solutions to mental health challenges like depression and PTSD. Dr. David Olson, head of the UC Davis Institute for Psychedelics and Neurotherapeutics, explains that these compounds promote the growth of neural connections. Imagine neurons as trees in a forest: in a healthy brain, they form dense, interconnected networks. Conditions like depression are akin to a forest in winter, with withered, disconnected trees. Psychedelics stimulate regrowth, restoring vibrant “canopies” of connections.
The effects are not just immediate but long-lasting. A single dose of substances like psilocybin or ketamine can spark weeks or months of neural recovery. These findings suggest that psychedelics could be revolutionary for treating conditions that traditional medications struggle to address.
Towards Safer, More Accessible Treatments
One of the most significant challenges in psychedelic therapy is the hallucinogenic experience, which isn’t suitable or desirable for every patient. At the UC Davis Institute, researchers are working to develop psychedelic-inspired drugs that deliver the therapeutic benefits without the mind-altering side effects.
Cassandra Hatzipantelis, a researcher focused on naturally occurring psychedelics in the human body, and Yara Khatib, a scientist exploring a library of synthetic compounds, are key contributors to this effort. By combining their expertise, the team aims to create treatments that are both safe and effective for a wide range of patients.
Why Does the Body Make Psychedelics?
The fact that our bodies produce psychedelics raises a fascinating question: why are these substances there? Some scientists theorize that these compounds play a role in regulating emotions or stress. They might act as a kind of backup system to maintain mental equilibrium, much like serotonin does.
Hatzipantelis suggests that certain mental health disorders could stem, at least in part, from a deficiency in these natural substances. This perspective could open up entirely new avenues for understanding and treating psychological conditions.
Accelerating Discovery Through Innovation
To identify new therapeutic options, researchers are utilizing cutting-edge technologies. High-throughput screening, which allows scientists to test thousands of compounds quickly, is enabling rapid advancements. This approach provides critical insights into which substances might offer the best results for repairing damaged neural networks.
Collaboration at the Heart of Progress
The work being done at the UC Davis Institute highlights the power of collaboration. Bringing together experts from diverse fields such as biology, pharmacology, and chemistry, the institute fosters a multidisciplinary approach to solving complex problems.
Both Hatzipantelis and Khatib emphasize the importance of teamwork in their mission to improve lives through science. Their shared vision is not only to understand how psychedelics work within the brain but also to create therapies that are affordable and widely available.
The renewed exploration of psychedelics—both those found in nature and those synthesized in labs—is changing the way we think about mental health. By focusing on the compounds our bodies already produce, researchers are uncovering groundbreaking possibilities for treatment. This journey isn’t just about understanding psychedelics; it’s about reimagining what’s possible in the field of neuroscience.