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Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Researchers at UC Davis have deconstructed LSD's molecular structure to identify which parts drive its hallucinogenic and toxic effects — and which could be harnessed for therapy. By synthesizing simplified versions of LSD's core, they found compounds with reduced hallucinations and cardiotoxicity, and one that showed antipsychotic-like properties. The findings open new doors for drug development targeting schizophrenia, epilepsy, and substance use disorders.
UC Davis researchers have taken a molecular scalpel to LSD, systematically stripping away parts of its complex four-ring "ergoline" core to figure out what each piece actually does. Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study synthesized nine simplified versions of LSD's scaffold — and the results were surprisingly promising for psychiatric drug development.
The team found that LSD's hallucinogenic effects are driven by its phenethylamine-like molecular traits, while its cardiotoxic effects are tied to the 5-HT2B serotonin receptor. By removing specific structural components, they created two compounds — UCD0094 and UCD0076 — with reduced hallucinogenic and cardiotoxic profiles. Even more intriguing: UCD0076 showed strong binding to the 5-HT2C receptor and produced antipsychotic-like effects in mouse behavioral tests.
Key Takeaways:
Why it matters: Psychedelic-derived drugs are a growing frontier in neuropsychiatry, but safety concerns have slowed progress. This research gives scientists cleaner, more customizable molecular starting points — potentially accelerating the development of effective treatments without the unwanted side effects.
