AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The psychedelic drugs LSD and psilocybin activate serotonin receptors on brain cells in a way that reduces the energy needed for the brain to switch between different activity states, according to a study led by Weill Cornell Medicine researchers.

Detailed explanation-2: -The main psychedelic component of magic mushrooms is psilocybin, which shows promise as a treatment for depression and other mental disorders. Psychedelic effects are believed to emerge through stimulation of serotonin 2A receptors (5-HT2ARs) by psilocybin’s active metabolite, psilocin.

Detailed explanation-3: -Psilocin, the active metabolite of psilocybin, is a potent agonist at almost all 5-HTRs, with affinities ranging from 3 to 500 nM (6), comparable to serotonin. In humans, the intensity of psilocybin-induced perceptual changes is correlated with serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation (7).

Detailed explanation-4: -Psilocin, its active metabolite, shows activity at 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A that has a greater, though comparable, binding affinity to 4-HO-TMT. It is two orders of magnitude more potent than 4-HO-TMT at the 5-HT2B receptor, and in fact, psilocybin is more active at this receptor as well.