Psychedelic Drugs Rewire the Brain to Treat Depression Without Hallucinations

A new study published in the journal Nature Neuroscience found that psychedelics psilocin and LSD exert an antidepressant effect by binding to a protein, receptor tyrosine kinase beta (TrkB), which then activates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that plays a crucial role in the growth, development, and maintenance of neurons. The researchers hope that this new information could potentially lead to creating more effective treatments for mental health disorders. However, further studies and drug development are needed before clinical trials in humans can be conducted.