<< Go Back

Metadata

Name
Role of the Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor in LSD-induced Altered States of Consciousness (LDR-Study)
Repository
ClinicalTrials.gov
Identifier
clinicaltrials:NCT03321136
Description
Serotonin receptors, especially the 5HT2A receptor, are thought to be involved in the effects
of various recreationally used psychedelic substances such as LSD. LSD potently stimulates
the 5-HT2A receptor but also 5-HT2B/C, 5-HT1 and dopaminergic receptors. LSD induces acute
transient alterations in waking consciousness including visual perceptual alterations,
audio-visual synesthesia, derealization and depersonalization. LSD has therefore been used as
experimental tool ("psychotomimetic") in modern psychiatric research to study psychotic-like
states and model psychosis in healthy subjects [1-5]. However, the dose-effects of 5-HT2A
receptor stimulation by LSD has not yet been studied. Additionally, there is still very
limited data to what extent the 5HT2A receptor contributes to LSD's effects and its role in
the mediation of the full response to LSD at a high dose is unclear. A recent experimental
human study showed the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin fully blocked the subjective
effects of a moderate dose of 100 µg of LSD [6]. But, whether the effects of a high 200 µg
oral dose of LSD can be blocked by the selective pharmacological 5-HT2A antagonist ketanserin
remains to be tested to confirm the critical role of the 5-HT2A receptor in more pronounced
alterations of consciousness and perception. The present study therefore explores the role
the 5-HT2A receptor in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness using escalating doses of
LSD and the 5-HT2A receptor blocker ketanserin administered before a high dose of LSD.
Data or Study Types
clinical trial
Source Organization
Unknown
Access Conditions
available
Year
2017
Access Hyperlink
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03321136

Distributions