The fact that psychedelics could help in the treatment of mental conditions such as depression or anxiety isn’t new. However, new research from Columbia University published in Nature has now shown that the Colorado River toad might carry (part of) the key to success. A modified version of their infamously psychedelic venom could be used in order to successfully treat depression, which affects around 5% of the world’s adults, according to the World Health Organization.
Psychedelics are known for their interaction with the brain and more precisely with the serotonin receptors within it. Until now, research has mainly focused on the 5-HT2A receptor, but the new Columbia study turned its attention to the 5-HT1A receptor and its interaction with the Colorado River toad’s 5-MeO-DMT psychedelic. By altering the hallucinogenic, the researchers managed to develop a compound with similar antidepressant-like activity to ketamine, yet without the hallucinogenic effects of the venom.
“5-MeO-DMT, which is sometimes referred to as the ‘god molecule’ has held our interest for many years due to its intense and unique subjective experiences, and more recently promising therapeutic signals in preliminary clinical studies. We also arrive at MeO-DMT by breaking down another enigmatic psychedelic, named ibogaine, which holds remarkable promise in the treatment of opioid addiction, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury (TBI)”, explained Columbia Chemistry Professor, Dalibor Sames. “These two molecules—5-MeO-DMT and ibogaine—provide a rich and fertile area for discovery of novel therapeutics. We’re hopeful that the insights from our study and the ongoing research in our labs will prove useful in the development of the next generation of psychedelic-inspired medicines.”
Even though the first results seem promising for the future development of medications for neuropsychiatric disorders, further research is needed. The Columbia study so far merely tested the effects of the modified venom on mice, whose social interaction and taste for sweet treats improved when administered the compound, suggesting an improved mood and well-being.
