Psychedelics and Mental Disorders: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapies Potential
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 33
Special Issue Editors
Interests: mitochondria; TSPO (The 18-kDa translocator protein); neurodegeneration; neurogenesis; melatonin; stem cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: mitochondria; TSPO (The 18-kDa translocator protein)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The unsupervised and chronic use of psychedelic substances, particularly at high doses, is associated with an increased risk of adverse psychiatric outcomes, including psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders, and persistent disturbances in perception and emotional regulation. These risks are especially pronounced in vulnerable populations, such as adolescents and individuals with a genetic or familial predisposition to mental illness.
At the same time, the past decade has produced growing evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and related compounds in neuropsychiatry. Substances such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have shown efficacy in treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. These effects are mediated by mechanisms that enhance neuronal resilience and plasticity, including upregulation of neurotrophic factors, activation of serotonin 5-HT₂A signaling, modulation of neuroinflammation, and improvements in mitochondrial function.
A defining characteristic of these compounds is their capacity to rapidly induce adult neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, facilitating the reorganization of dysfunctional neural circuits. However, their effects are highly dose-, context-, and development-dependent, as chronic or unsupervised exposure—particularly during critical developmental periods—may lead to maladaptive plasticity and increased psychiatric vulnerability.
The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a mechanistically focused overview of the effects of psychedelic and related psychoactive compounds on the central nervous system, encompassing both their therapeutic potential and the molecular, cellular, and systemic mechanisms underlying neuroprotection and neurotoxicity. This Special Issue will welcome original research articles and critical reviews spanning preclinical, clinical, and translational studies that address dose-dependent, context-specific, and individual factors determining beneficial versus adverse outcomes. This focus is fully aligned with the journal’s scope, covering key aspects of neurobiology such as neurogenesis, synaptic remodeling, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and glial–neuronal interactions.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Beatriz Caballero
Dr. Yaiza Potes
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- psychedelics
- drug-induced neurotoxicity
- therapeutic potential
- mental disorders
- neuroprotective mechanisms
- adult neurogenesis
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