Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs (Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences)

“This book brings together the latest basic and clinical research into the underlying mechanism of action, effects, and possible clinical uses of psychedelic drugs. … It brings together current knowledge regarding this class of drugs pharmacology, neurobiological effects, subjective experience, and therapeutic effects. … It brings together preclinical and clinical data, which will be of interest to anyone involved with or curious about this category of drugs.” (Michael Easton, Doody's Book Reviews, September, 2018)

This volume brings together the latest basic and clinical research examining the effects and underlying mechanisms of psychedelic drugs. Examples of drugs within this group include LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline. Despite their structural differences, these compounds produce remarkably similar experiences in humans and share a common mechanism of action.  Commonalities among the substances in this family are addressed both at the clinical and phenomenological level and at the basic neurobiological mechanism level. To the extent possible, contributions relate the clinical and preclinical findings to one another across species. The volume addresses both the risks associated with the use of these drugs and the potential medical benefits that might be associated with these and related compounds.