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Psilocybin: the mechanism of action and therapeutic potential
Mintálová, Tímea ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Vejmola, Čestmír (referee)
Psilocybin is a psychoactive molecule derived from tryptamine precursors that is present in some mushrooms, especially those belonging to the Psilocybe genus. Its pharmacologically active metabolite, produced by dephosphorylation, is psilocin, which can cross the blood-brain barrier. It is believed that the psychedelic effects of psilocin result from its partial agonistic activities on 5-HT2A receptors, the main receptor subtype among serotonin G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Psilocin also binds to a number of other subtypes of these receptors, but the effects it has on these receptors have not been fully explored yet. Psilocybin has been studied for its potential use in treating anxiety, depression, and disorders caused by addictive substances when administered in concentrations sufficient to produce psychedelic effects. The pharmacological potential of psilocybin is without the risks of potential addiction or overdose compared to other psychoactive drugs such as cocaine, alcohol, methamphetamine, and others. Due to the increasing worldwide trend of addiction, overdose, and suicidal deaths, it is necessary to seek new therapeutic alternatives. However, it is also necessary to assess various contraindications that may limit the possibility of using psilocybin as a pharmacological therapy....
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Psychedelics and mechanisms of their effect on the CNS
Vejmola, Čestmír ; Novotný, Jiří (advisor) ; Páleníček, Tomáš (referee)
Psychedelics represent the group of psychotropics, which induce characteristic cognitive, perceptual and emotional symptoms. They are represented by simple indolamines (psilocybin or DMT), ergoline derivatives (LSD), and substituted phenylethylamines (mescaline). This work with a systematic approach to the problem attempts to characterize the underlying basis of physiological effects of psychedelics in brain. After the general characterization of hallucinogens, among which psychedelics belong to, the first part is focused on the common psychological and physiological actions and risks associated with them. Follows the pharmacological characterization of selected representatives especially with regard to their origin, ways of administration, effects, distribution and metabolization in body. A large part is devoted to the description of G-protein-coupled receptors functioning. The principal part is the last one, which describes mechanisms of action of psychedelics at the cellular level such as well as in different brain regions.
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