Variations in a crucial receptor’s genetics led to differences in efficacy and potency for four psychedelic drugs.
Researchers in North Carolina have found evidence that people’s genes may affect how they trip on psychedelic drugs.
The finding may be a potential reason why people sometimes react very differently to psychedelics — the actual potency of the drug is different for different people, even though the dose is the same.
This could have big implications for psychedelic drug trials and treatments.
“Based on our study, we expect that patients with different genetic variations will react differently to psychedelic-assisted treatments,” Brian Roth, the Michael Hooker Distinguished Professor of Pharmacology at UNC School of Medicine, said.
“We think physicians should consider the genetics of a patient’s serotonin receptors to identify which psychedelic compound is likely to be the most effective treatment in future clinical trials.”