Clinical pharmacology of classical psychedelics

Abstract

Classic psychedelics and entactogens are promising candidates for treating psychiatric and neurological disorders, driving renewed research into their pharmacology, mechanisms, and safety. Classic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT, mescaline) primarily act as 5-HT2A receptor agonists but differ in secondary receptor interactions. Entactogens like MDMA act mainly through serotonin transporter inhibition and neurotransmitter release. Despite clinical interest, the relationship between receptor binding and behavioral effects remains unclear. Understanding dose equivalence, drug interactions, pharmacokinetics, and safety is essential for therapeutic application. This talk will examine key aspects of the clinical pharmacology of psychedelics and entactogens, emphasizing dosing, comparative effects, and implications for individualized treatment.

Biography

Dr. Holze is a Swiss researcher in psychopharmacology specializing in psychedelics. She completed her PhD in 2021 at the University Hospital Basel in Prof. Matthias Liechti’s group, where she investigated the pharmacology and dose–response effects of LSD in humans through multiple Phase I and II studies. Her research also includes comparative work on LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and d-amphetamine. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Neurobiology Research Unit in Copenhagen, she uses PET and fMRI to study the neural mechanisms of psychedelics. She has received several awards, including the ACNP NEATOR Award (2023) and the SOBP Sommerfeld-Ziskind Award (2024).