The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis
The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the hypothesis that two neuropeptides, vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) and their receptors have central roles in the behavioral and physiological consequences of psychedelic interventions. Transient consequences of psychedelics can include anxiet...
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Elsevier
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497625000220 |
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| author | C. Sue Carter |
| author_facet | C. Sue Carter |
| author_sort | C. Sue Carter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the hypothesis that two neuropeptides, vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) and their receptors have central roles in the behavioral and physiological consequences of psychedelic interventions. Transient consequences of psychedelics can include anxiety and in some cases sickness responses such as nausea and vomiting, which may involve VP and other components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Stressful experiences are often followed by a pulsatile release of OT. The effects of OT depend on interactions with VP and may be more apparent following stressful experiences including those associated with psychedelic drugs. Effects of both the VP-OT system and psychedelics also are mediated through interactions with the autonomic nervous system and the immune system, contributing to a process called “stress response hormesis.” The hypotheses arising from a hormetic perspective could guide novel approaches to understanding dose- and time-dependent psychedelic functions and to the treatment of emotional and physical disorders. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bc184372ee984a0d9904acf75f3a8586 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2666-4976 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc184372ee984a0d9904acf75f3a85862025-08-20T03:01:46ZengElsevierComprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology2666-49762025-08-012310030310.1016/j.cpnec.2025.100303The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesisC. Sue Carter0Kinsey Institute, Indiana University and Department of Psychology, University of Virginia, USAThe purpose of this narrative review is to examine the hypothesis that two neuropeptides, vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) and their receptors have central roles in the behavioral and physiological consequences of psychedelic interventions. Transient consequences of psychedelics can include anxiety and in some cases sickness responses such as nausea and vomiting, which may involve VP and other components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Stressful experiences are often followed by a pulsatile release of OT. The effects of OT depend on interactions with VP and may be more apparent following stressful experiences including those associated with psychedelic drugs. Effects of both the VP-OT system and psychedelics also are mediated through interactions with the autonomic nervous system and the immune system, contributing to a process called “stress response hormesis.” The hypotheses arising from a hormetic perspective could guide novel approaches to understanding dose- and time-dependent psychedelic functions and to the treatment of emotional and physical disorders.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497625000220PsychedelicsOxytocinVasopressinStressHormesis |
| spellingShingle | C. Sue Carter The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology Psychedelics Oxytocin Vasopressin Stress Hormesis |
| title | The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis |
| title_full | The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis |
| title_fullStr | The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis |
| title_short | The psychedelic-peptide paradox: a hormetic hypothesis |
| title_sort | psychedelic peptide paradox a hormetic hypothesis |
| topic | Psychedelics Oxytocin Vasopressin Stress Hormesis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666497625000220 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT csuecarter thepsychedelicpeptideparadoxahormetichypothesis AT csuecarter psychedelicpeptideparadoxahormetichypothesis |