Knowledge Tree
Relations (1)
related 2.58 — strongly supporting 5 facts
Psilocybin is related to 5-HT because it structurally resembles and mimics the neurotransmitter 5-HT (serotonin) {fact:2, fact:3, fact:4}, allowing it to act as a functional substitute during periods of serotonin depletion {fact:1, fact:5}.
Facts (5)
Sources
Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution frontiersin.org 5 facts
claimThe psychedelic instrumentalization model predicts that psilocybin and other serotonergic psychedelics can substitute for 5-HT (serotonin) under conditions of tryptophan depletion, potentially ameliorating costs associated with impaired serotonergic neural signaling, such as depressed mood, increased stress vulnerability, and cognitive inflexibility.
claimPsilocybin ingestion could have provided homeostatic utility to human ancestors by acting as a treatment for 5-HT (serotonin) depletion, which was a recurrent adaptive problem during the advancement into a socio-cognitive niche.
claimThe authors of 'Psychedelics, Sociality, and Human Evolution' propose that humans likely exploited psilocybin and other psychedelics due to their chemical resemblance to endogenous signaling molecules like 5-HT, despite these compounds originally evolving as chemical defenses against insects.
claimThe incidental ingestion of psilocybin and other psychedelic secondary metabolites, which have very low toxicity and structurally resemble the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), may have provided a 'treatment' for serotonin depletion, a challenge recurring during human advancement into a socio-cognitive niche.
claimTryptamine psychedelics, such as DMT and psilocybin, could have provided an ideal substitute for tryptophan by mimicking the structure and function of 5-HT (serotonin).