serotonin
/ˌsɛrəˈtoʊnɪn/
Definition
A neurotransmitter that functions as a chemical messenger in the brain, which LSD influences by binding to its specific receptors to trigger changes in brain activity.
Etymology
The word is derived from 'serum' (blood plasma) and 'tonin' (suggesting its role in vascular 'tone' or tension). It was coined by researchers in the 1940s who first identified it as a substance in blood serum that caused blood vessels to constrict.
In the news
In this article, serotonin receptors are described as the specific docking sites where LSD binds to initiate a chemical chain reaction that reshapes neural communication and alters perception. This interaction is the primary biological mechanism by which the drug disrupts rigid thinking patterns.
How LSD reshapes brain circuitry to blur the lines between perception and thought
Read the full article ↗PsyPost