Study Finds the 5-HT2 Receptor is Important for the Hallucinogenic Effect of LSD

Using radiolabeled serotonin receptor subtypes, researchers found that LSD, mescaline, and other phenylisopropylamines had a 10-100 fold higher affinity for the 5-HT₂ receptor subtype than for the 5-HT_1C.¹  The compounds also had 100-1000 fold higher affinity for the 5-HT₂ receptor than the 5-HT_1A or 5-HT_1B subtypes. The hallucinogenic potencies of the compounds were strongly correlated with the 5-HT₂ binding affinities.