Scientists Invent Bunk Acid
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"New psychedelic-like drugs could treat depression without making you trip
Scientists may have found a way to capture psychedelics’ brain-healing power — without the hallucinations.
May 13, 2026
Source: University of California - Davis
Summary: UC Davis researchers created brand-new psychedelic-like compounds by shining UV light on amino acid-based molecules. These compounds activated key serotonin receptors tied to brain plasticity and mental health benefits, but surprisingly did not cause hallucination-like behavior in animal tests. Scientists say the discovery could lead to future treatments for depression, PTSD, and addiction without the intense psychedelic experience."
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/05/260512202325.htm
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
Bummer
Bummer
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Capt. Optissimo 24/7
What, no "special effects"?
What, no "special effects"?
> Bummer <
Indeed! Freaks have needs too...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Subway Token
how can you have your pudding
how can you have your pudding when you don't eat your meat!?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: intentionally blank
> how can you have your
> how can you have your pudding
I couldn't help but read this as "puddling".
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
The Fake Alberts microdose on
The Fake Alberts microdose on the pseudo-fluff and take virtual bicycle trips.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Tim
bunk doses makes me very sad
bunk doses makes me very sad
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: jazfish
Well dammit!
Well dammit!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: reverend
This has tremendous potential
This has tremendous potential for those who have a fear of psychedelics because of losing control of their surroundings, and that's a lot of people. And even more people suffering from depression, PTSD, and addiction. I hope this gets to human trials as soon as safely possible. It could be a huge boost for vets. Thanks for the article, Alan.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway
im always a little skeptical
im always a little skeptical of the general idea that some kind of non-psychedelic substance which mimics the "brain healing power" of psychedelics will ever be found. how much of that "brain healing power" is a result of simple agonism of serotonin receptors and how much comes from the actual experience itself? i would guess its a combination of both, and while there likely is some potential benefit to be found in a substance like this, in other ways it also seems like the idea that the benefits of psychedelics being captured in a non-psychedelic molecule is similar to the idea that some kind of pharmaceutical could provide all the benefits of talk therapy, which is clearly an absurd concept.
all the study really says is theyve found a new scaffold for 5ht2a agonists that dont induce the head twitch response in animal models, and we have already discovered a TON of 5ht2a agonists which do not induce the head twitch response and are thought to be non-psychedelic on existing scaffolds found in traditional psychedelics. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_5-HT2A_receptor_agonist#Non-hall...
some of these substances have been around for decades and have yet to produce any meaningful results. BOL-148 is a lysergamide that fits this profile which was discovered in the 50s by albert hoffman himself and is currently only being considered as a potential treatment for cluster headaches. another, lisuride, has been around since the 60s and is mostly used to treat symptoms of parkinsons - no hallucination free transformational personal development.
the lack of a head twitch response indication psychedelic 5ht2a agonism also does not rule out psychoactive effects mediated by other receptor sites. non-psychedelic psychedelics are a nice pipe dream and might produce some usable anti-depressants but i doubt we will ever see a truly non-psychedelic substance that can truly mimic the vast range of profound behavioral changes we see from actual psychedelics. to my mind the most interesting possibility in this realm would be finding a non-psychedelic analouge of ibogaine that retains its ability to mitigate opioid withdrawal.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: plj
what tim said
what tim said
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skyjunk
What next? Technicolor in
What next? Technicolor in black and white?