RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHEDELICS AND GUT MICROBIOME

Muskan Parashar and Dr. Dinesh Kumar Jain*

ABSTRACT

The axis of the gut-brain is a network of neurological, immunological, and endocrine processes that connects the brain and gut microbiome in both directions in this review, the GBA's mechanics are investigated. with particular attention to how it affects gastrointestinal and mental health. Psychedelics have shown promise as treatment for mental health conditions like addiction, anxiety, and depression, especially serotonergic ones like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT. These substances modulate the GBA, impacting neural plasticity, immune responses, and neurotransmitter signaling with possible contributions to changing the composition of the gut microbiome. The interplay between gut microbiota and psychedelics offers insights into their therapeutic effects. While gut bacteria can influence serotonin synthesis and drug metabolism, psychedelics might reciprocally affect microbial diversity and composition. Preliminary findings suggest psychedelics could enhance neurogenesis, synaptic connectivity, and mental health outcomes via microbiome-mediated pathways. However, research on these interactions remains nascent, requiring further exploration of long-term effects and individual variability. This review highlights the potential of integrating gut microbiota into psychedelic therapies to enable personalized medicine. It emphasizes the need for standardized protocols, regulatory reforms, and expanded studies into broader medical applications, aiming to transform mental health and beyond through the GBA-psychedelic connection.

Keywords: Gut microbiome, Gut brain axis, Psychedelics, HPA axis, Psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide.