What are the different psychedelic drugs?
Let us first point out that there are “classic” psychedelics and other related substances, which also have psychoactive effects. The classic molecules all have one thing in common: they exert their effect by interacting with serotonergic receptors in the nervous system. These are psilocybin, the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, LSD, mescaline from the peyote cactus, and tryptamines, which are found in ayahuasca or in the secretions of certain toads. The other best-known substances are ibogaine, which has been talked about because it helps reduce the drug addiction crisis (heroin, cocaine, alcohol, etc.), ketamine and MDMA (ecstasy); they are not psychedelics in the classical sense of the term but they have similar therapeutic applications. For example, MDMA is an "empathogen", a molecule that produces an experience of emotional openness, empathy with others. It is, moreover, the most technologically advanced molecule: it could probably be authorized as a drug in...