UC Davis creates non‑hallucinogenic psychedelic drugs
Get the Health newsletter
Daily health & science — research, biotech, public health, the studies worth knowing. Free.
- UC Davis researchers synthesized novel psychedelic‑like molecules by exposing amino‑acid‑tryptamine mixtures to ultraviolet light, creating a new chemical scaffold.
- UC Davis researchers screened 100 UV‑generated compounds for binding to the 5‑HT2A serotonin receptor and selected five for detailed laboratory testing.
- UC Davis researchers showed in animal assays that the five compounds activated 5‑HT2A receptors without inducing hallucinogenic‑like behaviors.
- UC Davis researchers published the findings in the Journal of the American Chemical Society on May 13, 2026, highlighting a more efficient, environmentally friendly route to serotonin‑targeting drugs.
- UC Davis researchers suggest the new scaffold enables treatments for depression, PTSD, and addiction without the intense psychedelic experience.
Why it matters: The five lead compounds, selected from 100 screened, give a concrete foundation for developing non‑hallucinogenic serotonin drugs, expanding treatment options for patients with depression, PTSD, and addiction.
