Hallucinogenic drugs are beginning to be seen as a possible treatment for certain mental health problems. Thanks to a biosensor genetically encoded to emit fluorescence, a team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis (USA), has been able to detect a new and interesting compound.

Numerous research groups are currently studying whether psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin (hallucinogenic mushrooms) or LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) could be used to treat symptoms of mental disorders . Imperial College London has even created a center dedicated exclusively to this field of study: the Center for Buy Psychedelics Canada Research.

However, a debate remains open. Are the hallucinogenic effects of these substances necessary to obtain benefits? The team led by Lin Tian, ​​a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at the American university, together with David Olson, a chemistry professor, wanted to jointly study substances that behave like hallucinogens, but without the ability to alter senses.

To do this, they designed a kind of biological lamp that would light up before a compound that would act like a psychedelic drug. The group used the structure of the serotonin HT2A receptor for its development. 

Furthermore, they play an essential role in mediating the hallucinogenic effects of psychedelics. What Tian, ​​Olson and their colleagues did was genetically modify the HT2As so that they fluoresce. They called the resulting biosensor psychLight.