Effect of Administration of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide on Serotonin-Levels in the Body

Abstract

IN a previous publication¹, we have suggested that some of the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may be mediated through its effect on the serotonin content of brain. Brodie and his associates² have previously reported that LSD—and also some other drugs—do not release serotonin as reserpine does. However, Freedman³ has recently reported slightly raised levels of serotonin in the whole brain of rats treated with LSD. Using animals which had been given reserpine, they found a twofold increase of brain serotonin in rats treated with LSD over the controls receiving reserpine alone. The whole brain serotonin may not be a true indication of the action of a psychopharmacological agent. Thus Vogt and her associates⁴ have reported different effects of LSD and serotonin in different areas of the brain after intraventricular injection.