Rat scans suggest LSD, psilocybin and 2C-B affect brain differently

Brain scans in rats from a University of Southern Denmark study found distinct effects from three drugs: LSD, psilocybin and 2C-B produced different patterns of brain activity. The differences appeared both while the drugs were active and in scans taken one week later.

That comparison matters because previous studies mainly investigated one psychedelic at a time. The researchers found only a few changes shared across all three compounds, while 2C-B and LSD produced the most changes during the active drug effects.

The follow-up scans showed that the compounds left different traces after those acute effects had worn off. 2C-B mainly affected areas linked to reward, LSD affected areas linked to habits and motivation, and psilocybin primarily affected areas involved in emotions. 2C-B is a synthetic drug with psychedelic properties.

In practical terms, the result changes the research map, not a patient’s prescription. If the compounds affect different brain networks, future studies could investigate whether particular psychedelics are better suited to particular disorders. Mikael Palner, the study’s senior author, describes the findings as a biological starting point rather than proof of a treatment advantage.

The evidence stops at the rat stage. The study, published in Nature Communications, does not show whether LSD, psilocybin or 2C-B works in patients; the researchers say human studies are needed before the differences can be considered relevant to treatment.