PubHawk
January 2017 PMID 28129538

Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor.

Daniel Wacker, Sheng Wang, John D McCorvy, Robin M Betz, A J Venkatakrishnan, Anat Levit, Katherine Lansu, Zachary L Schools, Tao Che, David E Nichols, Brian K Shoichet, Ron O Dror, Bryan L Roth

Full text PDF Download social card

Mentions

183
Peak: 31 in May 2021
across 6 sources since Mar 2019

Extended reach

254,751
potential audience

Total likes

7,066

Video views

131,397

Mentions per month

Mar 2019 – Dec 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News76 articles
  • X / Twitter40 posts
  • Facebook30 posts
  • Blogs27 articles
  • YouTube7 videos
  • Reddit3 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Overall, the discussions demonstrate high interest and engagement, with examples such as VR visualizations of LSD binding, structural biology insights, and implications for drug development; enthusiastic language like 'great research' and references to exploratory tools like VR emphasize the study's significance and scientific curiosity.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions clearly support and praise the research, with many referencing it as a significant or exciting advancement in understanding LSD's interaction with serotonin receptors.

InterestHigh interest

The topics highly engage the audience, especially with mentions of VR explorations, structural biology, and therapeutic implications, indicating strong curiosity.

EngagementHigh engagement

Numerous posts elaborate on methods such as VR and molecular dynamics, suggest further exploration, and discuss implications, showing in-depth engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions highlight potential impacts on drug design and therapeutic research, though some focus on technical details, so the perceived societal or medical impact is moderate.

Abstract in brief

  • The study presents the crystal structure of LSD bound to the human serotonin receptor 5HT, showing how LSD causes conformational changes that explain its selectivity and slow dissociation from the receptor, which is key to its psychoactive effects.
  • Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that LSD’s slow binding is due to a "lid" formed by extracellular loop 2 (EL2) at the entrance of the binding pocket; mutations increasing this lid's mobility speed up binding and affect signaling.
  • The research uncovers an unexpected mode of LSD binding, providing insights into its kinetics, stereochemistry, and signaling mechanisms, thus explaining how LSD exerts its effects at serotonin receptors.
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
BryanRoth
@zenbrainest · X

Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 35 likes · 11 shares · 16,969 followers View post →
Daniel Gruffat, M.S.
@ferrax · X

Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among others. Thanks to our collaborator @BrandtAsher ! #GPCR #psychedelics #LSD #DrugDesign #VR https://t.co/nguEASHhEE

May 6, 2021 · 25 likes · 5 shares · 322 followers View post →
Christophe Stove
@christophestove · X

... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of the serotonin receptor (2017 @CellCellPress @zenbrainest paper by Wacker et al on LSD-bound 5-HT2BR).

May 6, 2021 · 19 likes · 5 shares · 1,541 followers View post →
Nanome
@nanome_inc · X

NEW VIDEO: Psychedelic! Here we explore the LSD mechanism of action at human serotonin receptors and its implications for therapeutic drug design. Thanks to @BrandtAsher https://t.co/6fDndNY5lv #psychedelics #LSD #serotonin #VR #drugdesign #compchem #medchem #structuralbiology https://t.co/0UPMkkMRHK

May 7, 2021 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 2,649 followers View post →
Keita Funakawa
@KeitaWF · X

Funding+research of psychedelic drugs for therapeutic uses is on the rise. In this vid, scientists use VR to computationally analyze how LSD binds to serotonin receptors. https://t.co/G8UdeLv4lG Thanks to @BrandtAsher! @tferriss @FutureJurvetson @SamHarrisOrg you might like this

May 6, 2021 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 339 followers View post →
Matt Baggott
@mattbagg · X

If LSD is slow to leave 5HT2AR and ketanserin can only bind to unoccupied receptors, ketanserin pretreatment might prevent trips while post treatment may be ineffectual at ending them (Previous image and lid concept from Wacker et al 2017 https://t.co/FewsY5Ga9t )

Feb 17, 2021 · 5 likes · 2,179 followers View post →

All mentions

Understanding the Neuroscience of Psychedelics

This video explores the neuroscience behind psychedelics, referencing comprehensive studies on brain function and consciousness. Notable works include insights from Carhart-Harris and Friston on unifying brain action…

Ramzy Abueita · Jul 9, 2022 246 views
EVA Renneboog Rotshild
@EVARenneboog1 · X

https://t.co/1uvqSZiDx1

May 4, 2025 · 18 followers View post →
JediW
@JediW22 · X

Anyone working on the cost function of the crystalline structure of lsd? if nobody’s close to that can i give it a shot? https://t.co/qLpOidS1KN

Apr 9, 2024 · 565 followers View post →
JediWattzon
@JediWattzon · X

Anyone working on the cost function of the crystalline structure of lsd? if nobody’s close to that can i give it a shot? https://t.co/qLpOidS1KN

Apr 9, 2024 · 554 followers View post →
Gaetano Lardieri
@EntheoG108 · X

https://t.co/bKWHyj49DT

Oct 3, 2023 · 165 followers View post →
Nanome
@nanome_inc · X

Ever explored these mechanisms in #VR? We have!

Jan 24, 2023 · 2 likes · 2,649 followers View post →
Jeff Knox
@mrjeffknox · X

This is that paper if there are any other biologist/chemist on here. “Crystal structure of an LSD-bound human serotonin receptor” https://t.co/hoNY2tEBGL

Aug 29, 2022 · 1 like · 3,299 followers View post →
BryanRoth
@zenbrainest · X

@DrAtheirAbbas Yes--LSD is the biggest concern here because of it's slow kinetics at 2B https://t.co/aSZrViwhE0

Jan 28, 2022 · 3 likes · 16,998 followers View post →
Daniel Gruffat, M.S.
@ferrax · X

RT @ferrax: Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among o…

May 10, 2021 · 5 shares · 322 followers View post →
Tyler
@tyler_alsup_ · X

RT @christophestove: ... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of th…

May 7, 2021 · 5 shares · 174 followers View post →
Charles Nichols
@lab_nichols · X

RT @christophestove: ... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of th…

May 7, 2021 · 5 shares · 1,671 followers View post →
Stephen R Saklad
@pharmacopsych · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 7, 2021 · 11 shares · 881 followers View post →
Daniel Hilger
@dahilger · X

RT @christophestove: ... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of th…

May 7, 2021 · 5 shares · 319 followers View post →
Aida Shahraki
@AidaShahraki · X

RT @christophestove: ... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of th…

May 7, 2021 · 5 shares · 189 followers View post →
John Irwin Chemistry
@chem4biology · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 7, 2021 · 11 shares · 1,724 followers View post →
VR Retweeter
@VrRetweeter · X

RT @nanome_inc: NEW VIDEO: Psychedelic! Here we explore the LSD mechanism of action at human serotonin receptors and its implications for t…

May 7, 2021 · 3 shares · 4,754 followers View post →
Bioinformatics Trends 
@BinfoTrends · X

RT @nanome_inc: NEW VIDEO: Psychedelic! Here we explore the LSD mechanism of action at human serotonin receptors and its implications for t…

May 7, 2021 · 3 shares · 8,150 followers View post →
CompChemBio Bot
@CompChemBioBot · X

RT @nanome_inc: NEW VIDEO: Psychedelic! Here we explore the LSD mechanism of action at human serotonin receptors and its implications for t…

May 7, 2021 · 3 shares · 2,766 followers View post →
Nanome
@nanome_inc · X

NEW VIDEO: Psychedelic! Here we explore the LSD mechanism of action at human serotonin receptors and its implications for therapeutic drug design. Thanks to @BrandtAsher https://t.co/6fDndNY5lv #psychedelics #LSD #serotonin #VR #drugdesign #compchem #medchem #structuralbiology https://t.co/0UPMkkMRHK

May 7, 2021 · 8 likes · 3 shares · 2,649 followers View post →
BTC Journal
@btcjournal · X

RT @KeitaWF: Funding+research of psychedelic drugs for therapeutic uses is on the rise. In this vid, scientists use VR to computationally a…

May 6, 2021 · 2 shares · 271 followers View post →
#RaviVisvesvarayaSharadaPrasad #Telecom #InfoTech
@rvp · X

#RaviVisvesvarayaSharadaPrasad GPCRs in VR: Psychedelic! Structure of LSD bound to human serotonin receptor https://t.co/mapyB3Sux1 Nanome

May 6, 2021 · 4,888 followers View post →
Nathan Winters
@_NathanWinters_ · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 442 followers View post →
aquamansam
@aquamansam1 · X

RT @KeitaWF: Funding+research of psychedelic drugs for therapeutic uses is on the rise. In this vid, scientists use VR to computationally a…

May 6, 2021 · 2 shares · 592 followers View post →
BryanRoth
@zenbrainest · X

RT @christophestove: ... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of th…

May 6, 2021 · 5 shares · 16,969 followers View post →
Christophe Stove
@christophestove · X

... & more GPCR VR, featuring @BrandtAsher & other avatars literally (virtually) entering the LSD binding pocket of the serotonin receptor (2017 @CellCellPress @zenbrainest paper by Wacker et al on LSD-bound 5-HT2BR).

May 6, 2021 · 19 likes · 5 shares · 1,541 followers View post →
Terry Hébert
@THebertMcGill · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 2,180 followers View post →
PsychedelicsASL
@PharmacopeiaE · X

RT @ferrax: Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among o…

May 6, 2021 · 5 shares · 131 followers View post →
BryanRoth
@zenbrainest · X

RT @ferrax: Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among o…

May 6, 2021 · 5 shares · 16,969 followers View post →
VR Retweeter
@VrRetweeter · X

RT @ferrax: Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among o…

May 6, 2021 · 5 shares · 4,754 followers View post →
CompChemBio Bot
@CompChemBioBot · X

RT @ferrax: Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among o…

May 6, 2021 · 5 shares · 2,766 followers View post →
Daniel Gruffat, M.S.
@ferrax · X

Check out our in-VR video on LSD bound to 5-HT serotonin receptor - great research study by @WackerLab and @zenbrainest among others. Thanks to our collaborator @BrandtAsher ! #GPCR #psychedelics #LSD #DrugDesign #VR https://t.co/nguEASHhEE

May 6, 2021 · 25 likes · 5 shares · 322 followers View post →
Keita Funakawa
@KeitaWF · X

Funding+research of psychedelic drugs for therapeutic uses is on the rise. In this vid, scientists use VR to computationally analyze how LSD binds to serotonin receptors. https://t.co/G8UdeLv4lG Thanks to @BrandtAsher! @tferriss @FutureJurvetson @SamHarrisOrg you might like this

May 6, 2021 · 6 likes · 2 shares · 339 followers View post →
Asher Brandt
@BrandtAsher · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 303 followers View post →
Angelina Lesnikova
@an_lesnikova · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 233 followers View post →
Daniel Gruffat, M.S.
@ferrax · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 322 followers View post →
aquamansam
@aquamansam1 · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 592 followers View post →
William Messer
@PHCL3700 · X

RT @zenbrainest: Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 11 shares · 1,489 followers View post →
BryanRoth
@zenbrainest · X

Cool video highlighting how LSD binds to 5-HT receptors https://t.co/IuDEvsNrAw

May 6, 2021 · 35 likes · 11 shares · 16,969 followers View post →
Matt Baggott
@mattbagg · X

If LSD is slow to leave 5HT2AR and ketanserin can only bind to unoccupied receptors, ketanserin pretreatment might prevent trips while post treatment may be ineffectual at ending them (Previous image and lid concept from Wacker et al 2017 https://t.co/FewsY5Ga9t )

Feb 17, 2021 · 5 likes · 2,179 followers View post →
Ryan Natan
@Neur0naut · X

2) Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor by @WackerLab et al https://t.co/CE0Jzq5eDc https://t.co/7ScDfFThx6

Feb 12, 2020 · 452 followers View post →
Gabriel Carmona
@Gabriel55941 · X

RT @zenbrainest: CELL: Crystal Structure of an LSD-Bound Human Serotonin Receptor https://t.co/gkYEzfjVfi

Mar 8, 2019 · 43 shares · 343 followers View post →