Scientists Messed Around With LSD And Invented A New Brain-Healing Drug

Last updated on 23 SEP 2025

In the evolving conversation around mental health, a surprising new protagonist has entered the scene—LSD. Not in its familiar, perception-warping form, but in a newly engineered variant that may hold the key to repairing damaged brain circuits without inducing hallucinations. Scientists at the University of California, Davis, have modified the molecular structure of the psychedelic drug to create a compound known as JRT, and early research in mice suggests it could represent a transformative leap in the treatment of conditions like schizophrenia and depression.

The discovery stands out not only for its scientific ingenuity—a minor atomic adjustment with major therapeutic impact—but also for what it represents more broadly: a reimagining of what psychiatric medicine can be. As current treatments struggle to meaningfully address the full spectrum of symptoms in mental illness, and often burden patients with debilitating side effects, the search for more precise, restorative options has never been more urgent.

A Microscopic Tweak With Macroscopic Implications

In a groundbreaking development, scientists at the University of California, Davis, have made a subtle yet transformative alteration to the molecular structure of LSD—an iconic psychedelic compound known for its hallucinogenic effects. By shifting the position of just two atoms, researchers created a new compound dubbed JRT, which has shown significant potential as a mental health treatment without the mind-altering side effects traditionally associated with psychedelics.

This seemingly small atomic “tire rotation” — as described by the researchers — has had enormous implications in preclinical studies. Unlike its psychedelic predecessor, JRT does not induce hallucinations. Instead, it appears to stimulate neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new neural connections. In mice, JRT was able to regrow brain cells and repair neural pathways, marking a major advance in efforts to treat complex psychiatric conditions.

Most notably, JRT demonstrated the ability to alleviate symptoms of schizophrenia in animal models, particularly the negative symptoms such as cognitive impairment and social withdrawal. This is a significant improvement over current treatments like clozapine, which can cause emotional blunting and cognitive decline. As Dr. David Olson, a chemistry professor at UC Davis leading the research, noted, the goal is to develop safer and more effective alternatives to existing antipsychotics—medications that often come with a difficult trade-off between symptom relief and quality of life.

Beyond schizophrenia, JRT also displayed remarkable antidepressant properties. It was found to be up to 100 times more potent than ketamine, a fast-acting antidepressant currently gaining traction in clinical settings, and effective at a fraction of the dose. This discovery not only underscores the therapeutic potential of psychedelics when properly modified but also hints at a broader shift in the way we approach mental health treatment—one that balances efficacy with safety and tolerability.

The research is still in early stages, with further testing and refinement underway. However, the results so far highlight how minute molecular adjustments can lead to massive breakthroughs—potentially revolutionizing psychiatric care and offering hope to those for whom current medications fall short.

Reimagining Psychedelics — From Hallucinogens to Healing Agents

The development of JRT marks a pivotal moment in a growing scientific movement: the reengineering of psychedelics for therapeutic use without the accompanying psychedelic experience. Historically, substances like LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine have shown promise in treating a range of mental health conditions—from depression and PTSD to anxiety and addiction. However, their hallucinogenic properties and the social stigma surrounding their use have posed significant barriers to mainstream acceptance and clinical application.

JRT sidesteps these obstacles by embodying a new class of drugs often referred to as “psychoplastogens.” These compounds are designed to stimulate brain growth and repair without inducing altered states of consciousness. The ability of JRT to foster neuroplasticity—boosting the brain’s adaptability and resilience—mirrors what psychedelics do at a molecular level, but without the unpredictable or disorienting psychological effects. This makes them more suitable for broader clinical use, particularly among patients who may not be comfortable or safe undergoing psychedelic experiences.

Importantly, this shift does not diminish the value of traditional psychedelic therapy, which has been shown in controlled settings to lead to profound psychological insights and emotional breakthroughs. Instead, it expands the therapeutic toolkit, offering options tailored to individual needs. For example, while some patients may benefit from guided psychedelic sessions, others—particularly those with psychotic disorders—require non-hallucinogenic alternatives like JRT that can offer benefits without exacerbating symptoms.

This evolution in drug development also reflects a deeper understanding of the mechanisms behind psychedelic efficacy. Rather than attributing healing solely to the subjective experience, researchers are now isolating the underlying biological processes—such as increased synaptic density and dendritic growth—that contribute to mental health improvements. By designing compounds that activate these processes selectively, scientists are decoupling therapeutic effects from the trip, paving the way for a new era of precision psychiatry.

As this field matures, it challenges long-standing assumptions about what effective mental health treatment can look like. No longer limited to daily pills that suppress symptoms, emerging therapies like JRT represent a future where we can restore and enhance brain function directly, reshaping the landscape of psychiatric care without the risk of mind-altering experiences.

The Science Behind the Breakthrough — How a Molecular Shift Rewires the Brain

At the heart of JRT’s promise is its ability to enhance neuroplasticity—the brain’s natural capacity to reorganize and form new neural connections. This biological process plays a central role in learning, memory, and recovery from injury or trauma, and it has become a major focus in the search for more effective psychiatric treatments.

The inspiration for JRT came from a close examination of LSD’s structure and function. While LSD is best known for its mind-altering effects, recent studies have revealed that it also promotes dendritic growth and synaptogenesis—the formation of new connections between neurons. These effects are believed to be mediated through serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor, which is involved in mood, cognition, and perception.

The team at UC Davis, led by chemist David Olson, altered LSD by switching the position of just two atoms in its molecular structure. This small modification was enough to preserve the compound’s ability to activate beneficial pathways in the brain—such as those that drive neuroplasticity—without engaging the circuits responsible for hallucinations.

In animal studies, this translated to visible changes at the cellular level. JRT prompted the growth of dendritic spines, tiny protrusions on neurons that facilitate communication between brain cells. This kind of growth is considered a marker of enhanced neural connectivity and has been associated with resilience against depression, cognitive decline, and other psychiatric disorders.

Crucially, the compound did not activate behavioral responses in mice typically linked to psychedelic activity, such as head-twitch responses. This suggests that JRT’s effects are fundamentally different from those of classical psychedelics, despite their chemical similarities.

The science underlying JRT’s development underscores an emerging paradigm in mental health: targeting the brain’s structural and functional integrity, rather than simply modulating neurotransmitter levels. By focusing on the root causes of cognitive and emotional dysfunction, compounds like JRT could shift the emphasis from symptom suppression to true neural repair and regeneration.

What Comes Next — Promise, Prudence, and the Path Forward

While the early results surrounding JRT are undeniably compelling, researchers are quick to emphasize that the road from lab bench to bedside is long and uncertain. As of now, JRT has only been tested in animal models, primarily mice. This is an important first step in drug development, but it does not guarantee success in human trials. The translation of neuroplastic effects and behavioral improvements from rodents to humans often faces significant biological and regulatory hurdles.

David Olson and his team are continuing to refine JRT’s synthesis and test its efficacy in other disease models. These efforts are essential to understanding the full therapeutic potential—and limitations—of the compound. Before it can enter human trials, JRT must undergo extensive toxicological testing to ensure safety. Regulatory approval from bodies like the FDA requires robust data not only on efficacy but also on dosage, metabolism, long-term effects, and risk of misuse.

There is also the broader question of how JRT and similar compounds will fit into the evolving landscape of mental health care. As the stigma surrounding psychedelics continues to erode, public and institutional interest in psychedelic-inspired treatments is rising. However, enthusiasm must be balanced with rigorous science and ethical caution. Overhyping early results could lead to unrealistic expectations or premature adoption, which may undermine public trust in the long run.

That said, the implications of JRT’s development extend beyond this single compound. It signals a shift in how researchers are approaching the design of mental health medications—moving away from blunt pharmacological tools toward targeted interventions rooted in neuroscience. If future studies confirm JRT’s safety and efficacy in humans, it could set the stage for an entirely new class of treatments that repair rather than merely manage mental illness.

Toward a New Era in Mental Health — A Call to Thoughtful Innovation

The story of JRT is not just about a novel compound—it reflects a larger, transformative moment in mental health research. By reengineering a molecule once known only for its psychedelic properties, scientists are forging a new path that emphasizes brain healing over symptom suppression, and innovation over inertia. But as this scientific frontier advances, so must our societal and ethical frameworks. There is an urgent need for informed public dialogue about emerging treatments—especially those inspired by psychedelics—which have long been mired in controversy.

Misunderstandings about these compounds, whether rooted in history or media sensationalism, can create unnecessary barriers to their responsible development and use. At the same time, JRT underscores the importance of scientific humility. While early results are promising, they should not be mistaken for a cure-all or a shortcut to mental wellness. Even as we move toward more sophisticated treatments, mental health care must remain holistic, encompassing not just pharmacology but also therapy, community support, and social determinants of well-being.

For policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers, this is a moment to invest in rigorous, ethically grounded studies and to ensure that access to future breakthroughs is equitable. For the public, it is an invitation to stay curious but critical—to welcome innovation while insisting on transparency and accountability.

Ultimately, JRT represents more than just a chemical innovation. It symbolizes what’s possible when science is both creative and careful, when we dare to reimagine old compounds with new purpose. The challenge now is to nurture this momentum responsibly—so that the next generation of mental health treatments not only repairs the brain, but also restores dignity, clarity, and hope to those who need it most.

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