The Effects Of Psilocybin On Social Self-Administration In Rats

Authors: Wisdom Akinyele, Paul Meyer

SUNY Campus: SUNY Buffalo

Presentation Type: Poster

Location: UU 111

Presentation #: 70

Timeslot: Session B 10:15-11:15 AM

Abstract: Nicotine causes relapse even after long abstinence periods. Previously, the psychedelic drug psilocybin promoted cessation from smoking in humans1. However, in rat studies, psilocybin increased nicotine consumption2, perhaps due to the lack of immediate negative consequence to nicotine consumption in rats. Thus, we sought to develop a rat paradigm in which nicotine consumption competes with social interaction, a beneficial reinforcer3. However, few studies have examined psilocybin’s effects on social reinforcement. Thus, in this initial experiment, we determined whether psilocybin would increase social self-administration. Rats were injected with saline or one of two psilocybin doses forty-eight hours before being allowed to respond for contact with another rat. Psilocybin-induced locomotor depression and responding for the social reinforcer were the primary measures. Our ongoing studies suggest no alteration of responding despite the expected locomotor depression. Currently, rats receive additional psilocybin injections to determine whether repeated injections increase social reinforcement. This experiment will establish the foundation for a translationally relevant choice paradigm in which we hypothesize psilocybin will increase social interaction at the expense of nicotine self-administration. In turn, this will enable future studies to determine the effects of set, setting, and other influences on psychedelic-assisted therapy.