Mice were tracked as they looked at patterns

Led by Dirk Jancke at the University of Amsterdam, scientists tracked mouse brains as they looked at patterns.
Before the drug, their brains responded to what they saw. Afterward, signals from memories took over while visual input faded, creating hallucination-like effects, Jancke called "partial dreaming."

Research could lead to new mental health treatments

This research could help shape future mental health treatments.
Past studies show that activating 5-HT2A receptors boosts brain flexibility (neuroplasticity), and some new compounds can reduce anxiety or depression in mice without causing trippy side effects.
The hope is to develop safer therapies that separate helpful antidepressant effects from unwanted hallucinations.