A Receptor on Acid  Qiuyan Chen, John J.G. Tesmer  Cell  Volume 168, Issue 3, Pages 339-341 (January 2017) DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2017.01.012 Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 LSD Interacts with a Unique Lid Element of the 5-HT Receptor to Send the Brain on an Extended Bicycle Trip LSD, schematized as a bicycle (in reference to Albert Hofmann’s first intentional acid trip), exerts its potent psychedelic effects by binding to the extracellular surfaces of transmembrane receptors in the brain such as the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B serotonin receptors. By stabilizing them in conformations that preferentially favor the binding of arrestin (green lobes) at its intracellular surface, LSD induces a mental “trip” from reality. A key feature of LSD required for this effect is its diethylamine substituent (handlebars of the bicycle). One extracellular loop of the receptor serves as a “lid,” blocking the exit for LSD, thus making the trip long lasting. This figure is created with the help from Stephanie King (University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute). The LSD bicycle graphic is adapted from the website http://bicycleday.la. Cell 2017 168, 339-341DOI: (10.1016/j.cell.2017.01.012) Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions