Psychoplastogens

A psychoplastogen is something, usually a chemical or event that causes a change in how a human mind functions. The term comes from two parts: "psycho-" relating to the mind or mental processes, and "-plastogen" suggesting a connection to plasticity or malleability. It is thought that psychoplastogens exert their effect by inducing neuroplasticity which is the brain's ability to reorganize its configuration by forming new neural connections throughout life, and it's a crucial concept in neuroscience.

Several existing psychoplastogens have been identified and their therapeutic effects demonstrated; several are presently at various stages of development as medications including Ketamine, MDMA, Scopolamine, and the serotonergic psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, and DMT. Compounds of this sort are being explored as therapeutics for a variety of brain disorders including depression, addiction, and PTSD.