Devin Effinger, Ph.D
@deffinger.bsky.social
Neuropharmacology PhD | postdoc researching #psychedelics at CU Anschutz | Lived experience w/ TBI & SUD recovery | Board member, Winter Conference on Brain Research | https://linktr.ee/Devin_Effinger
NIDA IRP > UNC Chapel Hill > CU Anschutz
NIDA IRP > UNC Chapel Hill > CU Anschutz
Pinned
Increased reactivity of the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus and decreased threat responding in male rats following psilocin administration - Nature Communications
The neurobiological mechanisms underlying the fast acting and long-lasting effects of these drugs are not fully understood. Here authors show that the psychedelic psilocin increases reactivity in the ...
www.nature.com
Introductory post on here sharing my latest paper in Nature Comms where I investigated the effects of the psilocin, the psychoactive metabolite of psilocybin, on behavioral responding and reactivity within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. #psychedelic www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
@deffinger.bsky.social at Lived Experience Panel @acnporg.bsky.social #ACNP2026:
We should be going from consultation to co-production in the integration of lived experience in research 🧠🧪
We should be going from consultation to co-production in the integration of lived experience in research 🧠🧪
January 13, 2026 at 3:41 PM
@deffinger.bsky.social at Lived Experience Panel @acnporg.bsky.social #ACNP2026:
We should be going from consultation to co-production in the integration of lived experience in research 🧠🧪
We should be going from consultation to co-production in the integration of lived experience in research 🧠🧪
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
Our first Deep Dive of 2026 covers a Perspective calling for recognizing & removing barriers faced by researchers with lived experience of mental illness or SUDs who work in our field.
By @umarchatterjee.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social & colleagues
youtu.be/y5fymczeNFc
By @umarchatterjee.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social & colleagues
youtu.be/y5fymczeNFc
The central role of lived experience in mental health research
YouTube video by NPP - Digital Psychiatry and Neuroscience (DPN)
youtu.be
January 5, 2026 at 1:50 PM
Our first Deep Dive of 2026 covers a Perspective calling for recognizing & removing barriers faced by researchers with lived experience of mental illness or SUDs who work in our field.
By @umarchatterjee.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social & colleagues
youtu.be/y5fymczeNFc
By @umarchatterjee.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social & colleagues
youtu.be/y5fymczeNFc
My TEDx talk is live! It blends my story—from TBI to addiction to neuroscience—with practical tools for stronger emotional control and brain optimization. I’d be grateful if you shared it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Lg...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Lg...
Getting Unstuck: Moving Towards Better Mental Health | Dr. Devin Effinger | TEDxBoulder
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
My TEDx talk is live! It blends my story—from TBI to addiction to neuroscience—with practical tools for stronger emotional control and brain optimization. I’d be grateful if you shared it.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Lg...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=08Lg...
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
A powerful DPN Perspective from @umarchatterjee.bsky.social, @mayaschumer.bsky.social, @deffinger.bsky.social, @viscidula.bsky.social, Noel Vest, Michael Cahill, Brandon Staglin, & @ericjnestler.bsky.social.
DPN is grateful for the authors' dedication to writing this!
DPN is grateful for the authors' dedication to writing this!
November 13, 2025 at 3:14 PM
A powerful DPN Perspective from @umarchatterjee.bsky.social, @mayaschumer.bsky.social, @deffinger.bsky.social, @viscidula.bsky.social, Noel Vest, Michael Cahill, Brandon Staglin, & @ericjnestler.bsky.social.
DPN is grateful for the authors' dedication to writing this!
DPN is grateful for the authors' dedication to writing this!
If anyone is looking for a roommate (or knows of someone) and has a room at the Atlantis for @acnporg.bsky.social please let me know!
October 2, 2025 at 7:29 PM
If anyone is looking for a roommate (or knows of someone) and has a room at the Atlantis for @acnporg.bsky.social please let me know!
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
@deffinger.bsky.social and @melissaherman.bsky.social argue that, though many human psychedelic clinical trials are underway, preclinical studies remain our best bet to answer fundamental questions about the neurobiology of psychedelics.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
Why we need basic science to better understand the neurobiology of psychedelics
Despite the many psychedelics clinical trials underway, there is still much we don’t know about how these drugs work. Preclinical studies represent our best viable avenue to answer these lingering…
www.thetransmitter.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:11 PM
@deffinger.bsky.social and @melissaherman.bsky.social argue that, though many human psychedelic clinical trials are underway, preclinical studies remain our best bet to answer fundamental questions about the neurobiology of psychedelics.
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
#neuroskyence
www.thetransmitter.org/psychedelics...
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
We still don’t know if microdosing psychedelics is effective or a placebo, but is it safe? Could microdosing activate cardiac 5HT2B receptors and cause valvulopathy? New work online at pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1... from @deffinger.bsky.social suggests that - at least in mice - the answer is no. 1/
pubs.acs.org
August 22, 2025 at 9:33 PM
We still don’t know if microdosing psychedelics is effective or a placebo, but is it safe? Could microdosing activate cardiac 5HT2B receptors and cause valvulopathy? New work online at pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1... from @deffinger.bsky.social suggests that - at least in mice - the answer is no. 1/
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
THRILLED to share @acnporg.bsky.social news x2!
1) Our study group “Centering Lived Experience in Psychiatric Neuroscience Research” @ericjnestler.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social @viscidula.bsky.social @noelvest.bsky.social @cahill-lab.bsky.social=ACCEPTED! 🤩 #ACNP2026
1) Our study group “Centering Lived Experience in Psychiatric Neuroscience Research” @ericjnestler.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social @viscidula.bsky.social @noelvest.bsky.social @cahill-lab.bsky.social=ACCEPTED! 🤩 #ACNP2026
August 12, 2025 at 7:58 PM
THRILLED to share @acnporg.bsky.social news x2!
1) Our study group “Centering Lived Experience in Psychiatric Neuroscience Research” @ericjnestler.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social @viscidula.bsky.social @noelvest.bsky.social @cahill-lab.bsky.social=ACCEPTED! 🤩 #ACNP2026
1) Our study group “Centering Lived Experience in Psychiatric Neuroscience Research” @ericjnestler.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social @viscidula.bsky.social @noelvest.bsky.social @cahill-lab.bsky.social=ACCEPTED! 🤩 #ACNP2026
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
@acnporg.bsky.social brought @umarchatterjee.bsky.social
@deffinger.bsky.social & me together last year: After finding each other on X-as we are all public/open about our lived experience -we met+discussed the ideas for this Study Group! Looking forward to doing this work together@ #ACNP2026💥🧠❤️
@deffinger.bsky.social & me together last year: After finding each other on X-as we are all public/open about our lived experience -we met+discussed the ideas for this Study Group! Looking forward to doing this work together@ #ACNP2026💥🧠❤️
THRILLED to share @acnporg.bsky.social news x2!
1) Our study group “Centering Lived Experience in Psychiatric Neuroscience Research” @ericjnestler.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social @viscidula.bsky.social @noelvest.bsky.social @cahill-lab.bsky.social=ACCEPTED! 🤩 #ACNP2026
1) Our study group “Centering Lived Experience in Psychiatric Neuroscience Research” @ericjnestler.bsky.social @mayaschumer.bsky.social @deffinger.bsky.social @viscidula.bsky.social @noelvest.bsky.social @cahill-lab.bsky.social=ACCEPTED! 🤩 #ACNP2026
August 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
@acnporg.bsky.social brought @umarchatterjee.bsky.social
@deffinger.bsky.social & me together last year: After finding each other on X-as we are all public/open about our lived experience -we met+discussed the ideas for this Study Group! Looking forward to doing this work together@ #ACNP2026💥🧠❤️
@deffinger.bsky.social & me together last year: After finding each other on X-as we are all public/open about our lived experience -we met+discussed the ideas for this Study Group! Looking forward to doing this work together@ #ACNP2026💥🧠❤️
It’s wild how much change is possible in this life. From relearning to talk post-TBI, to full blown heroin addiction, to a life beyond anything I could have imagined. Im very fortunate to not only be alive, but to have been selected to speak at 2025 TEDxBoulder!
July 31, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It’s wild how much change is possible in this life. From relearning to talk post-TBI, to full blown heroin addiction, to a life beyond anything I could have imagined. Im very fortunate to not only be alive, but to have been selected to speak at 2025 TEDxBoulder!
The paper is in its 2nd round of review so keep an eye out! Original version is on BioRxiv. I’ll post when it clears review!
July 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The paper is in its 2nd round of review so keep an eye out! Original version is on BioRxiv. I’ll post when it clears review!
The effect seems to rely on slower metabolism leading to sustained activation of the 5-HT2B receptor. Low dose LSD/psilocybin are off the receptor within 10 hours while a typical fenfluramine dose causes the receptor to remain bound for 24 hours. FYI MDMA has a similarly dangerous kinetic profile.
July 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
The effect seems to rely on slower metabolism leading to sustained activation of the 5-HT2B receptor. Low dose LSD/psilocybin are off the receptor within 10 hours while a typical fenfluramine dose causes the receptor to remain bound for 24 hours. FYI MDMA has a similarly dangerous kinetic profile.
We also calculated time course kinetics based on human data and demonstrate clear differences in kinetics between known valvulopathic drugs and low dose psychedelics that suggest the risk profile is very low with microdosing LSD or psilocybin.
July 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
We also calculated time course kinetics based on human data and demonstrate clear differences in kinetics between known valvulopathic drugs and low dose psychedelics that suggest the risk profile is very low with microdosing LSD or psilocybin.
A caveat: while mouse and human 5-HT2B receptor show no differences in affinity or efficacy, there are differences in metabolism. This slightly limits interpretability, but this is somewhat amended given that we used a known valvulopathic drug and showed pathological effects in mice.
July 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
A caveat: while mouse and human 5-HT2B receptor show no differences in affinity or efficacy, there are differences in metabolism. This slightly limits interpretability, but this is somewhat amended given that we used a known valvulopathic drug and showed pathological effects in mice.
Well, the speculation has good rationale. Based on their receptor pharmacology, they should have cardiovascular risk. However, my findings failed to demonstrate that effect and this is likely due to pharmacokinetics. Mouse and human 5-HT2B receptor show no differences in affinity or efficacy. [1/x]
July 18, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Well, the speculation has good rationale. Based on their receptor pharmacology, they should have cardiovascular risk. However, my findings failed to demonstrate that effect and this is likely due to pharmacokinetics. Mouse and human 5-HT2B receptor show no differences in affinity or efficacy. [1/x]
Thank you so much! It was so good (as always) to see you!
July 18, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Thank you so much! It was so good (as always) to see you!
Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D
Everyone approves of the dinner to end the #GRCPsychedelics 🦞
@deffinger.bsky.social @jasteralaina.bsky.social @sequencemyneuro.bsky.social @veronicachelu.bsky.social and Erin Neyhart
@deffinger.bsky.social @jasteralaina.bsky.social @sequencemyneuro.bsky.social @veronicachelu.bsky.social and Erin Neyhart
July 17, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Everyone approves of the dinner to end the #GRCPsychedelics 🦞
@deffinger.bsky.social @jasteralaina.bsky.social @sequencemyneuro.bsky.social @veronicachelu.bsky.social and Erin Neyhart
@deffinger.bsky.social @jasteralaina.bsky.social @sequencemyneuro.bsky.social @veronicachelu.bsky.social and Erin Neyhart
The inaugural #GRCPsychedelics was a success! I am honored to have been one of a few chosen to receive a travel award and be able to share the stage with the leaders in the field. 🙏 to the organizers! @alexkwan.bsky.social @vyazovskiy.bsky.social @melissaherman.bsky.social @viditavaidya.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The inaugural #GRCPsychedelics was a success! I am honored to have been one of a few chosen to receive a travel award and be able to share the stage with the leaders in the field. 🙏 to the organizers! @alexkwan.bsky.social @vyazovskiy.bsky.social @melissaherman.bsky.social @viditavaidya.bsky.social
It’s a common misconception that, for the person with a SUD, the substances are the problem. In my experience, the real problem was much deeper. Until I addressed the underlying causes/conditions, longterm sobriety was unattainable. Link in bio. #sober #sobriety #sobersky #recovery
May 4, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Was on a podcast recently where I dive into the neuroscience of addiction, psychedelics, and healing—from both the science and my lived experience. Grateful for the chance to share my journey and the science behind what’s actually going on in the brain. Check it out:
youtu.be/uNXrbEuturY
youtu.be/uNXrbEuturY
Neuroscience, Addiction, 12 Steps with Dr. Devin Effinger & Sarah Pritchard - PART 1
YouTube video by Impacting Recovery - Uncensored
youtu.be
April 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Was on a podcast recently where I dive into the neuroscience of addiction, psychedelics, and healing—from both the science and my lived experience. Grateful for the chance to share my journey and the science behind what’s actually going on in the brain. Check it out:
youtu.be/uNXrbEuturY
youtu.be/uNXrbEuturY
People have warned about #psychedelics and 5-HT2B receptor activation for years — citing potential cardiotoxicity.
But no one had tested it. Until now. We used echocardiography to assess cardiac risk after chronic LSD microdosing in mice.
@sthom003.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
But no one had tested it. Until now. We used echocardiography to assess cardiac risk after chronic LSD microdosing in mice.
@sthom003.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Assessing the potential cardiovascular risk of microdosing the psychedelic LSD in mice
Microdosing, the prolonged ingestion of psychedelics at sub-hallucinogenic doses, has gained popularity for its perceived cognitive and emotional benefits. Psychedelics have high affinity for 5-HT2B r...
www.biorxiv.org
April 14, 2025 at 1:12 PM
People have warned about #psychedelics and 5-HT2B receptor activation for years — citing potential cardiotoxicity.
But no one had tested it. Until now. We used echocardiography to assess cardiac risk after chronic LSD microdosing in mice.
@sthom003.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
But no one had tested it. Until now. We used echocardiography to assess cardiac risk after chronic LSD microdosing in mice.
@sthom003.bsky.social
www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Winter brain 2025 was a blast! Our panel on microdosing #psychedelics was the most attended session of the conference. We covered 4 distinct areas: anecdotal/lived experience, preclinical neuroscience, clinical, and cardiovascular risk. Most people stayed after for a great discussion. #WCBR2025
February 4, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Winter brain 2025 was a blast! Our panel on microdosing #psychedelics was the most attended session of the conference. We covered 4 distinct areas: anecdotal/lived experience, preclinical neuroscience, clinical, and cardiovascular risk. Most people stayed after for a great discussion. #WCBR2025
Are you @winter_brain ?? Come check out our panel this afternoon on microdosing #psychedelics. Including lived experience, preclinical effects, clinical effects, and my work utilizing rodent echocardiogram to assess potential cardiovascular risks. #WCBR2025 🍄 @sthom003.bsky.social
January 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Are you @winter_brain ?? Come check out our panel this afternoon on microdosing #psychedelics. Including lived experience, preclinical effects, clinical effects, and my work utilizing rodent echocardiogram to assess potential cardiovascular risks. #WCBR2025 🍄 @sthom003.bsky.social