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Devin Effinger, Ph.D

@deffinger.bsky.social

1.4K followers 1K following 29 posts

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Nov 15

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...

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · 6d

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

The Transmitter @thetransmitter.bsky.social · 7d

@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...

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

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Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Scott Thompson, PhD @sthom003.bsky.social · Aug 22

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

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Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Uma R. Chatterjee, M.S., MHPS @umarchatterjee.bsky.social · Aug 12

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

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Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Maya Schumer! @mayaschumer.bsky.social · Aug 13

@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💥🧠❤️

Uma R. Chatterjee, M.S., MHPS @umarchatterjee.bsky.social · Aug 12

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Aug 1

September 28th

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 31

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!

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

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!

Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

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.

Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

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.

Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

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.

Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

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]

Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

Thank you so much! It was so good (as always) to see you!

Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Alex Kwan @alexkwan.bsky.social · Jul 17

Everyone approves of the dinner to end the #GRCPsychedelics 🦞

@deffinger.bsky.social @jasteralaina.bsky.social @sequencemyneuro.bsky.social @veronicachelu.bsky.social and Erin Neyhart

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jul 18

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · May 4

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Apr 25

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

Neuroscience, Addiction, 12 Steps with Dr. Devin Effinger & Sarah Pritchard - PART 1

YouTube video by Impacting Recovery - Uncensored

youtu.be

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Apr 14

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...

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Feb 4

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jan 27

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

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Jan 25

Just getting into Tahoe. Who’s at Winter Brain??

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Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Bita Moghaddam @bita137.bsky.social · Jan 16

An amazing honor to give NIH’s WALS lecture today as the last speaker under the leadership of NIH Director Dr Monica Bertagnolli

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Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Britton Barbee @brittonrae.bsky.social · Jan 10

Great PDA seminars today by @deffinger.bsky.social and Jill King 🐭💊🧠

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Reposted by Devin Effinger, Ph.D

Scott Thompson, PhD @sthom003.bsky.social · Dec 18

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, led by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) - a gastroenterologist with an MD from LSU, just released a report entitled NIH IN THE 21st CENTURY: ENSURING TRANSPARENCY AND AMERICAN BIOMEDICAL LEADERSHIP. Since he is the ranking Republican,

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Devin Effinger, Ph.D @deffinger.bsky.social · Dec 12

@connorhaggarty.bsky.social I am bummed we didn’t get a chance to actually chat! Winter brain?

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