This Special Issue will highlight the latest developments and upcoming challenges in the field of psychedelic science. Submit your manuscript by June 30, 2025.
One of the most exciting and emerging areas of research falls under the classification of psychedelics (e.g., LSD) and entactogens (e.g., MDMA). Historically, these drugs have shown to be efficacious in treating a myriad of psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and anxiety disorder. However, several challenges remain relating to the safety and effectiveness of the drugs.
To showcase the latest research in this exciting field of “Psychedelics and Entactogens”, we are launching a cross-journal thematic Special Issue with the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ACS Chemical Neuroscience, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, and ACS Bio & Med Chem Au. We aim to promote the innovation in medicinal chemistry, molecular pharmacology, neuropharmacology, and clinical trial design applied to novel psychedelics and entactogens and encourage future research in this field.
Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Medicinal chemistry and synthetic pathways
- Mechanisms of action and pharmacodynamics
- Pharmacokinetics and drug metabolism
- Preclinical models and translational research
For more information on this Special Issue, read our joint Editorial. Submit your manuscript by June 30, 2025.
Organizing Editors
Squire J. Booker, Deputy Editor, ACS Bio & Med Chem Au
Pennsylvania State University, United States
Kelly Chibale, Editor-in-Chief, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
University of Cape Town, South Africa
Jacob M. Hooker, Editor-in-Chief, ACS Chemical Neuroscience
Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, United States
Craig W. Lindsley, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, United States
Christa E. Müller, Editor-in-Chief, ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universitat Bonn, Germany
Submission Information
We welcome submissions for this Special Issue through June 30, 2025. Please visit the relevant journal’s Author Guidelines page for Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ACS Chemical Neuroscience, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, or ACS Bio & Med Chem Au for more information on submission requirements.
Accepted manuscripts for consideration in this Special Issue will include research articles, drug annotations, letters, microperspectives, perspectives, reviews, technical notes, and viewpoints.Papers accepted for publication for this Special Issue will be available ASAP (as soon as publishable) online as soon as they are accepted. After all submissions have been published, they will then be compiled online on a dedicated landing page to form the Special Issue. Manuscripts submitted for consideration will undergo the full rigorous peer review process expected from ACS journals.
How to Submit
- Log in to the ACS Publishing Center.
- Select the “Journals” tab.
- Choose Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, ACS Chemical Neuroscience, ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters, ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, or ACS Bio & Med Chem.
- Click "Submit."
- Select your manuscript type, and, under "Special Issue Selection," choose “Psychedelics and Entactogens."
If you have any general questions regarding submission to this Special Issue, please contact:
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry: managing.editor@jmedchem.acs.org
ACS Chemical Neuroscience: managing.editor@chemneuro.acs.org
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters: managing.editor@medchemlett.acs.org
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science: managing.editor@ptsci.acs.org
ACS Bio & Med Chem Au: managing.editor@biomedchemau.acs.org
Open Access Info
There are diverse open-access options for publications in American Chemical Society journals. Please visit our Open Science Resource Center for more information.
Please note that ACS Bio & Med Chem Au is a gold open access journal, which means your work will be immediately freely available for anyone to read in perpetuity. Article Publication Charges (APC) apply for publication in this fully open access journal. Please see our website for more information on Open Access Pricing, our ACS Country Discount & Waiver Policy, and ACS Read and Publish Agreements.
Stay Connected With These Journals
Never miss an issue again! Sign up below for email updates on future calls for papers, the latest articles, and other content from all of the journals featured in this Special Issue:
Get e-Alerts
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Journal of Medicinal Chemistry publishes studies that contribute to an understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and biological activity or mode of action.
Get e-Alerts
ACS Chemical Neuroscience
ACS Chemical Neuroscience publishes high-quality research articles and reviews that showcase chemical, quantitative biological, biophysical and bioengineering approaches to the understanding of the nervous system and to the development of new treatments for neurological disorders.
Get e-Alerts
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters
ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters publishes studies that pertain to a broad range of subject matter, including compound design and optimization, biological evaluation, drug delivery, imaging agents, drug interactome studies, and pharmacology of both small and large bioactive molecules.
Get e-Alerts
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science publishes high quality, innovative, and impactful research across the broad spectrum of biological sciences, covering basic and molecular sciences through to translational preclinical studies.
Get e-Alerts
ACS Bio & Med Chem Au
ACS Bio & Med Chem Au is an open access journal publishing work on all aspects of biological and medicinal chemistry.
