Aserenic, oranti-aggressive drug, is a type ofdrug which reduces the capacity foraggression.^[1] Known drugs with antiaggressive effects include variousserotonergic agents,antidopaminergic drugs likeantipsychotics,anticonvulsants andmood stabilizers,beta blockers,nicotine,cannabinoids,oxytocin- andvasopressin-related drugs, andtestosterone-suppressing drugs.

The recreational drugMDMA ("ecstasy") and a variety of related drugs have been described asempathogen-entactogens, or simply asentactogens.^[2] These agents possess serenic andempathy-increasing properties in addition to theireuphoriant effects, and have been associated with increased sociability, friendliness, and feelings of closeness to others as well asemotional empathy andprosocial behavior.^[3][4] The entactogenic effects of these drugs are thought to be related to their ability to temporarily increase the levels of certain brain chemicals, includingserotonin,^[5]dopamine, and, particularly,oxytocin.^[3][6][7]

Certain otherserotonergic drugs, such as5-HT_1A receptor agonists, also increase oxytocin levels and may possess serenic properties as well.^[8] Thephenylpiperazine mixed 5-HT_1A and5-HT_1B receptor agonistseltoprazine,fluprazine, andbatoprazine have been described based onanimal research as serenics.^[9] The selective 5-HT_1Abiasedfull agonistF-15,599 (NLX-101) has shown antiaggressive effects in rodents as well.^[10]

The serotonin5-HT_2C receptor agonistlorcaserin has been found to reduce impulsive aggression in people withintermittent explosive disorder (IED).^{[11][12][13][14]} Serotonin 5-HT_2C receptor agonists have also been found to produce antiaggressive effects in rodents.^[11]

Theserotonergic psychedelicsDOB andDOI, which act as serotonin5-HT₂ receptor agonists, show antiaggressive effects in rodents.^{[11][15][16][17]} However, DOI has also been found to have pro-aggressive effects.^[11] In older literature, other psychedelics, includingLSD,psilocin,dimethyltryptamine (DMT), andmescaline, have been found to reduce aggression in monkeys, but have also been found to increase aggression in animals in other contexts.^[18] Serotonin5-HT_2A receptor antagonists have been found to reduce aggression in animals.^[11]Atypical antipsychotics, which act in part as serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor antagonists, have antiaggressive effects in humans.^[11]Theselective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)sertraline,fluvoxamine, andfluoxetine inhibited aggression in rodents, whereas the SSRIscitalopram andparoxetine were ineffective.^[19][20]

Antipsychotics, which aredopamineD₂ receptorantagonists, are well-known as reducing aggression in humans and have been clinically employed for this purpose.^[21]Molindone is under development for the treatment ofimpulsive aggression in children and adolescents withattention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).^[22][23]

Certainanticonvulsants andmood stabilizers, includingvalproic acid/divalproex sodium,carbamazepine,oxcarbazepine,phenytoin,lamotrigine,topiramate, andlithium, have been found to be effective in the treatment ofaggression.^{[24][25][26][27][28]} Certain others, includinggabapentin andtiagabine, may also have antiaggressive effects.^[24][26][28] Conversely,levetiracetam has been found to be ineffective.^[24][28] Although anticonvulsants have been found to be effective for treating aggression, it has been reported that many of the same drugs might also produceanger, aggression, andirritability in people withepilepsy.^[29][30]

Beta blockers, orβ-adrenergic receptorantagonists, have been used to treataggression andagitation.^[31] Beta blockers that have been used for such purposes includepropranolol,pindolol, andnadolol.^[31]

Psychostimulants likemethylphenidate andamphetamines as well as theatypical antipsychotic risperidone are useful in reducing aggression andoppositionality in children and adolescents withattention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),antisocial personality disorder, andautism spectrum disorder with moderate to largeeffect sizes and greater effectiveness than other studied medications.^[32][33] Another meta-analysis found that methylphenidate slightly reducedirritability while amphetamines increased the risk of irritability several-fold in children with ADHD however.^[34] Other research has found no impact ofamphetamine ormethamphetamine on aggression in humans.^[35]

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors within the CNS, specificallyα₇ homopentameric receptors, are implicated in the regulation of aggression. The serenic effect of nicotine is well documented both in laboratory animals and humans, and, conversely,nicotinic receptor antagonists and nicotine withdrawal are associated with irritability and aggression.^[36][37][38] Additionally, nicotinic receptors are required forrabies virus entry into a neuron, and the dysfunction of these neurons is implicated in the rabies-associated aggression.^[39]

Cannabinoids likenabilone have been studied and reported effective for management of severe aggression in people with profoundautism and otherintellectual anddevelopmental disabilities.^[40]

Agonists andantagonists of thereceptors for theendogenoushormonesoxytocin andvasopressin, respectively, have been shown to decrease aggressive behavior in scientific research, implicating them in the normal regulation of pathways involving aggressive behavior in the brain.^[41][42]Small-moleculeoxytocin-like drugs likeKNX-100 have been found to produce antiaggressive effects in animals.^[43] Certainneurosteroids, such asallopregnanolone, also appear to play a role in the regulation of aggression, including, notably,sexually-dimorphic aggressive behavior.^[44] Thesex hormonestestosterone andestradiol regulate aggression as well.^[45][46][47]

• Acne § Medication therapy
• List of investigational aggression drugs
• List of investigational agitation drugs

• Antiaggressive drugs

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata