[5] SLC18A2 is an integral membrane protein that transports monoamines—particularly neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin, and histamine—from cellular cytosol into synaptic vesicles.

[10] Although most amphetamines and other monoamine releasing agents (MRA) act on VMAT2, several MRAs, including phentermine, phenmetrazine, and benzylpiperazine (BZP), are inactive at VMAT2.

Those with cocaine-induced mood disorders displayed a significant loss of SLC18A2 immunoreactivity; this might reflect damage to dopamine axon terminals in the striatum.

[28][29] However, it has been observed that certain tricylcic and tetracylcic antidepressants (as well as a high-mesembrine Sceletium tortuosum extract) can upregulate the activity of VMAT2 in vitro, though whether this is due to a direct interaction is unknown.

[30][31] Geneticist Dean Hamer has suggested that a particular allele of the SLC18A2 gene correlates with spirituality using data from a smoking survey, which included questions intended to measure "self-transcendence".