Chapter 12 - Psychedelic Drugs Flashcards
what are psychedelic drugs
a wide variety of substances that produce reality altering experiences (hallucinations, sensory distortions, delusions, etc)
3 broad categories of psychedelics
- hallucinogens
- mixed stimulant psychedelics
- dissociative anesthetics
what are hallucinogens
large class of psychedelic drugs that are characterized by hallucinations
-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)
-psilocybin (magic mushroom)
-mescaline (peyote cactus)
-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
what is psilocybin
primary psychoactive psychoactive ingredient found in hallucinogenic mushrooms; rapidly converted into the active metabolite psilocin which accounts for most of the hallucinogenic effects of the drug
what is mescaline
hallucinogen found in peyote cactus; consumed by chewing disc-shaped buttons from the crown of the cactus
what is dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
found in a variety of hallucinogenic plants; usually brewed to make a tea called ayahuasca; small amounts of DMT are produced in the body; acts on serotonin receptors
who discovered LSD
Albert Hoffman (1943); derived from ergot fungus; accidentally discovered its hallucinogenic effects
oral use of LSD
small drops are placed onto paper and then licked; very potent; effective dose as low as 0.025 micrograms; reaches peak absorption after an hour
where is LSD metabolized
liver; half life of about 3 hours
LSD has few ____ effects but very pronounced ____ effects
physiological; subjective
true hallucination
perception of images or sounds that are not present
pseudo hallucination
alterations of the sights and sounds of things that are present (including synesthesia); effects depend on mood and environment; good vs bad trip
good trip
pleasant sensory distortions and pseudo-hallucinations; may also involve the experience of synesthesia)
bad trips
disturbing true hallucinations; negative emotional states; out of body sensations; psychotic episodes
effects of LSD
hypersuggestibility; flashbacks (of previous trips); hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (long term unpleasant memories of a previous trip)
why does LSD affect one’s ability to complete modal object completion tasks?
it alters the function of many sensory processing systems
LSD acts as a serotonin ____ for a variety of serotonin receptors
agonist
which receptors does LSD affect in the visual cortex?
5-HT1A and 5-HT2A; affects visual processes
what are mixed stimulant psychedelic drugs
have properties of psychostimulants and hallucinogens
what is MDMA (mixed stimulant)
3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine
sometimes referred to as entactogen (touching within) or as an empathogen (feeling of closeness to others); often associated with raves
pharmacokinetics of MDMA
oral administration; peak concentrations within 2hr; metabolized in liver (active metabolite methylenedioxyamphetamine); half life of about 9hr
MDMA affects both ____ and ____ neurotransmission
5-HT; DA
MDMA inhibits ____ and reverses ____ so that unstored 5-HT is released into the synapse
5-HT storage in synaptic vesicles; 5-HT membrane transporters
neurotoxicity of MDMA
chronic administration can produce severe damage to 5-HT neurons that may be difficult to overcome
adverse effects of MDMA (at higher doses)
stimulant-induced psychosis; increased heart rate; increased blood pressure; increased body temperature; multiple organ failure can occur due to hyperthermic effects of MDMA use
____ effects occur from normal use, which involves ____
rebound; depression and lethargy, risk of flashbacks and hallucinogen persisting perception disorder
what are dissociative anesthetics
sedative drugs that have some pain relieving effects; produce feelings of disconnect from the body
2 dissociative anesthetics
phencyclidine (PCP); ketamine
-produces schizophrenia-like symptoms
subjective effects of PCP
-low doses create drunken-like state
-moderate doses produce numbness and disrupt memory
-high doses produce psychostimulant (schizophrenic-like) states
routes of administration for PCP
inhalation (effects within minutes; peak conc in 30mins); IV injection; insufflation (effects in a minute or less); half life of 18-51hr
PCP and neurotransmission
endogenous opioids activate opioid kappa receptors
dextromethorphan (other psychedelic drugs)
found in OTC cold medicines; at a high dose acts as glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist that can produce PCP-like effects
salvinorin A (other psychedelic drugs)
psychoactive ingredient in the salvia plant; kappa opioid receptor agonist; associated with alterations in visual perception, depersonalization, and uncontrollable laughter
scopolamine and atropine
ACH antagonist (muscarinic) receptors; produce hallucinations, delusional thinking, and disorientation
