Hallucinogens Flashcards
hallucinogens
includes a wide variety of different substances and compounds
hallucinogens are drugs that alter
perception, conscious awareness, mood, thinking processes & physiology
perception
sensory disturbances
more than 90 different of these produce these kinds of effects
different plant species and more synthetic agents
serotonergic hallucinogens examples
LSD, mescaline (peyote), psilocybin (mushrooms)
serotonergic hallucinogens influence in the brain
influence serotonergic transmission in the brain
all bind to 5-HT2A- serotonin receptor
vivid visual hallucinations
alleviate signs of depression, PTSD, OCD
methylated amphetamines examples
structurally like amphetamines
MDA & MDMA
methylated amphetamines influence on the brain
produce changes in mood and consciousness
few sensory changes- no vivid hallucinations
act on dopamine, norepinephrine & serotonin synapses
do NOT bind to 5-HT2A
anticholinergic hallucinogens examples
less familiar than most
mandrake, henbane, belladonna, jimsonweed
anticholinergic hallucinogens influence on the brain
produce a dream-like trance
users often have no memory of the experience
antagonists of acetylcholine
muscarinic receptors
phencyclidine examples
PCP (angel dust), ketamine
dissociative anesthetics
dissociative anesthetics
produces surgical anesthesia while patient remains semiconscious
thought to act on glutamate- excitatory neurotransmitter
salvinorin
kappa hallucinogen
salvia divinorum
generally not well understood
seems to act on opiate receptors/kappa receptors
serotonergic hallucinogens
often used by indigenous peoples of Central & South America & different groups across Africa
frequently used in religious ceremonies
all produce vivid visual hallucinations
drugs entered mainstream European & American culture in the 1960s
Albert Hofmann
discovered LSD in 1938
Hofmann was studying derivatives of ergot (fungus that infests grain & causes disease)
ergot derivatives = several medical uses
medical uses of ergot derivatives
treatment of migraines & uterine contractions during pregnancy
synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25)
no obvious medical properties
1943 Hofmann spilled a small amount on his hand and it was absorbed
led him to studying the effects
psychotherapy and LSD
based on Hofmann’s experiences- LSD was distributed by Sandoz for use during psychotherapy
argued that the drug would break down a person’s ego
used on people like Cary Grant- “it changed my whole life”
most influential users: Timothy Leary (Harvard psychologist) & Ken Kesey (writer)
Leary & LSD
over time- ernest experiments on the potential uses of LSD transformed into parties with faculty, students & celebrities
Leary became a leader of a religious movement- called himself the “high priest”
LSD is the way to spiritual enlightenment
left Harvard in 1963
Ken Kesey & LSD
wrote One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest
hosted large parties with 100s of people in California
LSD began to make an impact on Hippie culture
started to influence music- Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Jimi Hendrix (acid rock)
LSD in the 60s
by 1960- LSD was the most controversial drug in the world
over 2 million people in the US had tried it
negative publicity- will cause chromosome damage, causes insanity, suicide, acts of violence, homicidal behavior
led to a dramatic decrease in use by 1980
LSD in the 90s
hallucinogenic use decreased through the 1980s
started to make a comeback in the 1990s
1996- 8.8% of high schoolers reported using LSD
interest in other hallucinogens grew and generally replaced LSD
2016- 4.3% of high school seniors had used
MDMA use- 2.7%
mechanisms of action of serotonergic hallucinogens
related to the functions of serotonin
LSD, psilocybin and several others have chemical structures that resemble serotonin
generally accepted that these hallucinogens = serotonin agents
mescaline does not work with this theory
Mescaline
much more closely resembles amphetamine
but this is problematic because… mescaline also produces vivid visual hallucinations
shows cross-tolerance with LSD
pharmacokinetics of LSD-like drugs
all of these seem to work on serotonin receptors (5-HT2A)
drugs in this class vary in potency, duration, etc.
pharmacokinetics of LSD
most potent
25 micrograms can produce effects through oral administration
is rapidly absorbed
effects are felt 20-60 min after consumption
often persist 8-12 hours
psilocybin
dosing more difficult
typically 5-10 grams are taken
lasts 4-6 hours
mescaline
normally taken orally 5-20 “buttons”
is about 1/3000 as potent as LSD
duration 10-14 hours
psychotherapeutic uses
currently a group @ Johns Hopkins working with psilocybin- moderate doses with advanced stage cancer- reduced anxiety and depression
benefits with alcohol and nicotine SUDs
mechanisms are not well understood- needs to be administered by a therapist
common parts of a trip
vivid visual hallucinations
synesthesia
bizarre cognitive experiences
mood alterations
experiences of “magical” thinking
vivid visual hallucinations
spiral explosions and vortex patterns
among the most frequently reported experiences
also reported under specific medical conditions
migraine headaches
synesthesia
the fusing of the senses
a sound might have a particular color
experiences of “magical” thinking
insights, enlightenment
can experience frightening things
panic or paranoia
can increase risk of harm to self or others
often long lasting increases in sense of well-being
negative effects associated with LSD
being exposed to a drug without knowing it
flashbacks
long-term psychosis
being exposed to a drug without knowing it
makes bad trips more likely
flashbacks
reexperiencing some portion of the trip that occurred much earlier
usually visual disturbance
usually precipitated by stress or fatigue
long-term psychosis
doesn’t seem to be causally linked- BUT
may exacerbate other problems
may interact with other drugs
may make it more likely that predisposed people experience psychosis
methylated amphetamines
MDMA (ex. ecstasy)
MDMA origin
started as a drug w/ psychotherapy benefits
1990s- club drug, 1996= 4.6% of HS seniors had used it
2001= 9.2%
MDMA, MDA and MDE
more similar to amphetamine in their effects
legal until 1985
produce few-> no visual hallucinations
mild euphoria, openness, feeling of warmth and empathy, love drug, lack of defensiveness- considered more like empathogens than hallucinogens
effects of methylated amphetamines
usually taken orally- can be injected or snorted
absorbed rapidly- 6-8 hours
MDMA release
sympathomimetic effects
MDMA release
increases release of monoamines but specifically serotonin
also blocks reuptake of serotonin and dopamine- to a lesser extent
sympathomimetic effects of MDMA
increase HR, BP, pupil dilation, body temp, increased muscle tension, teeth grinding- bruxism, decreased appetite, insomnia
MDMA more reinforcing than amphetamines, users prefer it compared to other amphetamines
toxicity of MDMA
toxic effects include: dehydration, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, muscle breakdown, kidney failure, stroke, seizures
can occur even with relatively low doses- unclear if b/c of MDMA or additives
residual effects of MDMA
brain damage?
Ricaurte 1985
researchers have found that MDMA does seem to reduction in serotonergic function
some evidence that the system recovers after period of absence
Ricaurte 1985
after several administrations- rats have depletion of serotonin
caused by degradation of serotonergic neuron terminals
replicated in many species- including primates
one large dose 20mg or small doses 5mg over consecutive days
psychotherapeutic uses of MDMA
enhances communicative ability and empathy- decreases defensiveness
used therapeutically- client is on drug while physically in therapy
PTSD- openness felt because drug leads them to discuss things they normally would not
Mithoefer- found therapeutic benefits at 2 year follow up
dissociative anesthetic hallucinogens
phenylcyclidine- PCP
ketamine
phenylcyclidine- PCP
1956- general tranquilizing effects
left animals conscious but no feeling of pain- tranquilizer in vet practices
in humans- hyperexcitability, delirium, visual disturbances
emerged as a street drug in 1970s
1980s- 20% high school seniors used it
1990s- use dropped to 3%
2016- less than 1.3%
ketamine
often included among club drugs
snorted, injected, oral, smoked
started as horse tranquilizer
Hopfer- over 18% of clients in treatment for substance abuse used ketamine- one of the most popular street drugs
effects of PCP and ketamine moderate doses
1-10 mg
feeling of euphoria and numbness
general motor discoordination
users may be catatonic or hyperactive
effects of ketamine and PCP larger doses
hallucinations- feelings that different body parts and shrinking/growing- K hole
paranoia and sometimes violence that lasts for several days
effects of ketamine and PCP long term
long term cognitive impairments
far more likely- compared to LSD- create psychotic symptoms
dissociative anesthetic hallucinogens
psychotherapeutic uses
ketamine and depression
single dose of ketamine may improve unrelenting depressive symptoms within hours- results are brief, few days
allows for other drugs and psychotherapy to work- buying therapist time
