HALLUCINOGENS: NOREPINEPHRINE AND GABA ENHANCERS Flashcards
6 questions
______: important neurotransmitter of peripheral sympathetic nervous system
excitation and inhibition of smooth muscle, cardiac excitation, general modulation of CNS
norepinephrine
______: small spineless cactus
native to NE Mexico, southern Texas
name derived from peyotl (Aztec term for cactus)
used as hallucinogenic entheogen by Mayan, Aztec, and Central America civilizations for divination, shamanistic purposes
dried pieces “buttons”, are chewed and swallowed, can also be steeped in water to make pungent tea
Spanish attempted to suppress its use, but its use prevailed
now legally incorporated for use by Native Americans
initial effects: nausea, chills, vomiting, anxiety, disorientation then followed by visual-auditory hallucinations and strong mental stimulation
active principle: mescaline (protoalkaloid)
peyote cactus
T/F: members of Native American church can legally possess peyote cactus, mescaline is otherwise illegal in NA and Europe
in Canada, peyote cactus can be possessed, but not mescaline
true!
who tried to suppress the use of mescaline from peyote cactus?
Spanish conquerors tried to suppress the indigenous use
how long can the brilliantly-covered, moving objects and motion hallucinations persist? From peyote cactus
for ten hours or more!
some users describe disturbing flashbacks a few days- even weeks- later
what is the active compound of peyote cactus? how does it work?
mescaline (simple protoalkaloid)
functions as a norepinephrine mimic in CNS, blocks the release of acetylcholine and affects potassium conductance in CNS
______: large spiny cactus
native to deserts of western Peru
may have been used as entheogen 3200 years ago by Chavin people
has a rich history of traditional use by indigenous Peruvians for shamanistic purposes, particularly for diagnosis of illness and cures
active principle: mescaline, concentrated in outer tissue of green stems
powdered material can be swallowed whole, or taken as bitter-tasting tea
overall effects are the same as peyote
san pedro cactus
what is the active principle of san pedro cactus? how is it harvested?
mescaline
spines of stems are removed, outer tissue peeled away, dried in sun and powdered
T/F: a number of other members of the Cactus family contain mescaline
true!
cactus family is very large! (~1750 species) and mostly exclusive to the Americas
______: derived from the decarboxylation of glutamic acid
depresses synaptic transmission in CNS
GABA
_______: hallucinogenic mushroom
occurs in boreal regions of Eurasia and NA
one of the world’s most widely distributed natural hallucinogen
forms mycorrhizal associations with coniferous and hardwood trees
used by indigenous tribes in Siberia for shamanistic purposes
consumed fresh or dried
ceremonial drinking of urine of mushroom drinkers was performed, as hallucinogens were excreted in urine intact
two active principles: muscimol (GABA receptor agonist) and ibotenic acid (stimulates glutamate receptors)- together produce agitated state of delirium
effects are similar to alcohol, with addition of powerful hallucinations
might be soma in Ayurvedic vedas?
fly agaric mushroom
what mushroom forms mycorrhizal associations with both coniferous and hardwood tree species
fly agaric mushroom
what did indigenous Siberian tribes use fly agaric for?
divination rites, contact the spirit world, diagnose illnesses, recreational purposes (often at most social gatherings)
why was there ceremonial drinking of urine by Siberian tribes?
hallucinogens were excreted intact in a mushroom eater’s urine
what are the two active principles of fly agaric? what do they do?
muscimol: GABA receptor agonist- mild sedating effect
ibotenic acid: stimulates receptors of glutamate- produces state of delirium
