Lecture 28- Hallucinogens

Question 1

tolerance and dependence

Answer 1

• tolerance to LSD’s hallucinatory and phsyical effects develops rapidly
• often, within a few days of continuous use, no amount of the drug will produce the desired effects
• after several days of abstinence, effects will return
• cross tolerance to shrooms and peyote

Question 2

therapeutic effects

Answer 2

• cold tolerance increases (percieved pain decreases most w highest LSD dose)
• LSD research showing it helps w severe depression, not as much w slight depression

Question 3

Methylated Amphetamines history (MDMA, DOM/STP, MDA)

Answer 3

• MDMA originally patented by Merck in 1914
• not marketed or studied until much later
• first reported street use in 1960s: DOM bad trips and MDA better received (called mellow drug of america)
• Use was overtaken by MDMA in 70s

Question 4

MDMA in 1980s and 90s

Answer 4

• MDMA placed in Schedule 1 in 1986
• MDMA rose in popularity in the rave/club scenes (1990s) “club drugs”

Question 5

Methylated Amphetamines dose/administration

Answer 5

• taken orally, can be injected or snorted
• effects can last 6-8 hours
• effective doses: MDMA 75-150 mg, MDA 50-150 mg

Question 6

Methylated Amphetamines- PD

Answer 6

• increase monoamine release, especially serotonin
• blocks 5-HT transporters (re-uptake) and dopamine but to lesser extent
• followed by compensatory decrease
• has sympathomimetic effects

Question 7

Methylated Amphetamines-Physiological effects

Answer 7

• resembles amphetamines
• suppressed appetite
• elevated HR and BP and temp
• sweating and salivation
• insomnia
• muscle tension
• bruxism (teeth grinding)
• trismus (lockjaw)

Question 8

MDMA psychological effects

Answer 8

• euphoria
• increased emotional warmth, empathy, and verbal behavior
• decreased defensiveness
• hallucinations uncommon
• effects result from combo of drug and environment
• MDMA more reinfocing/preferred than amphetamines

Question 9

Methylated amphetamines- withdrawal effects

Answer 9

• drowsiness, muscle pain, depression, paranoia, anxiety

Question 10

Methylated Amphetamines toxicity Why??

Answer 10

• dehydration, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, muscle breakdown, kidney failure, stroke, seizure, heart attacks -sympathomimetic effects
• usually after multiple/high doses
• adulterated (BZs, Caffeine, opiates)

Question 11

Methylated Amphetamines long term effects

Answer 11

• depletion of 5-HT and/or loss of 5-HT nerve terminals
• occur after single, high exposure or multiple low dose exposures (confirmed by brain imaging studies)
• depression and cognitive deficits (controversial)

Question 12

Anticholinergic hallucinogens list

Answer 12

• belladonna (deadly nightshade), mandrake, henbane, jimsonweed, hyoscine
• “witch’s brew” or “flying ointments” (1500s)
• modern day: Devils’s breath or zombie powder

Question 13

Anticholinergic hallucinogens: mechanism of action

Answer 13

• muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists
• atropine and scopolamine

Question 14

Anticholinergic hallucinogens- physiological use

Answer 14

• dry mouth, blurred vision, loss of motor control, icnreased HR and body temperature
• can cause repiratory failure due to narrow TW

Question 15

Anticholinergic hallucinogens- psychological effects

Answer 15

• dream-like trance and stupor
• usually appear delirious/confused
• poor memory of drug experience

Question 16

Anticholinergics medical uses- atropine sulfate

Answer 16

• dilates pupils for eye examinations
• reverses effects of nerve agonists

Question 17

Anticholinergics medical uses- scopolamine

Answer 17

• treats motion sickness
• postoperative nausea and vomiting

Question 18

Amanita Muscaria

Answer 18

• dual effects: muscarine (cholinergic agonist) and muscimol (GABA antagonist)
• use reported over 2000 years ago in the Hindu Rig-Veda
• is not metabolized, so passes unchanged through urine- reports of people drinking urine from intoxicated people in Rig-Veda
• initial loss of consciousness, then awaken to intense euphoria, energy, and hallucinations

Question 19

Dissociative anesthetics- effects

Answer 19

• produces general anesthesia in animals with/witout loss of consciousness (veterinary med)
• some people experience hyper-excitability, delirium, visual disturbances- never used medicinally in humans

Question 20

Dissociative anesthetics- popularity

Answer 20

• popularity rose in 1990s (around 20% of high schoolers) but has decreased significantly since then (1.6% of high schoolers now)

Question 21

Dissociative anesthetics- PK

Answer 21

• rapidly absorbed after smoking/injection (peaks within 5-15 mins)
• oral administration (2 hours)
• PCP can remain unmetabolized for more than 2 days- detectable in urine weeks later after single use

Question 22

Dissociative anesthetics- PD

Answer 22

• antagonists of glutamate receptors
• specific binding site on the NMDA-glutamate receptor
• prevents channel from opening, prevents the influx of Ca2+ and Na+

Question 23

Dissociative anesthetics- binding sites

Answer 23

• frontal cortex
• hippocampus
• nucleus accumbens
• spinal cord

Question 24

Dissociative anesthetics- physiological effects

Answer 24

• similar to alcohol
• feelings of euphoria/numbness
• slurred speech, motor incoordination
• sympathomimetic effects (sweating, increased HR/BP, Nystagmus- rapid, jerky eye movement)

Question 25

Dissociative anesthetics- psychological effects

Answer 25

• blurred or double vision (no visual hallucinations)
• distorted tactile sensation
• dream-like visions
• 4-6 hours to weeks depending on dose

Question 26

Dissociative anesthetics- SIde effects

Answer 26

• bad trips: paranoia/violence/aggression/hyperactivity- last for days/weeks
• seizures, come, death from respiratory failure
• some appear catatonic/rigid w blank stare

Question 27

Dissociative anesthetics- high dose effects

Answer 27

• similar to schizophrenia
• deficits in NMDAR function may be part of neurobiology for schizophrenia
• may have potential psychotherapeutic effects