LSD Flashcards
What does LSD stand for?
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
What type of chemical is LCD and where is it from?
alkaloid that is synthesized
What are some scientific properties of LSD?
- volatile (reactive)
- water-soluble
- oxidation
- photosensitivity
- powder
- highly potent
- sympathomimetic
What is sympathomimetic?
mimic/stimulate activity of the sympathetic nervous system
What are the two aspects of sympathomimetic activity?
1) physiological arousal of “fight or flight”
2) parasympathetic suppression (anorectic effects)
What happens during the onset of LSD?
- 30 min
- no physiological effects
- sensation of relaxing
- sympathomimetic response
What happens during the plateau of LSD?
- 30 min - 2 h
- four effects:
1) images with eyes closed
2) synaesthesia
3) perception of “multilevel reality”
4) distorted (exaggerated/strange) visual input - visual cortex/locus coeruleus
What happens during the peak of LSD?
- 3 - 5 h
- 3 effects:
1) emotion/panic swings
2) feelings of timelessness
3) disembodiment or “ego-disintegration” - prefrontal cortex
What general biological effect does LSD cause?
Agonism
What receptors are affected by LSD in the visual cortex and what does this result in?
- 5-HT 1A and 2A
- decrease activity in occipital lobe (disrupt model object completion)
What receptors are affected by LSD in the locus coeruleus?
- metabotropic receptors
- serotonin 5-HT 2A
Which two 2A receptors are excited with LSD?
1) glutamate: increase sensory signals
2) GABA: decrease “spontaneous” signals (noise)
How does the affect on 5-HT 2A receptors affect the cerebral cortex?
- induces glutamate release
What explains the psychotic actions of LSD?
interaction between dopamine and serotonin
Does LSD result in tolerance?
- acute (3 days - 1 week)
- cross-tolerance with tryptamine family
