Psilocybin Flashcards
What are psilocybin a precursor to?
active ingredient “psilocin”
What is psilocin similar to?
similar to LSD (tryptamine) because it is a lipid-soluble indole
How is psilocybin taken?
ingestion because need first-pass metabolism to become active
What qualitative effects occur when taking a low dose of psilocybin?
social, warm, down to earth feelings (less confusion, grounded with self)
What qualitative effects occur when taking a high dose of psilocybin?
resembles LSD and extremely prone to “bad trips”
What happens to the high times if you take different doses of psilocybin?
the high times are all 2-5 hours despite dose
What is the general effect of psilocybin?
- similar to LSD but less intense
- partial agonist
Which receptors does psilocybin affect?
1) serotonin (5-HT 2A)
2) Dopamine ?
What affects results from psilocybin and serotonin 5-Ht 2A receptors?
- distort time perception
- subjective feeling of slowing down
- inability to coordinate tempo above 2-2.5 seconds
- prefrontal cortex
What effect is seen at low doses of psilocybin on 5-HT 2A receptors?
increase in sense of humour (most likely related to insula)
What effects result from psilocybin and dopamine receptors?
- basal ganglia
- may relate to permissive hypothesis because psilocybin has no affinity for D2 receptor
What is the “permissive” hypothesis?
if you have too much of one nt can convert to another (serotonin, dopamine)
Can psilocybin result in tolerance?
- acute: 4-7 days to dissipate
- cross tolerance: LSD and phenethlamines
- potentiation: MAO inhibitors prolong the high
Can psilocybin result in dependence?
no observable dependence
What is the mechanism that results in therapeutic effects of using psilocybin?
reduction of 5-HT 2A receptors
