Hallucinogens Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define psychedelics
drugs which liberate the mind
Define entheogens
drugs which bring out the inner god
What are the classes of hallucinogen?
indolealkylamines
phenylethylamines
What are indolealkylamines and their structure?
similar structure to 5HT
naturally occurring; as an insecticide
e.g. LSD, psilocybin
What is LSD?
lysergic acid diethylamide
active ingredient from ergot fungus
taken via blotter paper or liquid
effects; seeing shapes, intense visual experience, euphoria, synaesthesia, time suspension
What risks are associated with LSD?
hallucinogen persisting perception disorder flashbacks psychosis (delusions) paranoia not long-lasting mental health problems
What is psilocybin?
the active ingredient found in the psilocybe mushroom
used by aztecs and mayans (indoalkylamine)
positive persistent effects; meaningful, positive life changing experiences
What is sclerotium tampenensis?
the active ingredient of the tampanensis mushroom (indoalkylamine)
What are phenylethylamines and their structure?
structural similarity to dopamine and norepinephrine
mixed hallucinogenic and stimulant effects
What is mescaline?
the active ingredient in the peyote cactus
ingested fresh/powder form
similar effects to LSD
legal for use in native indian american religious ceremonies
naturally occurring phenylethylamine
What is methoxyamphetamine?
MDMA
synthetic drug that resembles amphetamine
synthetic phenylethylamine
What are the effects of MDMA?
wakefulness, endurance, energy, euphoria, wellbeing, empathy, sharpened sensory perception, flight of ideas, anxiety, difficulty concentrating
How is serotonin synthesised?
from l-tryptophan in the diet
L-trypt + tryptophan hyroxylase = l-5-hyroxytryptophan
l-5-hyroxy + l-amino acid decarboxylase = 5-HT
What is the serotonin pathway?
cell bodies in the brainstem (dorsal raphe nucleus) project everywhere in the cortex
What are the types of serotonergic receptor?
5HT-1 - 15 all metabotropic (except 5-HT3A) auto receptors; 5-HT1A, B, D 5-HT1A; inhibits cAMP production and activates K+ channel opening 5-HT2A; excites protein kinase C and increases intracellular Ca2+
What are the mechanisms of action of LSD?
5HT1A receptor agonist in raphe nuclei
- inhibits firing of raphe neurons
- does not account for hallucinogenic effects
5HT2A receptor agonist
- hallucinogenic effects are absent in knockouts (head twitch)
- correlation between binding and hallucinogenic effects
- 5HT2A antagonists (riperidone) block subjective effects
What is the primary mechanism of the hallucinogenic effects of LSD?
preferential activation of later V pyramidal neurons in PFC via increased 5HT2AR stimulation
What is the primary mechanism of action of MDMA?
indirect serotonergic agonist; enters synaptic terminal via SERT and promotes release from vesicle by reversing function of SERT
increases 5HT release into synapse
increases release of DA and NE
evidence; SSRIs inhibit actions of MDMA by blocking the action of SERT (citalopram)
What is the function of 5HT1A?
inhibits cAMP production and activates K+ channel opening
What is the function of 5HT2A?§
excites protein kinase C and increases intracellular Ca2+
