Hallucinogens (Psychedelics) Chapter 12

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• Hallucinogens(Psychedelics)Chapter 12

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Hallucinogens

• Hallucinogens are substances that alter sensory
  processing in the brain, causing perceptual
  disturbances, changes in thought processing, and
  depersonalization.
• Depersonalization is an anomaly of the mechanism
  by which an individual has self-awareness. It is
  a feeling of watching oneself act, while having
  no control over a situation. Sufferers feel they
  have changed, and the world has become less real,
  vague, dreamlike, or lacking in significance. It
  can be a disturbing experience, since many feel
  that, indeed, they are living in a "dream". 1
• Sometimes described as causing a spiritual-like
  experience.
• 1Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depersonaliz
  ation

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History of Hallucinogens

• Have been used for centuries for religious
  purposes.
• There are many indications that medicine men,
  priests, and other mystics have use herbs and
  drugs that caused experiences that are know today
  as hallucinations.
• Abuse of hallucinogens became a problem in the
  United States in the 1960s

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History of Hallucinogens

• The Native American Church
• Because the hallucinogen mescaline plays a
  central role in ceremonies of Native Americans,
  Congress passed legislation allowing its use for
  religious ceremonies.
• The American Indian Religious Act (1978)was an
  attempt by Congress to allow the Native American
  Church access to Peyote due to constitutional
  guarantees of religious freedom. The 1994
  amendment clarified that the peyote was only to
  be used for religious ceremonies

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History of Hallucinogens

• Timothy Leary and the League of Spiritual
  Discovery
• Tim Leary, after being fired from Harvard in 1963
  undertook a constitutional strategy intended to
  retain legitimate access to LSD (Lysergic acid
  diethylamide). He began a religion called the
  League of Spiritual Discovery. LSD was the
  Sacrament. The orientation manual was called The
  Psychedelic Experience (textbook online). In
  1969, Federal authorities sentenced Leary to 20
  years imprisonment (he was released in 1976)

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The Nature of Hallucinogens(see Signs and
Symptoms of Hallucinogens, p.354)

• Many drugs can exert hallucinogenic effects
• Traditional hallucinogens (LSD-types)
• Phenylethylamines (Ecstasy, amphetamines)
• Anticholinergic agents (Jimsonweed and other
  natural products)
• Cocaine
• Steroids

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Nature of Hallucinogens

• Because of the nature of hallucinogens they can
  produce varied responses. Hallucinogens have been
  described as
• Psychedelic
• Psychotogenic Inducing psychosis
• Psychotomimetic pertaining to, characterized
  by, or producing symptoms similar to those of a
  psychosis

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Nature of Hallucinogens
The features of Hallucinogens that distinguish
them from other drug groups are their ability to
alter perception, thought, and feeling in such a
manner that does not normally occur except in
dreams or during experiences of extreme religious
exaltation.
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Sensory and Psychological Effects of Hallucinogens

• Typical users will experience several stages of
  sensory experiences (some or all of below)
• Heightened, exaggerated senses
• Loss of control
• Self-reflection
• Loss of identity and a sense of cosmic merging

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Sensory and Psychological Effects of Hallucinogens

• Altered senses
• Heightened Colors, Object distortions, Change in
  the sense of time and distance
• Synesthesia a cross-over phenomenon between the
  senses. Sound develops visual dimensions, and
  visual objects develop sound dimensions (ex. See
  sounds and Hear Colors).

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Sensory and Psychological Effects of Hallucinogens

• Loss of control
• The LSD user cannot determine if the trip will
  be pleasant or a bad trip with recollections of
  hidden fears and suppressed anxieties can
  precipitate neurotic or psychotic responses.
• Bad Trips can include feelings of panic,
  confusion, fear, helplessness, and total lack of
  control.

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Sensory and Psychological Effects of Hallucinogens

• Loss of control
• Flashbacks Recurrences of the frightening
  experiences (Bad trips) can occur at a later
  time, even though LSD has not been taken again.
  These occurrences are called flashbacks.

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Sensory and Psychological Effects of Hallucinogens

• Self Reflection
• One becomes aware of thoughts and feelings that
  are hidden beneath the surface of consciousness
  (ie. forgotten or repressed feelings).
• It is possible that the effects of LSD may be
  used treat emotional problems such as depression
  in cancer patients, obsessive-compulsive
  disorders, and end-of-life anxiety. However, the
  unpredictability of human response to these drugs
  creates a challenge for therapeutic use.

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Sensory and Psychological Effects of Hallucinogens

• Loss of identity and a sense of cosmic merging
• A mystical-spiritual aspect of the drug
  experience. The Hallucination gives one the
  experience of blending with the surroundings and
  being in totality with the universe.
• The loss of identity and personal boundaries
  caused by the hallucinations is not necessarily a
  pleasant experience for these individuals with
  rigid highly organized personalities. The
  experience can cause panic and anxiety, even
  suicide.

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Traditional Hallucinogens LSD and Other Types
of Agents (possible mechanisms of LSD activity)

• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
• Similar to ergot alkaloids (see also ergotism),
  synthesized by experimentation with ergot
  compounds. Albert Hoffman created slight chemical
  modifications to lysergic acid creating LSD.
• LSD induced psychosis and was initially studied
  to investigate the symptoms of schizophrenia.
  Interest in the use of LSD declined as it became
  generally accepted that LSD effects differed from
  natural psychosis.
• LSD has been tried in psychotherapy in treatment
  of alcoholism, paranoia, schizophrenia.

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Traditional Hallucinogens LSD Types of Agents
(continued)

• Physical properties of LSD
• Synthesis of LSD requires about one week, and
  requires the skills of a trained chemist
• In pure form colorless, odorless, tasteless
• Comes in several forms Tiny tablets microdots,
  capsules, thin squares of gelatin window panes,
  and applied to paper as blotter acid and cut up
  into 0.25 inch squares
• .One gram of LSD can provide
• 10,000 individual doses

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Traditional Hallucinogens LSD Types of Agents
(continued)

• Physiological Effects LSD is very potent (20-30
  mcg)
• LSD is particularly concentrated in the brain at
  the hypothalamus and limbic system, and the
  auditory and visual reflex centers.
• The Limbic system undergoes an electric storm
  of activity which may correlate with the
  synesthesia reported by the user.
• Physical signs (sympathetic) include increase in
  body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure and
  hyperhidrosis, with concomitant dilation of the
  pupils. (30-90 min. activation)

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Traditional HallucinogensLSD Types of Agents
(continued)

• Physiological effects continued
• Parasympathetic nervous system (increase in
  salivation and nausea).
• Individuals do not become physically dependent,
  but psychological dependency can occur.
• Tolerance develops very quickly and to repeated
  doses because of a change in sensitivity of the
  target cells in the brain rather than a change in
  the metabolism of LSD

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Traditional Hallucinogens LSD Types of Agents
(continued)

• LSD Behavioral effects
• Creativity and insight Perhaps it is just the
  belief that one is more creative or less
  restricted by normal boundaries.
• Adverse psychedelic effects there is no typical
  response to LSD. The experience varies as a
  function of the users set and setting. User may
  freakout on a bad trip.
• Perceptual effects -

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Traditional Hallucinogens LSD Types of Agents
(continued)

• LSD Behavioral effects (continued)
• Perceptual effects LSD alters both visual and
  auditory perception. In some cases, LSD alters
  perceptions to the extent that people feel
  (believe) that they can walk on water or fly
  through the air.
• The user may experience flashbacks that are
  pleasant or unpleasant. There are three
  categories of unpleasant flashbacks 1) Body trip
  recurrence of an unpleasant physical sensation
  2) Mind trip distressing thought or emotion,
  and 3) Altered Visual Perception the most
  frequent type of recurrence consisting of seeing
  dots, flashes, trails of light, halos, motion in
  the peripheral field, and other sensations.

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Traditional Hallucinogens LSD Types of Agents
(continued)

• LSD Behavioral effects (continued)
• Flashbacks are disturbing because they come
  unexpectedly most subside within weeks or
  months after taking LSD, and the duration is
  usually a few minutes to several hours.
• The precise mechanism of flashbacks is unknown
  possible because of the altercation on the brain
  via neurotransmitters effected by LSD use.
• Treatment of flashbacks includes reassurance that
  the condition will go away and the use of
  sedatives to treat anxiety and panic associated
  with the recurrent flashbacks

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Other LSD Types of Agents

• Mescaline (Peyote)
• Mescaline is the most active drug in peyote it
  induces intensified perception of colors and
  euphoria.
• Effects include dilation of the pupils, increase
  in body temperature, anxiety, visual
  hallucinations, alteration of body image,
  vomiting, muscular relaxation.
• The last effect is a type of hallucination in
  which parts of the body may disappear or be
  distorted. They may have a two people
  experience within themselves
• Users report that they lose all sense of time
• Like LSD, users may experience synesthesia

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Other LSD Types of Agents

• Mescaline (Peyote)
• Within 30-120 minutes, mescaline reaches a
  maximum concentration in the brain.
• Effects may last 9-10 hours, hallucinations up to
  two hours, depending on the dosage.
• Like LSD, mescaline probably exerts much of its
  hallucinogenic effects by altering serotonin
  systems.
• (Scene from Young Guns)

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Other LSD Types of Agents(continued)

• Psilocybin
• Principle source is the Psilocybe mexicana
  mushroom.
• It was first used by natives of Central America
  more than 200 years ago
• The active ingredient of the Psilocybe mexicana
  mushroom was extracted by Albert Hoffman in 1958.
• Hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD.
• Cross-tolerance among psilocybin, LSD, and
  mescaline, suggesting they have similar
  mechanisms of action
• Stimulates autonomic nervous system, dilates the
  pupils, increases body temperature.

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Other LSD Types of Agents(continued)

• Psilocybin (cont)
• The effects of caused by psilocybin vary by
  dosage. Up to four mg cause a pleasant
  experience, relaxation, and some body sensation.
  Higher doses may cause perceptual and body image
  changes, accompanied by hallucinations.
• It may be possible that psilocybin can be used to
  treat depression, but the possible adverse
  affects include mental problems and induce the
  first stages of schizophrenia-like psychosis.
• Like other hallucinogens, psilocybin apparently
  causes no apparent dependence

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Tryptamines (class of drugs)

• Tryptamines
• a. These compounds resemble the serotonin
  molecule and exist naturally in herbs, fungi,
  animals, and even in minute amounts in the human
  brain
• b. Most of these compounds are abused for their
  hallucinogenic/psychedelic actions and are
  classified as Schedule I drugs
• Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
• Foxy
• Nutmeg

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Other LSD Types of Agents (continued)

• Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
• A short-acting hallucinogen found in seeds of
  trees native to the West Indies and parts of
  South America, and prepared synthetically.
• Trace amounts are found naturally in the human
  body.
• It is inhaled and is similar in action to
  psilocybin.
• Its effects occur rapidly and last less than one
  hour
• Like other hallucinogens, DMT does not cause
  physical dependence

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Other LSD Types of Agents(continued)

• Foxy
• Relatively new hallucinogen (scheduled cat 1 by
  DEA, 2004).
• Lower doses euphoria.
• Higher doses similar to LSD causing
  hallucinations and psychedelic experiences
• Nutmeg
• Myristica oil responsible for physical effects.
  Myristica blocks the release of serotonin from
  neurons in the brain.
• The exterior covering of the nutmeg seed also
  contains the hallucinogenic compound of
  myristicin
• High doses can be quite intoxicating.
• Often causes unpleasant trips (rapid heartbeat,
  dry mouth, thirst, agitation, apprehension, and
  feelings of impending doom effects may last up
  to 12 hours, with a sense of unreality for days)

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Phenylethylamine Hallucinogens

• The phenylethylamine drugs are chemically related
  to amphetamines.
• They have varying degrees of hallucinogenic and
  CNS stimulant effects.
• LSD-like predominantly release serotonin
  dominated by their hallucinogenic action.
• Cocaine-like predominantly release dopamine
  dominated by their stimulant effects.

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Phenylethylamine Hallucinogens (continued)

• Dimethoxymethylamphetamine (DOM or STP)
• A powerful hallucinogen that works like mescaline
  and LSD and like other hallucinogens not
  considered to be particularly addicting
• Effects of this drug include substantial
  perceptual changes such as blurred vision,
  multiple images, vibration of objects, visual
  hallucinations, distorted shapes, enhancement of
  details, slowed passage of time, increased sexual
  drive and pleasure, and increased contrasts. It
  may also cause (pupil) dilation and a rise in
  systolic blood pressure.1
• 1Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethoxyme
  thylamphetamine

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Phenylethylamine Hallucinogens (continued)

• Designer amphetamines (review information from
  Chapter 10)
• 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)
• Methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA, Ecstasy)
• Include drugs such as MDA and MDMA (Ecstasy),
  which enhance the sense of touch these drugs are
  sometimes referred to as entactogens.
• These drugs are popular and typically used by
  young adults because of their combination of
  entactogenic and stimulant effects. The use of
  these drugs is often associated with raves and
  dance clubs.

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Phenylethylamine Hallucinogens (continued)

• Designer amphetamines (review information from
  Chapter 10)
• 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA)
• Methylenedioxymethamphetamine(MDMA, Ecstasy)
• There is some debate as to their ability to cause
  addiction and dependence. It is likely that MDMA
  is significantly less addicting than potent
  psycho-stimulants such as methamphetamine and
  cocaine due to its preferential ability to
  activate serotonin over dopamine systems.

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Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

• The anticholinergic hallucinogens include
  naturally occurring alkaloid substances that are
  present in plants and herbs.
• The potato family of plants contains most of
  these mind-altering drugs.
• Three potent anticholingergic compounds in these
  plants
• Scopolamine
• Hyoscyamine
• Atropine

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Naturally Occurring Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

• Anticholinergic Hallucinogens
• They can cause drowsiness and conditions similar
  to psychosis.
• 1. Atropa Belladonna The Deadly Nightshade Plant
• 2. Mandragora Officinarum The Mandrake
• 3. Hyoscyamus Niger Henbane
• 4. Datura Stramonium Jimsonweed

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Naturally Occurring Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

• Anticholinergic Hallucinogens (cont)
• Atropa Belladonna The Deadly Nightshade Plant
• The name of the genus, Atropa, is the origin of
  the name atropine.
• Atropos One of the three fates in Greek
  mythology, whose duty it was to cut off life when
  the time came
• Bella Donna beautiful woman atropa placed in
  the eyes cause pupil dilation

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Naturally Occurring Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

• Anticholinergic Hallucinogens (cont)
• 2. Mandragora Officinarum The Mandrake
• Contains several active psychedelic alkaloids
  hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine, and
  mandragorine.
• In ancient medicine was used to treat nervous
  disorders, and relieve pain

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Naturally Occurring Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

• Anticholinergic Hallucinogens (cont)
• 3. Hyoscyamus Niger Henbane
• A plant that contains both hyoscyamine and
  scopolamine.
• It was frequently used to cause sleep, although
  producing hallucinations and included in witches
  brew
• It was historically used in combination with
  other plants, such as mandrake, deadly
  nightshade, as an anaesthetic potion, as well as
  for its psychoactive properties in "magic
  brews."These psychoactive properties include
  visual hallucinations and a sensation of flight.
• Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyoscyamus_n
  iger

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Naturally Occurring Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

• Anticholinergic Hallucinogens (cont)
• 4. Datura Stramonium Jimsonweed
• The principal active drug in this group is
  scopolamine, and also contains atropine.
• Historically used as a hallucinogen by many
  societies.
• Jimsonweed grows freely and is sometimes used in
  stews. Jimsonweed produces many bad side
  effects in addition to hallucinations including
  confusion, dilated pupils, and tachycardia.

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Other Hallucinogens

• Phencyclidine (PCP)
• Considered by many experts as the most dangerous
  of the hallucinogens although it has a host of
  other effects as well.
• It was developed as an intravenous anesthetic but
  was found to have serious adverse side effects.

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Other Hallucinogens (continued)

• Phencyclidine (PCP) physiological effects
• Hallucinogenic effects, stimulation, depression,
  anesthesia, analgesia
• Large doses can cause coma, convulsions, and
  death
• PCP psychological effects
• Feelings of strength, power, invulnerability,
  perceptual distortions, paranoia, violence, and
  psychoses and users appear like schizophrenics

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Other Hallucinogens (continued)

• Ketamine (general anesthetic PCP-like)
• It is used as a general anesthetic for
  veterinarian procedures
• Considered a club drug with effects similar to
  PCP but more rapid and less potent
• Dextromethorphan (cough suppressant)
• High doses cause PCP-like effects
• An active ingredient in many OTC cough
  medications, but when consumed in high doses it
  can cause hallucinogenic effects including
  symptoms such as confusion, numbness, and
  disorientation
• Abuse is generally by teenagers and may be
  referred to as roboing. Recreational use of
  cough medicine by high school seniors in 2010 was
  6.6.

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Other Hallucinogens (continued)

• Salvia divinorum
• Comes from a Mexican herb
• Can cause intense hallucinations and short-term
  memory loss
• Outlawed in some, but not all states
• Some studies suggest that the ingredient
  salvinorum may be useful in the treatment of
  chronic pain and some mental disorders.
• End of Presentation