Psychedelics

Question 1

what are psychedelics

Answer 1

powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception, emotions, and cognition

they amplify what is already in your mind

Question 2

what are the three categories of psychedelics

Answer 2

1. classic hallucinogens
2. mixed stimulants
3. dissociatives

Question 3

what is a hallucinogen trip

Answer 3

non-ordinary state of consciousness caused by hallucinogens.
often produces synesthesia (mixing of sensations)

Question 4

what are classic hallucinogens

Answer 4

drugs that produce distortions of reality
bind to 5HT 2A receptors

Question 5

what are examples of classic hallucinogens

Answer 5

LSD, Mescaline (cactus), Psilocybin, (mushrooms)
DMT (dimethyltryptamine)

Question 6

what are mixed stimulants

Answer 6

phenylethamines that physically resemble catecholamines

with stimulant and empathogenic properties

Question 7

what are examples of mixed stimulants

Answer 7

amphetamine, MDMA, methylphenidate

Question 8

what are types of actions of mixed action psychedelics

Answer 8

stimulants: (meth)amphetamine; ritalin
entactogens: MDMa
hallucinogens: mescaline from cactus
appetite suppressants: Phentermine
Antidepressants: Bupropion NDRI

Question 9

what psychedelic compound has been used to treat PTSD

Answer 9

MDMA

Question 10

what are dissociatives

Answer 10

non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonists
feelings of depersonalization
binds to a site inside NMDA receptor channel

Question 11

what are examples of dissociatives

Answer 11

PCP and Ketamine
drug remains trapped in channel even after agonist (glu) dissociates

Question 12

What are hallucinogens

Answer 12

drugs that cause altered states of consciousness WITHOUT producing a state of toxic delirium

Question 13

what schedule are PCP and Ketamine dissociatives

Answer 13

schedule I

Question 14

what is common with hallucinogens

Answer 14

synthesized by plants or fungi

Question 15

describe mescaline’s hallucinogenic properties

Answer 15

crown of peyote cactus
mescaline is psychoactive agent
chemical structure similar to catecholamine but is phenethylamine

Question 16

what is a phenethylamine

Answer 16

natural monoamine alkaloids that have psychoactive and stimulant properties
ex: (meth)amphetamines

Question 17

describe Psilocybin hallucinogenic properties

Answer 17

magic mushrooms
psilocybin —> psilocin, the psychoactive agent)
structurally similar to 5HT

Question 18

describe DMT

Answer 18

dimethyltryptamine
ayahuasca tea
structural analog of 5HT

Question 19

describe Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)

Answer 19

from ergot (parasitic fungus on rye)
discovered by Albert Hofmann

Question 20

how long does LSD take to work and decay

Answer 20

peaks in 30-40 minutes
lasts 6-12 hrs
half-life is 3 hours

Question 21

describe Salvinorin A

Answer 21

psychoactive agent in salvia divinorum (mint subtype)
K-opioid receptor agonists
little effect on 5HT receptors

Question 22

describe Ibogaine

Answer 22

from bark/roots of african shrub
increases energy, reduces hunger, produces euphoria
low 5HT 2A affinity
partial agonist at K- and u-opioid receptors
NMDA receptor antagonist
inhibits 5HT and DA reuptake

Question 23

how do the hallucinogenic compounds relate to other monoamines

Answer 23

mescaline structurally similar to NE
Psilocin structurally similar to 5HT
DMT (ayahuasca) structural analog of 5HT
LSD 5HT agonist
salvinorin A: low 5HT affinity, K-opioid receptor agonists
Ibogaine: low 5HT 2A affinity, K/u-opioid partial agonists, inhibits 5HT and DA reuptake, NMDAR agonists

Question 24

how do psychidelics produce strong perceptual distortions

Answer 24

20-90 min: gradual intensification
peak 2-6 hrs: slowed sense of time, feelings of depersonalization, disruption of logical though
Plateau: intense effects begin to level
comedown: gradual return

Question 25

what is 5-methoxy DMT

Answer 25

potent psychedelic tryptamine alkaloid found in plants, secreted by colorado river toads