Lecture on Hallucinogens

A set of flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to hallucinogens, their history, pharmacology, and effects.

Hallucinogens

Substances that produce hallucinations or altered perceptions of reality.

Indole Hallucinogens

A class of hallucinogens characterized by the presence of an indole nucleus, found in serotonin and substances like LSD and psilocybin.

LSD

A synthetic indole hallucinogen derived from ergot fungus, first synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938.

Psilocybin

Naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, which transforms into psilocin in the body.

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)

Naturally occurring tryptamine hallucinogen with rapid onset and very short duration.

Ayahuasca

A brew that contains DMT and a MAO inhibitor, allowing for the oral activation of DMT.

Mescaline

A naturally occurring hallucinogen found in peyote and San Pedro cacti, responsible for visual hallucinogenic effects.

PCP (Phencyclidine)

A dissociative anesthetic that produces severe psychological effects and has been abandoned for recreational use.

Ketamine

A shorter-acting, safer alternative to PCP, used clinically as a dissociative anesthetic.

Deliriants

A class of hallucinogens that bind muscarinic ACh receptors and produce confusion and delirium.

Salvia divinorum

A unique hallucinogen with intense, short-lived hallucinations, acting as a kappa opioid receptor agonist.

5-HT2A receptors

Serotonin receptors targeted by many hallucinogens, including LSD and psilocybin.

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)

A condition characterized by recurrent perceptual disturbances following hallucinogen use.

Synesthesia

A condition where sensory perceptions are mixed, such as 'seeing sounds' or 'hearing colors.'

Timothy Leary

Key figure in the popularization of LSD for recreational and spiritual use during the 1960s.

Nuremberg Code

A set of research ethics principles for human experimentation established post-World War II.

Neural Mechanism of Hallucinogens

The process by which hallucinogens, through serotonin receptors, alter perception and cognition by increasing cortical excitation.