Hallucinogens and Psychedelics

Hallucinogen

drug or other substance that produces hallucinations

NMDA

• glutamate receptor

• primary excitatory NT

• role is synaptic plasticity

• Antagonists: ketamine, dextromethorphan, phencyclidine, methoxetamine, nitrous oxide

Serotonin like hallucinogens

• resemble 5-HT

• LSD

• Psilocybin

• DMT-ayahuasca

LSD

• lysergic acid diethylamide

• from fungus

• potent modd altering chemicals

• schedule 1

• CIA used it

LSD PK

• taken orally

• easily passes through BBB

• 20-60 minutes to take effect

• lasts 4-12 hours

• 80% eliminated in feces 2-3 days after taken

• functions as 5-HT agonist

• effects depend on setting and person

Psilocybin

• magic mushrooms

• 5-HT2A agonist

• active metabolite is psilocin

catecholamine like hallucinogens

• resemble 5-HT, but act on NE, DA with amphetamine type effects

• mescaline

• DOM

• Myristin, elmicin

Mescaline

• orally absorbed

• LD 50 is unknown

• from peyote cactus

Anticholinergirc hallucinogens

• block mescarinic receptors

• atropine works peripherally, causes paralysis

• scopolamone works in CNS, responsible for hallucinations, delirium, amnesia

• Belladonna

• Jimsonweed

Dissociative anesthetics

• PCP

• Ketamine

• schedule 3

• NMDA receptor antagonists

• stimulate release of DA

General effects

• early

  • dizziness, chills, nausea, weakness

• Middle

  • sympathetic arousal

  • incoordination

  • trembling

  • blurred vision

  • visual patterns

• Peak

  • increased sensory effects

  • wavelike motions

  • mood swings

  • spatial and temporal distortion

PCP

• opposes glutamate transmission

• inhibits ion flux at the NMDA receptor

• increases glutamate transmission at non NMDa receptors

• works on all other receptors like: DA, 5-HT, glutamte, NE, and opioid

• extensively metabolized to PCHP, PPC, and PCAA

• metabolized by CYP3A4