Hallucinogens and Dissociatives Lecture Notes

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the classifications, history, and specific substances of hallucinogenic, dissociative, and deliriant drugs.

What are the four alternative names (a/k/a) for hallucinogens listed in the text?

• Psychedelic

  
  

• Psychotomimetic

  
  

• Psychodysleptic

  
  

• Psycholytic

What are the three core characteristics of hallucinogenic drugs according to Hollister (1994)?

Primary Effect: Changes in thought, perception, and mood.

Minimal cognitive effects: Specifically regarding memory impairment.

Physical State: Not characterized by excessive stimulation or lowered NS activity (stupor/narcosis).

True or False: Hallucinogens produce significant physical dependence and addictive craving.

False. The text states there is "no physical dependence" and "minimal addictive craving".

Psychedelic

A term coined by Humphrey Osmond meaning "Mind manifesting," derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (manifesting).

Dissociatives

Drugs that produce analgesia, amnesia, catalepsy, and a sense of detachment from the environment; primarily acting as Glutamate Antagonists.

Deliriants

Substances that produce delirium (extreme confusion) and are primarily Anticholinergics (Acetylcholine Antagonists).

Ergot

A parasitic fungus that grows on grains and is the source from which LSD is synthetically derived.

Ergotism

Also known as "St. Anthony’s Fire," a toxic condition causing tingling, convulsions, disordered thinking, and reduced blood flow to extremities.

Salem Witchcraft Trials (1692-1693)

A historical event where symptoms like fits and convulsions were potentially caused by ergot poisoning from rye bread.

Albert Hoffmann

The chemist who created LSD-25 in 1938 and accidentally discovered its psychedelic properties in 1943.

Timothy Leary

A Harvard Clinical Psychologist and LSD advocate for the "Acid Generation" known for the phrase "Turn on, Tune In, Drop Out."

Synesthesia

An acute effect of LSD involving a blending of sensory experiences, such as seeing sounds or hearing colors.

HPPD

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder; a condition where disturbed perceptions or sensory distortions (flashbacks) last for minutes to years.

MDMA

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Ecstasy), a synthetic drug developed by Merck in 1912 that affects norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin.

Oxytocin

A hormone triggered by MDMA that increases sexual arousal, trust, emotional closeness, and empathy.

MAPS

The organization conducting clinical trials to gain FDA approval for MDMA use in treating PTSD.

Mescaline

A serotonergic hallucinogen derived from the peyote plant, used for over 3000 years in Mexico.

DOM (STP)

A synthetic derived from mescaline; the street name stands for "Serenity, Tranquility, Peace."

Psilocybin

The active psychedelic agent produced in more than 200 species of mushrooms, identified in 1959.

DMT

Dimethyltryptamine; a potent, short-acting hallucinogen often called "the businessperson's LSD" because its effects last only minutes.

Depersonalization

A dissociative state involving a feeling of being disconnected or detached from one's own body and thoughts.

Derealization

A dissociative state where the individual feels that the external world is "not real."

PCP

Phencyclidine (Angel Dust); a dissociative developed as a surgical anesthetic known for causing unpredictable effects like mania and psychosis.

Ketamine

A dissociative anesthetic (Special K); its s-enantiomer, Spravato, was FDA approved in 2019 for depression.

Ibogaine

A substance derived from an African shrub used to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms and eliminate drug cravings.

Datura

A deliriant plant (Jimson weed) that is a source of scopolamine and can cause temporary blindness and psychosis.

Atropa belladonna

Also known as deadly nightshade, it is a source of atropine that produces "living dreams" and delirium.

Delirium

An acute confusional state characterized by a disturbance in mental abilities, reduced attention, and disruptions of consciousness.