Hallucinogens and Their Effects

Flashcards covering the concepts and effects of various hallucinogens, their active ingredients, and therapeutic potential.

Hallucination

Perceptions without external stimuli (seeing things that aren't actually there).

Illusions

Distorted perceptions of external stimuli (e.g., the floor moving).

5-HT2a agonist

Most hallucinogenic drugs are chemically similar to 5-HT and bind to 5-HT2a receptors.

Psychedelic intensity

Correlates with 5-HT2a binding, influencing the strength of hallucinations.

Psilocybin

Active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, metabolized into psilocin.

Mescaline

Active ingredient in peyote cactus, acts as a 5-HT2a agonist, DA, and NE agonist.

DMT

Acts as a 5-HT2a and 5-HT2c agonist, requires MAO inhibition to be effective when taken orally.

Salvinorin A

Active ingredient in Salvia, NOT a 5-HT agonist, but a k-opioid receptor agonist.

Ibogaine

Low doses stimulate, while high doses produce visual and auditory hallucinations.

Anti-cholinergics

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists causing sensations of flying and can lead to amnesia.

NBOMes

Synthetic hallucinogenic chemicals with very low TI, often taken transdermally.

Microdosing

Using sub-threshold doses of hallucinogens, linked to improved symptoms in mental health conditions.