Hallucinogens and Marijuana

Hallucinogens

drugs that alter a persons awareness of their surroundings as well as their thoughts and feelings

Classic hallucinogens

increase serotonin signaling

Dissasociative hallucinogens

interfere with glutamate signaling

LSD

a potent (strong), synthetic (man-made) drug. lipid-soluble

LSD administration

dried on paper squares, tablets, or liquid

Pharmacokinetic tolerance of LSD

build a tolerance after 3-4 consecutive doses

LSD withdrawal and overdose

rarely seen

Psilocybin

in magic mushrooms, is a prodrug and not synthetic, needs a high dose to be effective. lipid-soluble

Prodrug

undergoes chemical or enzymatic transformation within the body to produce the hallucinations (psilocybin —> psilocin)

Pharmacokinetic tolerance of psilocybin

tolerance builds within 3-4 consecutive doses

Psylocbin withdrawal and overdoes

rarely seen

Cross tolerance

resistance to a drug due to prior exposure to a pharmacologically similar drug (serotonin receptors become less sensitive to all hallucinogen drugs)

Hallucinogen side effects (short term)

CNS: hallucinations, intense sensory experience, sleep problems, paranoia, psychosis

Sympathetic: increased HR and BP, loss of appetite, sweating, dry mouth

Hallucinogen side effects (long term)

persistent psychosis and hallucinations, persistent perception disorder

Hallucinogen persistent perception disorder

“the trip that never ends”

Marijuana and hemp

two subspecies of the cannabis sativa plant

Chemical components of Marijuana

THC and CBD (approved for use in some medical conditions)

Resin

produced by marijuana plant and is the most valuable. it is a gooey substance, heavily concentrated, where THC and CBD are located

THC

highly lipid soluble and can be stored in your bodys fat for prolonged periods. THC “releases the breaks” on the reward pathway

TCH CNS side effects

low dose: euphoria

high dose: brain damage, hallucinations, impaired movement

The endocannabinoid system (ECS)

THC and CBD regulate this system, a network of receptors that control many body functions

CB1

highly expressed in the CNS and Periphery

CB2

only expressed in the Periphery

THC receptor interaction

THC is a partial agonist of CB1 and CB2

CBD receptor interaction

CBD is an antagonist of CB1 and an agonist of CB2

Synthetic marijuana

man-made cannaboids sprayed on plant material- more likely to produce adverse effects