Psychedelic
Psychedelics are named so because the term is derived from the Greek words ψυχή (psyche, "mind") and δηλείν (delein, "to manifest"), hence "mind-manifesting", the implication being that psychedelics can access and develop unused potentials of the human mind.[1] In modern times, psychedelic drugs used in the context of religious, shamanic, or spiritual settings are often referred to as an entheogen.[2]
Method of action
Psychedelics act on serotonin receptors (also referred to as 5-HT receptors) via the way in which they act as full or partial agonists through their structural similarity to the serotonin molecule. LSD, for example, works by simply fitting into and activating serotonin receptors. It has a higher affinity than serotonin itself for the receptors, therefore preventing serotonin from binding to the receptors by competing with it.
While the method of action behind psychedelics are not fully understood, serotonergic psychedelics are known to show affinities for various 5-HT receptors in different ways and levels, and may be classified by their activity at different 5-HT sub-sites, such as 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, etc. Many serotonergic psychedelics, such as the tryptamines, have very strong structural similarities to serotonin itself, which partially explains the affinity for certain 5-HT sites. It is almost unanimously agreed that serotonergic psychedelics produce their effect by acting as strong partial agonists at the 5-HT2A receptors.
Subjective effects
- Visual drifting
- Colour shifting
- Depth Perception Distortions
- Tracers
- Symmetrical texture repetition
- Scenery Slicing
- Enhancement of current mind state
- Acceleration of thought
- Connectivity of thought
- Feelings of fascination, importance and awe
- Time distortion
- Introspection
- Outrospection
- Rejuvenation
- Deja-Vu
- Mindfulness
- Multiple thought streams
- Removal of cultural filter
- Feelings of predeterminism
- Conceptual thinking
- Direct communication with the subconsious
- Ego suppression, loss and death
- Personality regression
- Thought loops
- Feelings of interdependent opposites
- Delusions
- States of unity and interconnectedness
Pharmacological classes
The classical psychedelics are all classed as serotonergic in nature. This means that they structurally mimic the endogenous neurotransmitter known as serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of well being and mood regulation.[3] The diagram to the right shows the structural similarities and differences between the differing classes of psychedelics and the serotonin neurotransmitter. The three classes (phenethylamines, lysergamides and tryptamines) all contain the same chemical rings, which have been labelled.
- A represents the benzene ring, which all three classes contain.
- B represents the pyrrole ring, in both tryptamines and lysergamides.
- A and B together form the indole ring.
- C (cyclohexane) and D are only contained in the lysergamides, possibly contributing to their potency.
Examples
- DMT
- Psilocin (4-HO-DMT)
- Psilocybin (4-PO-DMT)
- Psilocetin (4-AcO-DMT)
- Bufotenin (5-OH-DMT)
- AMT
- 5-MeO-DMT
- 5-MeO-MIPT
- 5-MeO-AMT
- bk-MDMA
- Mescaline
- MDA
- MDMA
- DOB
- DOC
- DOI
- DOM
- 2C-B
- 2C-E
- 2C-P
- 2C-I
- 2C-C
- 2C-T-2
- 2C-T-7
- 25I-NBOMe
- 25C-NBOMe
- 25B-NBOMe
- 5-APB
- 6-APB
Plants and Entheogens
- Ayahuasca (DMT + Harmala alkaloids)
- Mimosa Hostillis rootbark
- Acacia Confusa rootbark
- Syrian Rue
- Psilocybin Mushrooms
- San Pedro Cactus
- Yopo seeds
- Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds
- Morning glory seeds
Animals
See Also
References
- ↑ A. Weil, W. Rosen. (1993), From Chocolate To Morphine:Everything You Need To Know About Mind-Altering Drugs.New York, Houghton Mifflin Company. p. 93
- ↑ Dictionary - Entheogen | http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/entheogen
- ↑ How to increase serotonin in the human brain without drugs|journal = Rev. Psychiatr. Neurosci.|volume=32|issue=6|pages = 394–99|year = 2007| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2077351/