Mind-Altering Drugs

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Mind-Altering Drugs

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Mind-Altering Drugs

• Mind-altering drugs or hallucinogens as they are
  often called affect the brain in such a way as to
  alter perception of reality
• Four different kinds of hallucinogenic drugs
  include
• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
• Psilocybin and Psilocin
• Mescaline
• Cannabis (Marijuana its active ingredient THC)

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Indole Ring Structure

• The indole ring (or a modification of it) is the
  basic structure present in almost all
  hallucinogens including
• LSD
• Psilocybin
• Psilocin
• Mescaline (Lacks the complete ring.)

The indole structure
Mescaline a partial indole structure
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A Neuron Synapse

• Neurotransmitter chemicals such as serotonin
  transmit electrical impulses
• Hallucinogenic drugs affect the transmission of
  neural impulses particularly in the brain.

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Discovery of LSD

• Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) was discovered
  in 1938 by a Swiss scientist named Albert
  Hoffman.
• Hoffman tested some on himself, not knowing the
  limits of a safe dosage.
• He believed that the mind-altering properties of
  LSD could be used for medicinal purposes in the
  treatment of psychological disorders.
• This research was discontinued when it was
  discovered that LSD lead to a very high incidence
  of psychosis.

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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

• The discovery resulted from an investigation of
  partially synthetic amides of Lysergic acid.
• LSD does not occur naturally but is derived from
  ergot, a fungus that grows on wheat
• LSD was synthesized with the intention of
  obtaining an analeptic
• Methergine was developed as a result of LSD
  research. It is used to stop hemorrhages.

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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
Note the similarities of the LSD structure to the
neurotransmitters serotonin and L-Dopamine. Each
structure has an indole ring.
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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD is believed to disrupt the way that serotonin
is used by the brain Small doses, as little as
0.028 mg will produce a noticeable effect.
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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD is a large relatively non-polar molecule. It
is membrane soluble and able to enter the brain
easily.
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Immediate Effects of LSD

• Very unpredictable.
• The immediate effects occur in about 20 minutes
  and usually last about 12 hours.
• Symptoms include restlessness, dizziness, and
  alterations in vision and audio perceptions and
  hallucinations.
• Changes in body temperature and heart rate
• Time becomes meaningless
• Feeling is often described as flying.
• In some cases despair and suicidal thoughts.

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Longer Term Effects of LSD

• Long-term mental health problems after using LSD
  are common.
• Significant potential for flashbacks or latent
  psychosis.
• Users may re-experience early memories, pre-birth
  memories, or flashbacks.
• Bad trips can be triggered
• Depression leading to suicide is a long-term
  effect of using LSD, and addiction.

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Longer Term Effects of LSD

• Link to major birth defects when taken during
  pregnancy
• Brain deterioration
• Flashbacks
• Developing tolerance leads to high risk of
  overdose.

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Mescaline
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MESCALINE (Peyote)

• Mescaline is found in a small, spineless cactus
  (known botanically as Lophophora williams ii)
  which grows in the deserts of Mexico and the
  American Southwest.
• When the crown is sliced off and dried, it forms
  a hard, brownish disc known as a "button," which
  is chewed for its hallucinogenic properties.

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MESCALINE (Peyote)

• Mescaline is of the oldest hallucinogens known
• Peyote buttons were chewed for religious purposes
  in Mexico centuries before the Conquistadors even
  knew Mexico existed.
• Early tales of peyote rituals among the Aztec
  and Toltec Indians date ceremonial use back some
  3,000 years.
• 1560 Spanish explorers described the effects on
  Mexican Indians as having terrible visions that
  lasted for 2-3 days

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MESCALINE (Peyote)
The Spaniards quickly outlawed "peyotism," which
they linked with cannibalism and witchcraft, and
enacted the first set of anti-drug laws in the
Western Hemisphere, all aimed at wiping out
Indian use of the plant. During the American
Civil War, peyote use began spreading north from
Mexico on a large scale. 11 states have enacted
laws to ban religious use of peyote. Federal
courts have affirmed the right to sacramental use
by Native American religious use A 1990 ruling
by the U.S. Supreme Court, affirmed the right of
states to control ritual peyote use
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MESCALINE (Peyote)
Peyote was also believed to be a god-powerful
medicine, capable of giving sight to the blind
and healing incurable diseases.
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MESCALINE (Peyote)
The chemical structure of mescaline contains
three ether groups and a partial indole ring
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MESCALINE (Peyote)

• Peyote contains more than fifty psychoactive
  ingredients
• The most powerful of which is mescaline
  (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine)

The hallucinogenic effects of the mescaline
related compounds is believed to be related to
the similarities of their structures to
amphetamine.
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Effects of MESCALINE (Peyote)

• Mescaline triggers increased heart rate, body
  temperature, and blood pressure and dilation of
  the pupils.
• Normal coordination and reflexes are reduced, and
  the skin may feel dry and itchy.
• Peak effects hit 2-3 hours after ingestion, and
  run their course in 6-12 hours.
• Not as potent as LSD

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Effects of MESCALINE (Peyote)

• Other effects can include
• Rapid changes in mood
• Feelings of empathy and kinship
• Distortions in perception
• Exasperates conditions of anxiety and depression

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Psilocybin and Psilocin
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PSILOCYBIN

• Certain types of naturally occurring mushrooms
  contain hallucinogenic chemicals known as
  psilocybin and psilocin.
• Psilocybin and Psilocin are found in the liberty
  cap mushroom (Psilocybe semilanceata (Magic
  Mushroom)
• Dried mushrooms contain about 0.4 psilocybin
  and trace amounts of psilocin.

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PSILOCYBIN PSILOCIN

• Psilocybin and psilocin belong to the tryptamine
  family and their effect is similar to the natural
  neurotransmitter serotonin,
• Psilocybin and psilocin are both alkaloids which
  means they are nitrogenous substances that appear
  in nature. .

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Structure of PSILOCYBIN
The structure of Psilocybin has an indole
structure shown in the diagram at the right.
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Structure of PSILOCIN
The structure of Psilocin has an indole structure
shown in the diagram at the right. The hydroxy
phosphate structure is replaced with a hydroxyl
group
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Effects of Psilocybin and Psilocin

• Within 30 minutes of taking small amounts (i.e.
  1-2 grams) of mushroom, there is nausea,
  sweating, feeling hot and shaky, heart racing,
  lightheadedness, or anxiety.
• A relaxed feeling and a sharpening of senses
  sometimes follow
• With larger amounts (2-14 grams) they may
  experience time distortion, euphoria, seeing
  brilliant colors, flashing lights and even shapes
  and images.

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Long Term Effects of Psilocybin and Psilocin

• Long term effects unknown
• Danger of mushroom poisoning by inability to
  distinguish from poisonous varieties
• Poisoning occurs when there is excessive
  vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, chest pain,
  pounding and racing heart, fear, anxiety,
  paranoia, and seizures.  

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MARIJUANA (cannabis)
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MARIJUANA (cannabis)
Marijuana is a drug made from the stems,
flowering tops, leaves and seeds of the hemp
plant (cannabis sativa).
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MARIJUANA (cannabis)

• The active ingredient in Marijuana is a compound
  called Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
• Structurally THC contains multiple carbon rings,
  with several methyl groups attached, and OH
  group on a benzene ring, as well as a five carbon
  chain.

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MARIJUANA (cannabis)
The concentration of THC is the determines the
potency and effects of the drug.
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Other Cannabinoids
Other hallucinogenic compounds found in marijuana
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MARIJUANA (cannabis)

• Generally marijuana has a THC content of 1-3
  with specialized breeding making contents of
  slightly higher possible.
• Hashish, made from the resin of the hemp plant is
  much more potent with concentrations between 10
  to 15.
• The THC content of any of the products of the
  hemp plant depends greatly on the environment in
  which the plant is grown.

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Effects of Cannabis/THC

• Feelings of relaxation
• Has been used to relieve pain in some terminally
  ill patients
• Enhanced visual and auditory perceptions
• Confusion and emotional distress

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Long term effects

• Lethargy and apathy
• Lowering of fertility
• Decreased mental capacity
• Gateway drug
• Potential for abuse
• Illegal activities associated with Marijuana trade

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Long Term Use

1. Addictive properties are not entirely known.
2. Some experts believe that marijuana is less
   addictive than alcohol or nicotine, both of which
   are legal.
3. Risk of long term brain damage is not entirely
   known. Indication that it leads to early onset
   of schizophrenia
4. Use by underage people risks potential brain
   damage

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Impact of THC on the Brain

1. It is known that THC affects and influences the
   activity of cells at specific sites called
   cannabinoid receptors on nerve cells in the
   brain.
2. Some areas of the brain have many cannabinoid
   receptors others have few or none.
3. Many cannabinoid receptors are found in the parts
   of the brain that influence pleasure, memory,
   thought, concentration, sensory and time
   perception, and coordinated movement.

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Impact of THC on the Brain

1. Recent studies in Australia indicate that
   prolonged use of Marijuana leads to reduction of
   brain capacity
2. Brain scans showed the hippocampus and amygdala
   were smaller in men who were heavy marijuana
   users compared to nonusers

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Legalization of Marijuana Arguments in Favor

1. Marijuana is already available medically to many
   terminally ill patients as well as for many other
   conditions
2. Legalization would allow police to focus there
   efforts on more violent crime
3. Taxes on marijuana would possibly generate large
   amounts of revenue

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Legalization of Marijuana Arguments Against

1. Increased costs to society especially from
   cancer and heart disease from smoking.
2. Increased danger from people driving under the
   influence.
3. Marijuana abuse would increase.
4. Marijuanas status as a gateway drug would lead
   to increased addiction to more dangerous drugs
   such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin.
5. Long term impact of substantial marijuana use may
   lead to more serious mental disorders.

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Can a thorough understanding of the use and
chemical composition of these drugs lead to the
discovery of new pharmaceutical tools for
psychiatric treatment or experimentation?
Hallucinogens must be classed as a toxic. They
induce unmistakable intoxications. In a broad
sense they are narcotics.
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In all things there is a poison, and there is
nothing without a poison. It depends only upon
the dose whether something is poisonous or not.
-- Paracelsus -16th Century
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