LSD and Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)

LSD history

-chemist from pharmaceutical company described effects as "extraordinary shapes with intense, kaleidoscopic play of colors" -CIA experimented with LSD on civilians, prisoners, and military personnel

psychological effects of LSD

-delusions and hallucinations -artificial sense of euphoria or certainty -distorted perception of size, shape, movements, color, sounds, touch, body -distortion of sense of time and identity -panic attacks, fear of losing control, depression, psychosis -flashbacks or recurrence of LSD trip can occur long after taking the drug, often without warning

physical effects of shrooms

-dilated pupils -dizziness -drowsiness -impaired concentration -muscle weakness -lack of coordination -nausea/vomiting -hallucinations -visual alteration/distortion

physical effects of LSD

-dilated pupils -increase or decrease body temp -sweating or chills -loss of appetite -sleepiness -dry mouth -tremors -impaired depth perception

biology of LSD

-effects occur as result of alterations in serotonin system -binds to most serotonin receptor subtypes but not all receptors are effected enough to be sufficiently activated in the brain -LSD thought to increase glutamate release in the cerebral cortex

psychological effects of shrooms

-euphoria -peacefulness -sense of spiritual awakening -distorted thinking -quickly changing emotions -derealization (surroundings arent real) -depersonalization (dream-like sense of being disengaged from surroundings)

epidemiology: LSD

-extensively studied -1.6 million people inn US age 12+ categorized as hallucinogen users -availability to high school seniors decreased from 54% in 1995 to 29% in 2019

peer-reviewed papers vs media articles

-peer-reviewed: more evidence and statistics, tables and charts with data, negative effects of drug, medical outcomes and frequent toxicities -media: general facts, directions for taking or mixing drug, no negative effects listed

legal, social, medical, and political contexts of mushrooms

-psilocybin and psilocin are schedule 1 substances -can be used for scientific research under tightly controlled circumstances -decriminalized in a few states but federally illegal -risk of ingesting incorrectly identified mushrooms -abused mostly by teens and young adults around raves/clubs/college campuses -potential use for treatment-resistant depression -micro-dosing for creative benefits

biology of shrooms

-psilocybin is inactive until it is converted in the body to psilocin -psilocin is a partal agonist for several serotonin receptors -also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors -psilocin has no significant effect on DA receptors

legal, social, medical and political contexts of LSD

-schedule 1 drug -concerns about abuse by high school students -considered to be one of the "least toxic" drugs physically -micro-dosing to enhance creativity and problem solving

routes of administration: acid

-typically ingested orally, most common = putting blotter paper soaked in LSD on the tongue -can come in thin squares of gelatin, tablets or capsules, pure liquid -may be snorted or injected intravenously

shrooms history

-use exploded in 1970 when LSD became less available -recently decriminalized in a few states (but not for recreational use)

acid made from

Lysergic acid, a chemical from the fungus ergot

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

a powerful hallucinogenic drug; also known as acid

Psilocybin

hallucinogenic drug derived from a variety of mushrooms; also called magic mushrooms

routes of administration: mushrooms

ingested orally-- brewed in tea or added to food to mask bitter flavor

most commonly found psychoactive chemicals from psilocybin mushrooms

psilocybin and psilocin

acid effects which NT system

serotonin