Mind Mind AlteringAltering

Drugs

HallucinogensHallucinogens

Cause hallucinations which are distortions in:

1. Touch

2. Smell

3. Hearing

4. Vision

Which in turn cause vivid illusions which bend reality to a

remarkable degree

Examples of Halucinogens:Examples of Halucinogens:

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

Mescaline

Psilocybin

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

LSDLSD

( )Walt Disney

----A powerful hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus.

LSDLSD

Effects:Perception is magnified

Judgment is impaired

The appearance of simultaneous opposite emotions

(Like relaxation and tension)

Dilation of pupils

Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature

Sweating, sleeplessness, tremors

Mental

Physical

Works by preventing neurotransmitters from facilitating connections between neurons in the brain.

MescalineMescalineMade from the Peyote cactus found in Central and South AmericaMade from the Peyote cactus found in Central and South America

Effects:

Similar to LSD, though far less potent

Causes vivid visual hallucinations

PsilocybinPsilocybin

Found in “magic mushrooms”

Mild hallucinogen

Effects are similar to LSD (perception is magnified)

Like LSD and mescaline, psilocybin structurally resembles the neurotransmitter serotonin, and binds with the same receptors in the brain and over stimulates them

THCTHC

Found in marijuana and hashish, both extracted from the cannabis plant

Mild Hallucinogen

In low doses, makes one feel silly and excited

Increase in dosage causes changes in perception

(Seeing of bright colors)

(Improvement of hearing)

As well as heightened difficulty of decision-makingEffects:

StructuresStructuresIn the case of LSD:

Indole ring: Where a benzene ring is fused via a common C=C bond to a heterocyclic amine compound in which the nitrogen atom is part of the ring.

The part of the structure shown in blueis known as an INDOLE ring.

LSD is very fat soluble, and therefore easily diffuses into the brain and cellmembranes of nerve cells, and as a result is a very potent hallucinogen.

Structures ContinuedStructures Continued

In the case of mescaline: Contains the benzene ring, but lacks the indole structure of LSD do to it not having the heterocyclic fused-ring component

Instead, mescaline contains a primary amine group, NH2, which ends up resembling the complete indole structure

Structures ContinuedStructures Continued

In the case of psilocybin:

Psilocybin has a similar structure to LSD in the sense that it too has the indole structure (here shown in red)

Structures ContinuedStructures ContinuedThe chemical structures of LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin resemble that of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which also has an indole structure as a skeleton.

Serotonin

Notice the indole structure supporting numerous functional groups

*Due to similar structures, LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin fit into the same nerve receptors as serotonin would, and over-stimulate these receptors causing hallucinations

Legalization of cannabisLegalization of cannabis--Arguments for legalization--

-Cannabis plant (cannabis sativa) contains pharmacologically active components (cannabinoids).

--Offers relief from diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma

-Can increase appetite for those suffering from drastic weight loss due to AIDS

-Can relieve nausea

*Helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to suppress the nausea the procedure produces

-Relieves tension and anxiety

Medical reasons:

Legalization of cannabisLegalization of cannabis--Arguments for legalization--

Other reasons:

-Legalization would improve quality control

-Reduce harmful impurities

-Would move marijuana away from environments wherehard drugs are sold

Legalization of cannabisLegalization of cannabis--Arguments against legalization--

-Smoking marijuana regularly can lead to respiratory ailments

-Regular intake may suppress immune system

-Can decrease fertility in males

-Some evidence that it causes brain damage in rats

-Some evidence of chromosomal damage which could cause birth defects

-Addiction can lead to financial distress