mind-altering drugs

Mind-AlteringMind-Altering DrugsDrugs

AnAn Introduction to Mind-Altering Drugs Introduction to Mind-Altering DrugsAnAn Introduction to Mind-Altering Drugs Introduction to Mind-Altering DrugsMind-altering drugs or hallucinogens as they are often called affect the brain in such a way as to alter perception or reality

Four common hallucinogens include• LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), • Psilocybin,• Mescaline,• Cannabis (marijuana & its active ingredient

THC).

Indole Ring StructureIndole Ring Structure C8H7N

Basic structure present in almost all hallucinogens including:• LSD• Cylocybin• Cylocin• Mescaline (Lacks

the complete ring.)

The indole structure

Mescaline – a partial indole structure

A Neuron SynapseA Neuron Synapse

Neurotransmitter chemicals such as serotonin transmit electrical impulses

LSD LSD (Lysergic Acid Deithylamide)(Lysergic Acid Deithylamide)

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

It was thought that the mind-altering properties of LSD could be used with medicinal purposes in the treatment of psychological disorders


The discovery resulted from an investigation of partially synthetic amides of Lysergic acid.

LSD was synthesized with the intention of obtaining an analeptic

Methergine developed as a result of LSD research is used to stop hemorrhages.

LSD LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)(Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

Chemical structureChemical structure


The chemical The chemical structure of LSD structure of LSD bears significant bears significant similarities to similarities to serotoninserotonin

LSD is thought to disrupt the way that serotonin is used by the brain

Immediate Effects of LSDImmediate Effects of LSD

Symptoms include restlessness, dizziness, and alterations in vision and audio perceptions and hallucinations.

Time becomes meaningless, and the feeling is often described as flying.

The immediate effects usually last about 12 hours

Longer Term Effects of LSDLonger Term Effects of LSD

Highly addictiveLong-term mental health problems

after using LSD are common Bad trips can be triggeredDepression leading to suicide is a

long-term effect of using LSD, and addiction

Users may re-experience early memories, even pre-birth memories.

MESCALINEMESCALINE (Peyote)(Peyote)Mescaline is found in a small, Mescaline is found in a small,

spineless cactus (known spineless cactus (known botanically as Lophophora botanically as Lophophora williams ii) which grows in the williams ii) which grows in the deserts of Mexico and the deserts of Mexico and the American Southwest. American Southwest.

When the crown is sliced off and When the crown is sliced off and dried, it forms a hard, brownish dried, it forms a hard, brownish disc known as a "button," which disc known as a "button," which is chewed for its hallucinogenic is chewed for its hallucinogenic properties.properties.

MESCALINEMESCALINE (Peyote)(Peyote)

Peyote buttons were chewed Peyote buttons were chewed for religious purposes in for religious purposes in Mexico centuries before the Mexico centuries before the Conquistadors even knew Conquistadors even knew Mexico existed.Mexico existed.

Early tales of peyote rituals Early tales of peyote rituals among the Aztec and Toltec among the Aztec and Toltec Indians date ceremonial use Indians date ceremonial use back some 3,000 years.back some 3,000 years.


Peyote was believed to be a god-Peyote was believed to be a god-powerful medicine, capable of powerful medicine, capable of giving sight to the blind and giving sight to the blind and healing incurable diseases. healing incurable diseases.


Peyote contains more than Peyote contains more than fifty psychoactive fifty psychoactive ingredientsingredients

The most powerful of which The most powerful of which is mescaline (3,4,5-is mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylaminetrimethoxyphenethylamine

MESCALINEMESCALINE (Peyote)(Peyote)The Spaniards quickly outlawed "peyotism," The Spaniards quickly outlawed "peyotism," which they linked with cannibalism and which they linked with cannibalism and witchcraft, and enacted the first set of anti-drug witchcraft, and enacted the first set of anti-drug laws in the Western Hemisphere, all aimed at laws in the Western Hemisphere, all aimed at wiping out Indian use of the plant.wiping out Indian use of the plant.

During the American Civil War, peyote use began During the American Civil War, peyote use began spreading north from Mexico on a large scale. spreading north from Mexico on a large scale.

And even though laws in 11 states eventually And even though laws in 11 states eventually sought to ban religious use of peyote, federal sought to ban religious use of peyote, federal courts have affirmed the right to sacramental use courts have affirmed the right to sacramental use by Native American members of the 250,000-by Native American members of the 250,000-member church.member church.

Still, challenges continue to be mounted, Still, challenges continue to be mounted, strengthened by a 1990 ruling by the U.S. strengthened by a 1990 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, affirming the right of states to Supreme Court, affirming the right of states to control ritual peyote usecontrol ritual peyote use


The chemical structure of mescaline contains three ether groups and a partial indole ring

Effects of MESCALINEEffects of MESCALINE

(Peyote)(Peyote)Mescaline triggers increased Mescaline triggers increased

heart rate, body temperature, and heart rate, body temperature, and blood pressure and dilation of blood pressure and dilation of the pupils.the pupils.

Normal coordination and reflexes Normal coordination and reflexes are reduced, and the skin may are reduced, and the skin may feel dry and itchy. feel dry and itchy.

Peak effects hit 2-3 hours after Peak effects hit 2-3 hours after ingestion, and run their course in ingestion, and run their course in about 12 hours. about 12 hours.

Effects of MESCALINE (Peyote)Effects of MESCALINE (Peyote)

Other effects can include Other effects can include Rapid changes in moodRapid changes in mood Feelings of empathy and Feelings of empathy and

kinship kinship Distortions in perceptionDistortions in perception Exasperates conditions of Exasperates conditions of

anxiety and depressionanxiety and depression

PSILOCYBINPSILOCYBINCertain 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.

PSILOCYBINPSILOCYBINPsilocybine and psilocine belong

to the tryptamine family and their effect is similar to the natural neurotransmitter serotonine, which is also known as the `happiness hormone'.

Psilocybine and psilocine are known as alkaloids which means they are nitrogenous substances that appear in nature. .

PSILOCYBINPSILOCYBIN

PSILOCINPSILOCIN

Effects of Psilocybin and Effects of Psilocybin and PsilocinPsilocin

Within 30 minutes of taking small amounts (about 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 this. With larger amounts (2-14 grams) they may experience time distortion, euphoria, seeing brilliant colors, flashing lights and even shapes and images.

Long Term Effects of Long Term Effects of Psilocybin and Psilocin 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.

MARIJUANAMARIJUANA (cannabis) (cannabis)

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


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.

The concentration of THC is the determines the potency and effects of the drug.


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.

Effects of Cannabis/THCEffects of Cannabis/THCFeelings of relaxation Enhanced visual and auditory

perceptionsConfusion and emotional

distress Has been used to relieve pain

in some terminally ill patients

Relieves Pain

Long term effectsLong term effects

Lethagy and apathyLowering of fertilityDecreased mental capacityGateway drugPotential for abuse Illegal activities associated with

Marijuana

Long term useLong term use

1.Addictive properties are not entirely known.

2.Some experte 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

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.

Impact of THC on the BrainImpact of THC on the Brain

Legalization of MarijuanaLegalization of Marijuana1.Marijuana is available medically

to many terminally ill patients as well as for some other conditions,

2.Legalization would allow police to focus there efforts on more important matters

3.also taxes on marijuana would possibly generate large amounts of revenue,

Legalization of MarijuanaLegalization of Marijuana1. 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 increase4.Marijuana’s status as a gateway

drug would lead to increased addiction to more dangerous drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin

““Can a thorough understanding of the use and Can a thorough understanding of the use and chemical composition of these drugs lead to the chemical composition of these drugs lead to the discovery of new pharmaceutical tools for discovery of new pharmaceutical tools for psychiatric treatment or experimentation?”psychiatric treatment or experimentation?”

““Hallucinogens must be classed as Hallucinogens must be classed as a toxic. They induce unmistakable a toxic. They induce unmistakable intoxications. In a broad sense they intoxications. In a broad sense they are narcotics.” are narcotics.”

““In all things there is a poison, and In all things there is a poison, and there is nothing without a poison. It there is nothing without a poison. It depends only upon the dose whether depends only upon the dose whether something is poisonous or not.” something is poisonous or not.”

-- Paracelsus -16-- Paracelsus -16thth Century Century

mind-altering drugs

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peyote use

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