Download Mind-Altering Drugs

Mind-Altering
Drugs
Larry Scheffler
Lincoln High School
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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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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
 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 mindaltering properties of LSD could
be used with medicinal
purposes in the treatment of
psychological disorders.
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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
 The discovery resulted from an
investigation of partially synthetic
amides of Lysergic acid.
 LSD itself 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 developed as a result
of LSD research 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 thought 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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Immediate Effects of LSD
 The immediate effects usually last
about 12 hours
 Symptoms include restlessness,
dizziness, and alterations in vision
and audio perceptions and
hallucinations.
 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
 Highly addictive.
 Long-term mental health problems after
using LSD are common.
 Bad trips can be triggered.
 Depression leading to suicide is a longterm effect of using LSD, and addiction.
 Users may re-experience early memories,
even pre-birth memories or flashbacks.
 Originally used in psychotherapy but
discontinued because of it may lead to
psychosis in susceptible patients.
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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
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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 (3,4,5trimethoxyphenethylamine)
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
about 12 hours.
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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
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images.
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
Enhanced visual and auditory
perceptions
Confusion and emotional
distress
 Has been used to relieve pain
in some terminally ill patients
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Long term effects
Lethagy and apathy
Lowering of fertility
Decreased mental capacity
Gateway drug
Potential for abuse
Illegal activities associated with
Marijuana
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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
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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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Legalization of Marijuana
Arguments in Favor
1. 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
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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. Marijuana’s status as a gateway
drug would lead to increased
addiction to more dangerous
drugs such as cocaine,
methamphetamines, and heroin
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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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