HALLUCINOGENIC AGENTS
JAMA – September 14, 1963
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A growing medical and social problem involves the ingestion of drugs drastically altering sensory perception. Public interest is increasing in psychotomimetic hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Mescaline, and Lysergic acid diethylamide. Even morning-glory seeds, containing lysergic acid, are now used. While traditional medicine has long seen such substances, a new wave of promotion targets the general public. This trend, involving six distinct hallucinogens, highlights a significant challenge. Understanding their pharmacology, from ancient use to modern forms, is crucial for medicine.
Abstract
An article on stramonium intoxication in this issue ofThe Journal(p 882) calls attention to a growing medical and social problem in this country—the ingestion of a number of drugs which have the common property of drastically altering sensory perception. The drugs all produce hallucinations. In addition to stramonium, the drugs include mescaline or peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), psilocybin, marijuana, and, as a recent addition, morning-glory seeds (Rivea corymbosa). The morning-glory seeds contain amides of lysergic acid. General public interest in these psychotomimetic drugs is now on the increase in many parts of the United States. Use of the drugs to produce hallucinations goes back for centuries, but in recent years we have discovered new forms of these hallucinogens; and we have witnessed the development of a new and subtle promotion designed to interest the general public in trying them out. The promotion of the drugs is having