Behavioral and Electroencephalographic Effects of Hallucinogenic Drugs
A M A Archives of Neurology & Psychiatry – January 01, 1956
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Hallucinogens like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) can evoke complex behavioral responses, including sleep-like states and convulsions, when injected into areas of the brain sensitive to pharmacological effects. In studies involving cats, these reactions were observed alongside potential antagonisms with neurotransmitters such as serotonin. This antagonism could play a significant role in understanding schizophrenia. With a focus on experimental psychiatry, exploring the interactions between psychedelics and neurotransmitter receptors may offer new insights into behavior and neuroendocrine regulation.
Abstract
Feldberg and Sherwood's* previous studies of the behavior of cats after the intraventricular injection of various drugs opened up a new method of investigation. By this technique they showed that drugs injected into this area of high pharmacologic sensitivity could evoke various complex behavioral responses and conditions resembling sleep, anesthesia, profound muscular weakness, catatonia, and convulsions. Their classification of the effects characterized by certain common features of reaction suggested further experiments in which, in addition to the effects of the drug alone, antagonisms of various chemicals within the central nervous system might be studied. Of particular interest to experimental psychiatry is the possible antagonism of lysergic acid diethylamide and serotonin. Previously, Gaddum3had shown the effect of such antagonism on smooth muscle. Woolley and Shaw4hypothesized that, if such an antagonism exists, it might be an important factor in schizophrenia. Other drugs of interest behaviorally are mescaline, adrenochrome,