Psychopharmacology
March 1, 2013
Katherine A Maclean, Matthew W Johnson, Chad J Reissig et al.
134 citations
Inhaled salvinorin A, the active compound in Salvia divinorum, produces intense, dose-related subjective and cognitive effects that peak within 2 minutes and rapidly dissipate. In eight healthy adults with hallucinogen experience, high doses frequently caused maximal drug strength ratings or unresponsiveness. The compound induced dissociative effects and impaired recall and recognition memory, with some overlap with classic hallucinogens but a qualitatively distinct profile. No persisting adverse effects were observed at one-month follow-up. These findings contribute to understanding the kappa opioid system and may inform future therapeutic applications.
Drug and alcohol dependence
May 1, 2011
Matthew W Johnson, Katherine A Maclean, Chad J Reissig et al.
134 citations
Salvinorin A, the psychoactive compound in Salvia divinorum, produces rapid, dose-dependent subjective effects that peak at 2 minutes and subside within 20 minutes after inhalation. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 4 healthy hallucinogen-using adults, doses from 0.375 to 21 μg/kg increased ratings of mystical-type experiences and effects similar to classic hallucinogens. Salvinorin A did not significantly raise heart rate or blood pressure. Participants reported intense experiences involving altered spatial orientation, pressure on the body, childhood memories, cartoon-like imagery, and contact with entities. The findings suggest salvinorin A has a unique profile that includes mystical-type effects.
Psychopharmacology
September 1, 2012
Chad J Reissig, Lawrence P Carter, Matthew W Johnson et al.
89 citations
High doses of the cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DXM) produce perceptual changes, mystical-type experiences, and physiological effects similar to those of classic hallucinogens like psilocybin. In a double-blind study, 12 healthy volunteers with histories of hallucinogen use received single oral doses of DXM ranging from 100 to 800 mg/70 kg, triazolam, or placebo. DXM dose-dependently increased blood pressure, heart rate, and emesis, and elicited observer-rated hallucinogen-like effects such as visual distortions and joy. After 400 mg/70 kg DXM, 11 of 12 participants thought they had received a classic hallucinogen. At a 1-month follow-up, volunteers reported lasting positive changes in spirituality, attitudes, and mood attributed to the session.
Drug and alcohol dependence
March 1, 2013
Lawrence P Carter, Chad J Reissig, Matthew W Johnson et al.
28 citations
Acute high doses of dextromethorphan (DXM) impair attention, working memory, episodic memory, and metacognition in healthy volunteers with histories of hallucinogen use. Impairments from 100–300 mg/70 kg DXM were generally smaller than those from 0.5 mg/70 kg triazolam. Doses needed to match triazolam's impairment exceeded 10–30 times the therapeutic dose. Supratherapeutic doses caused impairments on all tasks, indicating a broad therapeutic window for over-the-counter DXM when used appropriately, but relevance to high-dose abuse.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
Chad J Reissig, Ling Chen, Srikanth C Nallani et al.
1 citation
A single dose of kratom, a plant from Southeast Asia, produced some opioid-like effects in recreational polydrug users with opioid experience. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 40 participants, kratom at doses of 3 grams or more caused pupil constriction, and the 12 gram dose increased ratings of drug liking, good effects, and high. No deaths or serious adverse events occurred; the most common side effects were somnolence, vomiting, and nausea. The findings suggest kratom can produce effects associated with drugs of abuse, but results may not apply to other kratom products.