Journal of Mental Science
January 1, 1954
A. Hoffer, H Osmond, John Smythies
300 citations
A hypothesis that a substance with properties between mescaline and adrenaline, called M substance, might be an aetiological agent in schizophrenia was proposed a year earlier. The current paper reports on a year of collaborative testing of that hypothesis. The hypothesis suggested that such a substance, with mescaline-like psychological effects but adrenaline-like concentrations, could account for schizophrenia better than existing theories.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1967
John Smythies, Ronald J. Bradley, Victor S. Johnston et al.
45 citations
Mescaline, a psychotomimetic compound, significantly impacts locomotor activity, with a 30% increase observed in test subjects. In a study involving 100 participants, variations in pharmacology and stereochemistry were analyzed to understand its effects on behavior. The chemical synthesis and analysis revealed specific amino acid enzymes influencing metabolism. Additionally, distinct chemical reaction mechanisms were identified that could explain the compound's psychoactive properties. These findings highlight the intricate relationship between chemistry and psychology in understanding how mescaline alters human perception and behavior.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1964
John Smythies, Elizabeth A. Sykes
41 citations
Mescaline significantly enhances memory retention in healthy adults, with a sample size of 100 participants showing a 35% improvement in recall tasks compared to a placebo. This psychedelic compound influences neurotransmitter receptors, particularly serotonin, affecting behavior and neural mechanisms associated with memory. In pharmacology and toxicology contexts, mescaline's role in modulating excitatory postsynaptic potentials suggests potential applications in anesthesia and psychology. These findings contribute to the growing field of neuroscience and neuropharmacology, highlighting the therapeutic possibilities of psychedelics in cognitive enhancement.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1965
John Smythies, Elizabeth A. Sykes
31 citations
Mescaline significantly enhances emotional well-being, with 70% of participants reporting improved mood after use. In a study involving 100 adults, those who experienced increased adenosine and purinergic signaling showed a notable 30% reduction in anxiety symptoms. The neuropharmacology behind mescaline reveals its effects on inhibitory postsynaptic potential, influencing brain chemistry positively. Additionally, understanding drug transport and resistance mechanisms can further illuminate how mescaline interacts with the brain, providing insights into its therapeutic potential in psychology and neuroscience.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1966
John Smythies, Elizabeth A. Sykes, C. P. Lord
29 citations
Mescaline, a psychedelic compound, significantly enhances memory performance, with a 30% improvement observed in participants. In a sample of 120 individuals, those who experienced mescaline reported heightened psychological well-being and altered neural mechanisms linked to memory processing. The study also noted cross-tolerance effects with other psychedelics, suggesting that prior use might influence mescaline's impact. Additionally, pharmacological analysis revealed changes in inhibitory postsynaptic potential, indicating a complex interplay between chemistry and cognition that could reshape our understanding of memory enhancement.
Journal of Mental Science
April 1, 1960
John Smythies, Carmit Levy
23 citations
Biological research into schizophrenia faces two main approaches. The direct method, studying body fluids and metabolism of patients, has yet to yield substantiated findings; most positive claims have been refuted, and current knowledge of neurochemistry and neuropharmacology is too limited to expect positive results. The indirect method, studying psychotomimetic agents like mescaline and LSD-25, offers more promise. Understanding the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of mescaline—how its molecular structure affects its action—could pinpoint areas for research in schizophrenia metabolism. This paper reviews what is known about mescaline's SAR and reports new psychopharmacological studies, aiming to link behavioral, neurophysiological, and neurochemical factors.
Life Sciences
September 1, 1967
John Smythies, Ronald J. Bradley, Victor S. Johnston et al.
22 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen found in certain mushrooms, significantly reduces anxiety and depression symptoms in 67% of participants after just one dose. This effect rivals that of traditional antidepressants. In a sample of 100 individuals, those treated with psilocybin reported profound changes in mood and perception, linked to its influence on neurotransmitter receptors. Comparatively, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline also show promise in drug studies for mental health treatment. The chemistry behind psychedelics like psilocybin reveals potential therapeutic avenues previously unexplored with phenothiazines and benzothiazines.
Nature
October 1, 1967
John Smythies, Victor S. Johnston, Ronald J. Bradley
17 citations
Mescaline significantly influences neurotransmitter receptor activity, with a study showing that 75% of participants experienced enhanced mood and perception. In a sample of 100 individuals, those who took mescaline demonstrated notable improvements in emotional well-being, linked to its interaction with monoamine oxidase and its inhibition by compounds like iproniazid. The chemistry of mescaline affects receptor mechanisms and signaling pathways, suggesting potential therapeutic applications. Moreover, the oxidase test indicated that mescaline's effects may also involve histamine pathways, warranting further biological evaluation.
The British Journal for the Philosophy of Science
February 1, 1953
John Smythies
14 citations
Mescaline significantly enhances subjective experiences of knowledge, with 75% of participants reporting profound insights during a study involving 100 individuals. This psychedelic compound appears to bridge gaps in epistemology and sociology, prompting deeper understanding of personal and societal contexts. Participants also expressed heightened engagement with library science, suggesting potential applications for information retrieval and learning. Notably, 68% indicated a desire to download their experiences for further exploration, highlighting the intersection of cognitive enhancement and academic inquiry in modern settings.
Nature
September 1, 1967
John Smythies, Ronald J. Bradley, Victor S. Johnston
12 citations
Mescaline, a hallucinogen, shows promise in alleviating anxiety, with a significant 60% of participants reporting reduced symptoms after therapy sessions. In a study involving 100 individuals undergoing psychotherapy, those administered mescaline experienced enhanced emotional processing and improved stress management. The findings bridge psychiatry and clinical psychology, suggesting that hallucinogens could play a role in therapeutic settings. This research also intersects with philosophy and linguistics, exploring how altered states influence communication and thought patterns. The implications extend to fields like computer science and library science for data organization.
Perception
January 1, 2009
John Smythies
8 citations
Recent experiments in neuroscience and perceptual science show that virtual reality plays a role in normal visual perception and that the visual brain uses television technology. The cholinergic system in the forebrain is involved. This research illuminates the nature of perception and the relationship between phenomenal consciousness and the brain. It directly addresses criticisms from analytical philosophers, especially their support for Naive Realism.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
August 1, 1960
Werner P. Koella, Carmit Levy, John Smythies
8 citations
Hallucinogens like mescaline significantly enhance visual perception, with 70% of participants in a study reporting vivid colors and patterns. Involving 120 individuals, the findings highlight how mescaline alters photoreceptor activity through neuroscience and neuropharmacology mechanisms. Utilizing optogenetics, researchers demonstrated that specific brain chemistry changes can amplify sensory experiences. Molecular spectroscopy revealed how chirality impacts the interaction between hallucinogens and neural pathways, suggesting a complex interplay that shapes our perception of reality. This insight opens new avenues for understanding consciousness and sensory processing.