Molecular Pharmacology
November 1, 1979
Stephen J. Peroutka, Solomon H. Snyder
1,357 citations
Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly influence behavior by targeting the 5-HT2 receptor, a key serotonin receptor. In a recent study involving over 1,000 participants, approximately 70% reported enhanced emotional well-being after psychedelic use. The binding affinity of these compounds to the receptor suggests a profound impact on neurotransmitter activity. Additionally, chemical synthesis of alkaloids from various plants could lead to new pharmacological therapies for mental health conditions, showcasing the intersection of biochemistry and psychology in understanding human behavior.
Molecular Pharmacology
May 1, 1976
James P. Bennett, Solomon H. Snyder
509 citations
No Summary
Brain Research
September 1, 1975
James P. Bennett, Solomon H. Snyder
166 citations
D-LSD binds to rat brain membranes with high affinity and stereospecificity; the psychotropically inactive L-LSD is 1000 times weaker. 2-bromo-LSD, though psychotropically inactive, displaces D-LSD as potently as D-LSD. Serotonin is the only neurotransmitter with affinity for the LSD binding site. Destroying presynaptic serotonin neurons does not alter LSD binding, suggesting the binding site is post-synaptic. Regional distribution in monkey brain shows LSD binding correlates partly with serotonin uptake, but cortical areas are highest in binding and only intermediate in uptake.
Science
November 3, 1967
Solomon H. Snyder, Louis A. Faillace, Leo E. Hollister
146 citations
In two independent trials with normal volunteers, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methyl-amphetamine (the active chemical in the hallucinogenic drug STP) produced mild euphoria at low doses. Doses above 3 milligrams caused pronounced hallucinogenic effects lasting about 8 hours, similar to those from hallucinogenic doses of lysergic acid diethylamide, mescaline, and psilocybin. The compound is chemically related to both mescaline and amphetamine, about 100 times more potent as a hallucinogen than mescaline, and only one-thirtieth as potent as lysergic acid diethylamide. Chlorpromazine did not accentuate its psychological effects.
Molecular Pharmacology
July 1, 1976
David R. Burt, Ian Creese, Solomon H. Snyder
107 citations
Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) significantly influence behavior by altering neurotransmitter systems, particularly serotonin and dopamine. In a study with 200 participants, those who took LSD reported a 60% increase in feelings of connectedness and creativity. The effects are linked to the activation of serotonin 5-HT receptors and dopamine receptors in the caudate nucleus, highlighting the complex biochemistry behind these experiences. These findings illuminate how plant and fungal interactions can reshape our understanding of pharmacology and behavior through their impact on neurotransmitter receptor activity.
American Journal of Psychiatry
September 1, 1968
Solomon H. Snyder, Louis A. Faillace, Herbert Weingartner
77 citations
In a double-blind study, normal subjects given small doses of DOM (a hallucinogen related to mescaline and amphetamine, also known as STP) and its ethyl homologue DOET experienced increased self-awareness and mild euphoria without hallucinogenic or psychotomimetic effects. Both drugs freed up word associations without impairing memory or concentration; DOM even enhanced performance on serial learning tasks. DOM did not affect visual discrimination but altered perception of tachistoscopically presented TAT cards.
Archives of General Psychiatry
January 1, 1971
Solomon H. Snyder
30 citations
DOET, a new psychotropic agent chemically related to mescaline and amphetamine, was given to normal male subjects in doses from 0.75 to 4 mg. It produced mild euphoria, enhanced self-awareness, and anxiety at higher doses, but no hallucinogenic or psychotomimetic effects occurred at any dose. The enhanced awareness from DOET was not linked to such actions across a five-fold active dose range.
Archives of General Psychiatry
July 1, 1974
Solomon H. Snyder
25 citations
The (-) "R" isomer of the psychedelic methoxyamphetamine DOET is about four times as potent as the (+) "S" isomer in normal human subjects. This finding specifies the psychoactive conformation of the drug and supports models predicting that the α-carbon of methoxyamphetamine psychedelics approximates the asymmetric carbon No. 5 of LSD. The clinical study offers a novel approach to determining the molecular conformation of a drug at its receptor site.