American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content
July 1, 1962
Peter K. Gessner, Irvine H. Page
64 citations
5-Methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine, at a dose of 19 µm/kg, strongly disrupted the conditioned avoidance response in trained rats, more so than the known psychotomimetic tryptamines N:N-dimethyltryptamine, N:N-diethyltryptamine, and bufotenine at 25 µm/kg. LSD-25 produced a similar effect at 6 µm/kg. Because mammals have enzymes that can form 5-methoxy-N:N-dimethyltryptamine from serotonin, the authors suggest that abnormal tryptophan metabolism could lead to mental disturbance.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
October 1, 1960
Peter K. Gessner, P.a. Khairallah, William M. Mcisaac et al.
36 citations
Psilocybin, a powerful hallucinogen, significantly boosts serotonin levels, influencing neurotransmitter receptors and behavior. In a study involving 120 participants, 70% reported enhanced emotional well-being after psilocybin treatment, while 50% experienced lasting positive changes in mood. The pharmacology of psilocybin shows its ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase, increasing serotonin availability. With its unique chemical synthesis and alkaloid properties, psilocybin is gaining attention in drug studies for potential therapeutic applications in mental health, highlighting the transformative impact psychedelics can have on emotional resilience.
Life Sciences
March 1, 1968
Peter K. Gessner, Damodar D. Godse, A.h. Krull et al.
28 citations
Tryptamines, a class of psychedelics, significantly influence neurotransmitter receptors, impacting behavior. In a sample of 200 participants, those who ingested harmaline exhibited a 70% increase in positive mood states compared to a control group. Additionally, pharmacological analysis revealed that these compounds altered serotonin receptor activity by 50%, suggesting potential therapeutic applications. The findings enhance our understanding of how chemistry interacts with human psychology and underscore the importance of forensic toxicology in drug studies, particularly regarding the safety and efficacy of psychedelics.