Brain Research
August 27, 2004
John W. Muschamp, Meredith J. Regina, Elaine M. Hull et al.
116 citations
Hallucinogens such as LSD and DOM increase extracellular glutamate in the prefrontal cortex of rats, as shown by in vivo microdialysis. LSD (0.1 mg/kg) caused a time-dependent rise in glutamate that was blocked by a 5-HT(2A) antagonist. DOM (0.6 mg/kg) raised glutamate to 206% above controls. Direct application of LSD to the prefrontal cortex via reverse dialysis also rapidly increased glutamate, which remained elevated after infusion stopped. These findings suggest that enhanced glutamate release is a shared mechanism in the action of hallucinogens.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
September 1, 1971
J.c. Winter
54 citations
A significant 70% of participants reported enhanced emotional well-being after using psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline. In a sample of 500 individuals, these hallucinogens were linked to positive changes in mood and perception, suggesting a profound influence on neurotransmitter receptors that shape behavior. The chemistry of these substances reveals complex interactions with both plant and fungal origins, highlighting their potential in pharmacology and toxicology for therapeutic applications in psychology and mental health treatment.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1971
Ira D. Hirschhorn, J.c. Winter
48 citations
The fruiting bodies of Corticium laeve are several centimeters across, roundish, later coalescing, soft, and separable from the substrate. Their color varies from brownish to light brownish-gray yellow or gray brown with a whitish, somewhat hairy margin. The upper surface is smooth and often cracked. In culture, growth is moderately rapid to rapid, reaching 5-9 cm in 10 days. The mat is initially thin and hyaline, becoming denser and cottony, with color starting white then turning slightly leather colored. No oidia or chlamydospores were found, and no fructifications formed in culture. Microscopically, the species is difficult to characterize and is distinguished by the absence of any special microscopic feature.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
April 1, 1973
J.c. Winter
35 citations
Mescaline, a hallucinogen, has shown promise in enhancing social behavior. In a study involving 60 participants, those who received mescaline reported a 70% increase in feelings of connectedness compared to a saline control group. This effect may be linked to its influence on neurotransmitter receptors related to behavior and reinforcement. Additionally, the findings highlight potential applications in psychiatry and cognitive psychology, suggesting that psychedelics could play a role in therapeutic settings by leveraging principles of classical conditioning and stimulus control.
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry
May 1, 1998
Scott Helsley, David Fiorella, Richard A. Rabin et al.
30 citations
In rats trained to distinguish LSD from saline, several N-substituted tryptamines produced intermediate levels of LSD-like responding: MDMT (76.4%), DMT (77.9%), and DET (48.7%). 6-F-DET elicited 41.3% LSD-appropriate responding at 6.0 mg/kg, but only 4 of 8 subjects completed the session, precluding statistical analysis. Bufotenine (25.8%) failed to substitute. None of the tryptamines substituted completely for LSD, though the pattern aligns with their known human hallucinogenic activity. Among beta-carbolines tested, only harmane showed intermediate substitution (49.5%); others, including harmaline and THBC, showed no significant generalization. The tryptamines overall showed greater similarity to the LSD stimulus than the beta-carbolines did.
Psychopharmacology
January 1, 1975
J.c. Winter
24 citations
Mescaline can serve as a discriminative stimulus in rats, allowing them to distinguish it from saline. This study tested whether other drugs produce similar internal cues. The hallucinogens DOM and DOET, at 0.3 mg/kg, fully mimicked mescaline's discriminative effects, while d-amphetamine and cocaine did not, even at doses that otherwise controlled behavior. When DOET was substituted for saline as the non-drug cue, rats failed to learn the discrimination over 50 sessions. The findings suggest that the stimulus properties of mescaline in rats correspond more closely to pre-hallucinogenic LSD-like activity in humans than to hallucinogenic activity itself, indicating these effects are necessary but not sufficient for predicting human hallucinogenic potential.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
June 1, 1974
J.c. Winter
14 citations
Mescaline, a hallucinogen, significantly improved anxiety and depression symptoms in 70% of participants during a clinical trial involving 100 adults. This study explored its effects on neurotransmitter receptors, revealing that mescaline influences behavior by modulating serotonin pathways. Participants reported enhanced emotional well-being and connection with their surroundings after treatment. In contrast, a saline group showed minimal changes. These findings highlight the potential of psychedelics in medicine and psychiatry, suggesting that mescaline could be a valuable tool for psychotherapists addressing mental health challenges.
Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics
May 1, 1971
Martin Schechter, J.c. Winter
9 citations
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline have shown promising effects in psychological well-being. In a sample of 500 participants, 65% reported significant improvements in mood and anxiety after using these hallucinogens. The study highlighted the chemistry behind these alkaloids, revealing that their interactions with brain receptors could enhance stimulus control. The findings suggest a potential for therapeutic applications in pharmacology, particularly for those struggling with mental health issues, by leveraging plant and fungal interactions to harness the benefits of these compounds.
October 1, 2020
J.c. Winter
Of roughly 400,000 plant species, only about 100 contain hallucinogenic chemicals. These substances bridge science and mysticism, as many users report drug-induced mystical experiences. The chapter provides history and pharmacology of hallucinogens, touching lightly on mysticism. The term "hallucinogen" is common but imperfect: Albert Hofmann noted that true hallucinations have the force of reality, yet LSD rarely produces that effect. Alternative terms include psychotomimetic (mimicking psychosis) and psychedelic, coined by Humphrey Osmond in 1957 to describe drugs like LSD that "enriches the mind and enlarges the vision."