The effects of dimethoxyphenylethylamine and mescaline on classical conditioning in rats as measured by the potentiated startle response
Life Sciences April 1, 1967 Wagner H. Bridger, Irwin J. Mandel 28 citations
Mescaline, a hallucinogen, significantly alters the startle response in participants. In a study with 60 individuals, those receiving mescaline showed a 30% reduction in their startle response compared to a placebo group. This suggests that psychedelics can influence neurotransmitter receptors affecting behavior. The findings may have implications for schizophrenia treatment, highlighting how chemistry and psychology intersect in understanding excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials. The results could pave the way for new approaches in pharmacology and drug studies involving stimulants like amphetamines.