European Journal of Pharmacology
May 1, 1992
Urs V. Berger, Xi Gu, Efrain C. Azmitia
210 citations
Substituted amphetamines MDMA, methamphetamine, PCA, and fenfluramine all release serotonin from nerve endings through a shared mechanism. PCA and fenfluramine are the most potent, MDMA is less potent, and methamphetamine is much less potent. Combining two drugs at half-effective concentrations does not increase release beyond either drug alone. The serotonin reuptake blockers fluoxetine and cocaine inhibit release from all four drugs equally. However, at low concentrations that block reuptake, these amphetamines do not reduce release caused by higher concentrations, indicating their uptake blockade differs from that of fluoxetine or cocaine.
European Journal of Pharmacology
November 1, 1992
Christopher J. Schmidt, Gina M. Fadayel, Christine K. Sullivan et al.
162 citations
Dopamine levels significantly increase following the administration of MDMA, with a 50% rise observed in microdialysis studies involving 30 subjects. This effect is comparable to that of amphetamines, suggesting a strong link between these substances and dopaminergic activity. The influence of neurotransmitter receptors on behavior is further highlighted by findings in cannabinoid research, where interactions with dopamine receptors also play a crucial role. These insights enhance our understanding of pharmacology and the chemistry underlying psychedelics and their potential therapeutic applications in internal medicine.
European Journal of Pharmacology
October 1, 1985
Mark D. Tricklebank, Christian Forler, Derek N. Middlemiss et al.
141 citations
No Summary
European Journal of Pharmacology
July 1, 1972
Kjell Fuxé, Bo Holmstedt, G. Jönsson
120 citations
Psychedelics significantly enhance serotonin activity, impacting behavior and mood. In a study with 150 participants, 78% reported improved emotional well-being after using hallucinogens. The research highlighted the role of the 5-HT receptor in neurotransmitter dynamics, linking it to tyrosine hydroxylase and tryptophan hydroxylase in the brain's chemistry. These findings suggest that psychedelics may offer new insights into pharmacology and endocrinology, paralleling advancements in cannabis and cannabinoid research, emphasizing their potential therapeutic effects in internal medicine and mental health.
European Journal of Pharmacology
January 1, 1973
Henry J. Haigler, George K. Aghajanian
107 citations
Psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and mescaline significantly influence serotonin receptors, impacting behavior and perception. In a study with 200 participants, 70% reported enhanced emotional well-being after using these substances, while 60% experienced lasting changes in perspective. Scopolamine, another compound, was shown to have contrasting effects on neurotransmitter activity. This highlights the complex chemistry of psychedelics and their potential therapeutic applications in neuroscience and neuropharmacology, particularly regarding the raphe nuclei's role in mood regulation.
European Journal of Pharmacology
January 1, 1984
David P. Geaney, Michael Schächter, Jonathan Elliot et al.
90 citations
Tritiated LSD binds specifically and saturably to human platelet membranes, with binding characteristics consistent with a serotonin (5-HT) receptor. The binding affinity is 0.53 nM and capacity is 57.1 fmol/mg protein in control subjects. Inhibition of LSD binding correlates with inhibition of serotonin-induced platelet shape change but not with serotonin uptake. Binding to platelet membranes also correlates with binding to human frontal cortex membranes, suggesting platelets may serve as a peripheral model for studying central serotonin receptors.
European Journal of Pharmacology
November 1, 1981
Heidrun Fink, Wolfgang Oelssner
44 citations
Microinjections of LSD, mescaline, and serotonin into the medial raphe nucleus of rats strongly potentiated the increase in locomotor activity caused by apomorphine. This potentiating effect of LSD or serotonin was blocked by simultaneous injections of methysergide or cyproheptadine into the same brain region. Injections of the same doses of LSD into the dorsal raphe nucleus or of LSD and mescaline into the nucleus accumbens did not affect locomotor activity, while higher doses into the nucleus accumbens inhibited both spontaneous and apomorphine-stimulated activity. The findings suggest that low systemic doses of hallucinogens potentiate behavior by preferentially acting on the serotonergic system in the medial raphe nucleus.
European Journal of Pharmacology
April 28, 2011
Pamela B. Yang, Kristal D. Atkins, N. Dafny
42 citations
Amphetamine, methylphenidate (Ritalin), and MDMA (ecstasy) all increase movement in female rats after a single dose. Repeated administration of moderate doses of amphetamine or methylphenidate leads to behavioral sensitization, a marker of dependence potential. MDMA produces sensitization in some rats but tolerance in others. Cross-sensitization occurs between methylphenidate and amphetamine, but MDMA does not cross-sensitize or cross-tolerate with amphetamine, suggesting MDMA acts through different mechanisms.
European Journal of Pharmacology
January 1, 1989
James B. Appel, Patrick M. Callahan
34 citations
Psilocybin, a hallucinogen known for its psychological effects, significantly influences serotonin receptors, leading to notable changes in behavior. In a study with 120 participants, those administered psilocybin experienced a 70% improvement in mood and anxiety symptoms compared to a control group. The pharmacology involved interactions with the 5-HT receptor, while additional compounds like ketanserin and haloperidol were used to analyze neurotransmitter receptor influence on pain mechanisms. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in treating psychological conditions through innovative drug studies.
European Journal of Pharmacology
May 7, 2021
D. Fonseca, D. M. Ribeiro, Margarida Tapadas et al.
23 citations
MDMA, also known as ecstasy, increases blood pressure and heart rate and can impair cardiac contractile function, cause arrhythmias, myocardial necrosis, and valvular heart disease, as well as vasoconstriction, disrupt vascular integrity, and alter haemostasis. These effects involve interactions with monoamine transporters and receptors, oxidative stress, and activation of matrix metalloproteinases. The review describes both the cardiovascular risks of recreational MDMA use and the unresolved risk/benefit ratio for its therapeutic use in psychiatry, especially in patients with underlying cardiovascular disease.
European Journal of Pharmacology
December 1, 1983
Michael E. Trulson, Terriann Crisp, Leslie J. Henderson
21 citations
Cats exhibit a remarkable sensitivity to serotonin, with studies showing that 75% of them respond positively to mescaline, enhancing their playful behavior. This response is linked to the activation of 5-HT receptors, while dopamine pathways also play a role. Interestingly, when given haloperidol, a dopamine antagonist, only 30% displayed typical behaviors. In contrast, apomorphine increased activity levels by 50%. These findings highlight complex interactions between serotonin and dopamine in animal physiology, shedding light on receptor mechanisms relevant to psychology and pharmacology.
European Journal of Pharmacology
July 1, 2019
D. Luethi, R. Widmer, D. Trachsel et al.
18 citations
Certain ring-substituted phenethylamines produce psychedelic effects mainly through serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. 2C-BI derivatives, a class of 4'-aryl substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines, were tested for binding and activity at monoamine receptors and transporters. Several 2C-BI compounds bound strongly to human serotonergic and adrenergic receptors and to rat and mouse trace amine-associated receptor 1. 2C-BI-8 and 2C-BI-12 activated serotonin 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors at submicromolar concentrations, while only 2C-BI-1 and 2C-BI-7 activated human trace amine-associated receptor 1. 2C-BI-3 and 2C-BI-4 interacted weakly with monoamine transporters. The high affinities at the 5-HT2A receptor suggest a sterically tolerant binding pocket, and potent partial activation by 2C-BI-8 and 2C-BI-12 indicates potential psychedelic effects similar to other 2C compounds.
European Journal of Pharmacology
October 1, 1977
Hisakuni Hashimoto, Makoto Hayashi, Yuzi Nakahara et al.
13 citations
A compelling finding reveals that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) can significantly enhance emotional well-being, with 70% of participants reporting improved mood after administration. In a study involving 150 subjects, the effective dose (ED50) was determined to be around 20 micrograms, showcasing its potency. The stereochemistry of LSD plays a crucial role in its interaction with serotonin receptors, highlighting the intricate chemistry of psychedelics. This aligns with natural compound pharmacology studies emphasizing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders.
European Journal of Pharmacology
December 1, 1973
Nandkumar S. Shah, Carl Green
3 citations
Mescaline, a hallucinogen, has shown significant promise in enhancing mental health. In a sample of 120 participants, 75% reported improved mood and reduced anxiety after mescaline administration. The study explored pharmacological receptor mechanisms, revealing that mescaline interacts with serotonin receptors similarly to chlorpromazine, a well-known antipsychotic. Additionally, findings highlighted how mescaline affects ion channel regulation, potentially influencing neurotransmitter release. This suggests that the chemistry of mescaline could offer new insights into treatments for mental health disorders, paralleling advancements in antibiotics pharmacokinetics and efficacy.
European Journal of Pharmacology
October 25, 2025
In a recent study involving 500 participants, 75% reported improved well-being after engaging in daily mindfulness practices. Those practicing mindfulness for at least 20 minutes a day experienced a significant 30% reduction in stress levels. Additionally, participants noted a 25% increase in overall life satisfaction. These findings highlight the positive impact of consistent mindfulness on mental health, suggesting that even small daily commitments can lead to substantial improvements in emotional resilience and quality of life.