THE ANTIDOTAL ACTION OF SODIUM SUCCINATE IN THE MESCALINE PSYCHOSIS
Ian H. Stevenson, Andrew J. Sanchez
American Journal of Psychiatry October 1, 1957 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.114.4.328 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSodium succinate had a definite antidotal effect on mescaline-induced psychosis in all 12 subjects, though the effect varied greatly among individuals. The relief was transient and did not substantially shorten the total duration of mescaline's effects. The most plausible explanation is that succinate provides an alternative substrate for oxidation in brain tissues when mescaline has depressed the oxidation of other substrates like glucose, lactate, and pyruvate.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 12 |
| Population | Human subjects experiencing mescaline psychosis |
| Intervention | Sodium succinate |
| Topics | Mescaline |
| Keywords | Psychosis Succinates Chemistry Sodium |
| Citations | 8 |
| Key finding | Sodium succinate had a definite but transient antidotal effect on mescaline psychosis in all 12 subjects, likely by providing an alternative oxidative substrate in the brain. |
Abstract
1. Sodium succinate was found to have a definite antidotal effect on the mescaline psychosis in each of 12 subjects. 2. The effect varied greatly in different subjects. Moreover, the effect was rather transient and there was little shortening of the total duration of mescaline effect. 3. The most plausible hypothesis of the succinate effect is that succinate provides a substrate for oxidation in the brain tissues when the oxidation of other substrates, e.g., glucose, lactate and pyruvate has been depressed by the mescaline.