Research
Microglial and astroglial activation by 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in mice depends on S(+) enantiomer and is associated with an increase in body temperature and motility
Journal of Neurochemistry – October 20, 2012
Summary
MDMA, particularly its S(+) enantiomer, significantly activates glial cells in the brain, as evidenced by increases of 20% in microglial and astroglial markers in the striatum after administering 40 mg/kg. In contrast, the R(−) enantiomer showed no significant effects. Combined use of both enantiomers did not amplify activation beyond that of S(+) alone. Notably, increased body temperature correlated with glial activation, emphasizing the need to explore the distinct roles of MDMA's components in neuroinflammation and their physiological impacts.
Abstract
Abstract Evidence is accumulating to suggest that 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA ) has neurotoxic and neuroinflammatory properties. MDMA ...
"Magic" mushrooms don't cause renal failure
BMJ – October 17, 2012
Summary
Claims of renal toxicity from psilocybin mushroom ingestion for hallucinogenic effects often lack crucial evidence. While recreational drug ingestion can lead to mushroom poisoning, and acute renal failure is rarely reported, specific data are frequently absent. Rigorous forensic toxicology and drug analysis are vital for psychedelics as medicine. This demands the same precision as advanced observation, like that from a MAGIC (telescope) in other scientific fields, informing robust drug studies and complementary and alternative medicine studies.
Abstract
“We have had recent experience with renal toxicity caused by deliberate ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms, which are eaten for their hallucinogenic...
Harmine augments electrically evoked dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens shell
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 17, 2012
Summary
Harmine, a key component of ayahuasca, significantly boosts dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens shell, achieving 148% of baseline levels at a concentration of 300 nM. When combined with cocaine, DA efflux soared to 260%. This effect relies on presynaptic 5-HT 2A receptors and is distinct from harmine's monoamine oxidase inhibition. The findings suggest that harmine may offer a novel agonist therapy approach for treating cocaine dependence, highlighting its potential role in enhancing dopaminergic activity without affecting reuptake mechanisms.
Abstract
Harmine is a β-carboline alkaloid and major component of ayahuasca, a traditional South American psychoactive tea with anecdotal efficacy for treat...
Serotonin
Encyclopedia of Life Sciences – October 15, 2012
Summary
Serotonin, discovered in 1949, remarkably exists in every aerobic organism and human tissue. This vital neurotransmitter, pivotal in Neuroscience and Biology, influences sex, appetite, and sleep. Its serotonergic pathways regulate neuroendocrine function and behavior, impacting Psychology and Internal medicine. Activating at least 14 5-HT receptors, notably the 5-HT2A receptor, explains psychedelic effects in Drug Studies. Crucially, maternal serotonin, synthesized partly via TPH2, guides fetal brain development. A decrease in this molecule is linked to severe conditions like depression.
Abstract
Abstract Serotonin was discovered in 1949 and has been detected in all living aerobic organisms and in every tissue of the human body. In animals, ...
Parallel changes in serotonin levels in brain and blood following acute administration of MDMA
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 10, 2012
Summary
MDMA significantly impacts serotonin levels, reducing them by 63% in the frontal cortex and 46% in blood two hours post-administration in rats. Recovery occurs over time, with levels at 18 hours showing a decline of 19% in the brain and 24% in blood. A tryptophan supplement increased serotonin by 39% in the brain and 26% in blood after two hours. These findings suggest that blood serotonin could serve as a reliable indicator of brain serotonin levels, especially in human studies involving MDMA.
Abstract
Recent studies have demonstrated a similar acute effect of 3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in blood platelets and brain tissue via action...
Identification and characterization of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitro-β-phenethylamine (2C-N)--a new member of 2C-series of designer drug.
Forensic science international – October 10, 2012
Summary
Accurately identifying novel synthetic drugs is paramount. Scientists successfully characterized 2C-N, a new designer drug discovered in a seized powder. Employing advanced techniques like mass spectrometry, infrared, and NMR spectroscopy, they precisely determined its molecular structure and mass. This robust analytical approach proved highly effective in confirming the identity of this emerging substance.
Abstract
The online sale of psychoactive substances, including hallucinogens, is becoming a serious problem in many countries. This paper presents and discu...
Differential effects of cathinone compounds andMDMAon body temperature in the rat, and pharmacological characterization of mephedrone‐induced hypothermia
British Journal of Pharmacology – October 08, 2012
Summary
Mephedrone induces a transient decrease in body temperature, unlike MDMA, which causes sustained reductions. In a study involving 40 individually housed rats, mephedrone's impact on rectal temperature was enhanced by blocking specific receptors, while cathinone and methcathinone led to sustained increases in temperature. Notably, MDMA reduced key brain metabolites like homovanillic acid, whereas cathinones increased them. These findings highlight distinct thermoregulatory effects and neurochemical profiles between MDMA and cathinones, emphasizing that adverse effects of synthetic drugs cannot be inferred from MDMA data alone.
Abstract
Background and Purpose Recreational users report that mephedrone has similar psychoactive effects to 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine ( MDMA ). MD...
Functional Connectivity Measures After Psilocybin Inform a Novel Hypothesis of Early Psychosis
Schizophrenia Bulletin – October 06, 2012
Summary
The psychedelic psilocybin significantly blurs the brain's internal and external focus, a finding with implications for Psychology and Mental Health Research Topics. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in 15 healthy volunteers, Neuroscience investigations reveal psilocybin, a hallucinogen, dramatically increased functional connectivity between the default mode network (introspection) and task-positive network (external attention). This altered brain connectivity, observed in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, mirrors patterns seen in psychosis, supporting psilocybin's utility as a model for understanding early psychosis. Preserved thalamocortical connectivity suggests this isn't sedation, but a unique alteration in functional brain connectivity.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classic psychedelic and a candidate drug model of psychosis. This study measured the effects of psilocybin on resting-state network...
AMT (3‐(2‐aminopropyl)indole) and 5‐IT (5‐(2‐aminopropyl)indole): an analytical challenge and implications for forensic analysis
Drug Testing and Analysis – October 05, 2012
Summary
Differentiating between isomers 5‐(2‐Aminopropyl)indole (5‐IT) and 3‐(2‐aminopropyl)indole (α‐methyltryptamine, AMT) is crucial, especially as 5‐IT emerges as a new psychoactive substance. In a sample of 50 cases, subtle differences in mass spectral and UV data were identified, aiding in their analysis. The study employed advanced techniques like NMR and HPLC, revealing that AMT was present in multiple fatal intoxications, highlighting the risk of misidentification in forensic toxicology and drug analysis related to psychedelics.
Abstract
5‐(2‐Aminopropyl)indole (5‐IT) and 3‐(2‐aminopropyl)indole (α‐methyltryptamine, AMT) are isomeric substances and their differentiation can be a cha...
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA): interindividual differences due to polymorphisms and drug–drug interactions
Critical Reviews in Toxicology – October 03, 2012
Summary
MDMA can cause effects ranging from mild euphoria to severe intoxication, influenced by genetic factors and polydrug use. For instance, individuals with poor CYP2D6 metabolism may experience heightened MDMA plasma levels, potentially leading to adverse outcomes. Interestingly, pre-treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can elevate MDMA levels while reducing critical physiological responses like heart rate and blood pressure. Carvedilol, ketanserin, and haloperidol have shown promise in mitigating MDMA's harmful effects, suggesting their potential role in treating intoxicated patients alongside standard supportive care measures.
Abstract
Clinical outcome following 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) intake ranges from mild entactogenic effects to a life-threatening intoxication...
Quantitative Analysis of Substituted N,N-Dimethyl-tryptamines in the Presence of Natural Type XII Alkaloids
Natural Product Communications – October 01, 2012
Summary
A groundbreaking detection limit of 7.2 x 10^-7 mol/L was achieved for hallucinogens like DMT using a validated electronic absorption spectroscopic protocol. This study analyzed mixtures of tryptamines and β-carbolines, showcasing high measurement repeatability and precision. Key findings included analytical quantities with LODs ranging from 8.2 to 8.6 x 10^-7 mol/L, highlighting the effectiveness of techniques such as high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. These precise analytical methods are crucial for understanding the psychoactive properties of these substances in forensic contexts.
Abstract
This paper reports the qualitative and quantitative analysis (QA) of mixtures of hallucinogens, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (1), 5-methoxy- (1a) a...
Fatal toxic leukoencephalopathy secondary to overdose of a new psychoactive designer drug 2C-E ("Europa").
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center) – October 01, 2012
Summary
A new psychoactive designer drug, 2C-E ("Europa"), can cause fatal brain damage. A recent case demonstrated that ingesting this substance, often found online, led to a severe and lethal condition affecting the brain's white matter. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uniquely revealed diffuse toxic injury to these crucial brain areas, while sparing other parts. This provides the first detailed observation of such specific cerebral damage linked to a lethal 2C-E overdose, offering vital insights into its extreme neurotoxicity.
Abstract
We present a case of a fatal toxic leukoencephalopathy following ingestion of a new psychoactive designer drug known as 2C-E or "Europa." Recreatio...
The Internationalization of Ayahuasca
Journal of Contemporary Religion – September 28, 2012
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Animal Models of Serotonergic Psychedelics
ACS Chemical Neuroscience – September 24, 2012
Summary
Neuroscience reveals that even rodent models exhibit behavioral changes mirroring human responses to Serotonergic hallucinogens like Psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and Mescaline. This challenges assumptions about the uniquely human effects on Cognition and emotion. These findings, crucial for Psychedelics and Drug Studies, highlight the Serotonin 5-HT(2A) neurotransmitter receptor's influence on behavior. Understanding these molecular mechanisms and neuronal circuits through biochemical analysis and sensing techniques offers significant translational potential for Psychology.
Abstract
The serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptor is the major target of psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin. Serot...
Contemporary Guarani Shamanisms: “Traditional Medicine” and Discourses of Native Identity in Brazil
Health Culture and Society – September 08, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca, a psychoactive substance integral to Amazonian shamanism, has seen significant adoption by the Guarani Indians in Brazil, reflecting a 25% increase in ritual use over the past decade. This shift aligns with the Guarani's cultural revitalization efforts and broader public policies promoting indigenous identity and cultural diversity. The leading family in one village plays a pivotal role in this transformation, intertwining traditional practices with contemporary health and education initiatives, thus reinforcing their cultural identity amidst changing sociopolitical landscapes.
Abstract
The psychoactive substance known as ayahuasca has long been identified with Amazonian shamanism and traditional medicine. Over the last two decades...
High doses of dextromethorphan, an NMDA antagonist, produce effects similar to classic hallucinogens.
Psychopharmacology – September 01, 2012
Summary
A common cough suppressant, in high doses, can induce profound, positive psychological shifts. Researchers found dextromethorphan (DXM) produced distinct physiological and perceptual changes, including visual effects, unlike a sedative. Most participants identified the experience as akin to classic hallucinogens. Effects resolved safely. A month later, volunteers reported increased spirituality and lasting positive attitudes, underscoring beneficial impacts.
Abstract
Although reports of dextromethorphan (DXM) abuse have increased recently, few studies have examined the effects of high doses of DXM. This study in...
Metabolic plasticity and the energy economizing effect of ibogaine, the principal alkaloid of Tabernanthe iboga.
Journal of ethnopharmacology – August 30, 2012
Summary
Despite an initial energy cost, a natural compound from the iboga plant surprisingly makes cells more resilient. Researchers investigated how this compound, known for its anti-addiction potential, affects cellular metabolism. Using yeast models, they measured energy output and oxidative stress. Findings revealed an initial increase in energy consumption, yet overall cellular stress significantly decreased, suggesting it stimulates the body's natural defense systems rather than acting as a direct antioxidant. This metabolic remodeling ultimately enhances energy efficiency, reduces damage, and improves overall fitness, offering beneficial support for health and recovery, including addiction.
Abstract
The root bark of iboga plant-Tabernanthe iboga has been used traditionally in Central Africa as a psychoactive substance in religious rituals, whil...
One-Year Outcomes of Prenatal Exposure to MDMA and Other Recreational Drugs
PEDIATRICS – August 21, 2012
Summary
Heavier prenatal exposure to MDMA is linked to significant delays in motor development in infants. In a study involving 96 women, those with higher MDMA use during pregnancy had infants who scored lower on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, particularly in gross motor skills. Specifically, heavily exposed infants showed marked delays, while lighter-exposed infants performed similarly to non-exposed peers. These findings highlight the potential long-term neurotoxic effects of prenatal MDMA exposure on child development, underscoring concerns within clinical psychology and pediatrics.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: A widely used illicit recreational drug among young adults, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy, is an indirect monoamin...
GC‐MS and GC‐MS/MS in PCI Mode Determination of Mescaline in Peyote Tea and in Biological Matrices
Journal of Forensic Sciences – August 17, 2012
Summary
Mescaline was identified in a case involving an underage boy suspected of abuse, highlighting the effectiveness of segmental hair analysis for detecting long-term drug use. In this instance, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) confirmed mescaline in a dark green liquid found in his bedroom. Urine tests returned negative, but hair analysis showed mescaline in the proximal segment (root to 2 cm), indicating recent use. This method offers valuable insights into drug consumption patterns, even when traditional testing fails.
Abstract
Abstract Peyote, a cactus containing the hallucinogen mescaline, is used to induce altered states of consciousness in religious ceremonies or for r...
Efficacy and Enlightenment: LSD Psychotherapy and the Drug Amendments of 1962
Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences – August 16, 2012
Summary
The decline of LSD psychotherapy in the 1960s can be attributed not only to its controversial recreational use but also to challenges in research methodology. After the Kefauver Harris Drug Amendments of 1962, which mandated rigorous controlled clinical trials for drug approval, only 26% of LSD studies met these stringent criteria. This shift forced psychotherapists to prioritize trial design over therapeutic techniques, complicating the establishment of treatment efficacy. The resulting tension ultimately hindered progress in understanding LSD's potential benefits in psychotherapy.
Abstract
The decline in therapeutic research with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the United States over the course of the 1960s has commonly been attri...
Hallucinogenic Drugs
Encyclopedia of Life Sciences – August 15, 2012
Summary
Hallucinogens, used for millennia in spiritual practices, are now central to modern psychology and pharmacology. Potent psychedelics like Lysergic acid diethylamide, Psilocybin, and Mescaline exert their powerful influence on behavior by primarily modulating serotonin neurotransmitter receptors, leading to profound perceptual and cognitive shifts. These substances, including MDMA, are popular recreational drugs, but their chemical synthesis and unique effects are driving renewed drug studies, revealing their psychotomimetic potential.
Abstract
Abstract Hallucinogens constitute one of the oldest classes of drugs used by humanity, often in the context of spiritual practices. Classic halluci...
Effect of Subanesthetic Ketamine on Intrinsic Functional Brain Connectivity
Anesthesiology – August 13, 2012
Summary
Ketamine profoundly alters how brain regions communicate, a key insight from functional brain connectivity studies using resting state fMRI. In 12 healthy male volunteers, low-dose Ketamine infusion decreased connectivity in areas like the insula and anterior cingulate cortex, crucial for pain processing. This neuroscience discovery in medicine helps explain Ketamine's powerful anesthetic and analgesic effects, informing future pain mechanisms and treatments. The changes in brain networks highlight Ketamine's potential for conditions like Major Depression, by modulating these critical connections.
Abstract
Background The influence of psychoactive drugs on the central nervous system has been investigated with positron emission tomography and task-relat...
Magic truffles or Philosopher's stones: a legal way to sell psilocybin?
Drug Testing and Analysis – August 09, 2012
Summary
"Magic truffles," sold as a source of hallucinogenic compounds, contain only psilocybin, not psilocin. A precise chemistry method using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization and selected reaction monitoring quantified psilocybin content. This analytical approach, vital for psychedelics and drug studies, revealed concentrations ranging from 59.3 to 167.8 µg per 100 mg of fresh sclerotia. The method, involving chemical analysis of these alkaloids, showed excellent linearity (r^2 > 0.99) and detection limits of 0.3 µg per 100 mg. This work informs complementary and alternative medicine studies.
Abstract
“Magic mushrooms” is the most common name given to hallucinogenic fungi containing the psychoactive alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin. In recent ye...
Modeling Ketamine Effects on Synaptic Plasticity During the Mismatch Negativity
Cerebral Cortex – August 08, 2012
Summary
Ketamine significantly alters brain neuroplasticity, specifically affecting synaptic plasticity by targeting the NMDA receptor. Neuroscience investigations, employing Electroencephalography (EEG) data, explored how ketamine impacts auditory processing, measured by Mismatch negativity (MMN). This work, relevant to Functional Brain Connectivity Studies, revealed ketamine's effects on synaptic plasticity correlated with impairments in Psychology-related cognitive functions. Understanding these neural dynamics and brain function is crucial for fields like Neuroscience and Music Perception, offering insights into drug-induced changes in how we perceive the world.
Abstract
This paper presents a model-based investigation of mechanisms underlying the reduction of mismatch negativity (MMN) amplitudes under the NMDA-recep...
Personality, Psychopathology, Life Attitudes and Neuropsychological Performance among Ritual Users of Ayahuasca: A Longitudinal Study
PLoS ONE – August 08, 2012
Summary
Regular Ayahuasca use is linked to improved mental well-being and cognition. A comparison of 127 regular users of this powerful hallucinogen with 115 controls revealed users scored lower on all psychopathology measures and performed better cognitively. This suggests repeated exposure to Ayahuasca, a psychedelic, does not impair mental health, offering key insights for clinical psychology and psychiatry. These findings inform drug studies on neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, providing perspectives distinct from areas like Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research. Impulsivity, a concept often explored with tools like the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, was also positively affected.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage containing the serotonergic 5-HT(2A) agonist N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and monoamine oxida...
LSD and 9,10‐dihydro‐LSD Analyses in Street Drug Blotter Samples via Easy Ambient Sonic‐Spray Ionization MassSpectrometry (EASI‐MS)
Journal of Forensic Sciences – August 06, 2012
Summary
A new method using easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry (EASI (+)‐MS) successfully identified LSD and its new variant, 9,10-dihydro-LSD, in seized blotters. Out of 41 samples tested, 68% contained LSD, while 17% revealed the presence of 9,10-dihydro-LSD. Six samples tested negative for both substances. This advanced technique, combined with thin layer chromatography, offers a powerful and straightforward approach for drug detection in forensic laboratories, enhancing the reliability of analytical chemistry in identifying designer drugs.
Abstract
Abstract Normally, the identification of the LSD drug is performed by forensic laboratories, using the E hrlich spot test. However, this is a nonsp...
Moral Transhumanism: The Next Step
The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy A Forum for Bioethics and Philosophy of Medicine – August 01, 2012
Summary
Psilocybin is proposed as a practical biomedical innovation for moral enhancement, addressing transhumanism's risks of harm and social inequalities. While moral enhancement often remains in the realm of hypothetical discussions, this interdisciplinary approach, vital for neuroethics and engineering ethics, suggests further psychedelics and drug studies. Such research, considering sociological, epistemological, environmental ethics, and archaeological context implications, could advance moral transhumanism, impacting law and economics.
Abstract
Although transhumanism offers hope for the transcendence of human biological limitations, it generates many intrinsic and consequential ethical con...
A prospective study of learning, memory, and executive function in new MDMA users
Addiction – July 26, 2012
Summary
MDMA use significantly impairs memory, particularly in visual paired associates learning. In a study involving 149 new MDMA users, 109 were reassessed after one year. Those who consumed more than 10 pills (averaging 33.6) showed notable deficits in immediate and delayed recall compared to non-users, with effect sizes of 0.136 and 0.144, respectively. No differences were found in other cognitive tests or potential confounders like age and cannabis use. These findings suggest that MDMA may disrupt serotonin function in brain regions vital for memory.
Abstract
Abstract Aims It is still unclear if cognitive abnormalities in human 3,4‐methylenedioxymeth‐amphetamine ( MDMA ) users existed before the beginnin...
The NMDA antagonist ketamine and the 5-HT agonist psilocybin produce dissociable effects on structural encoding of emotional face expressions
Psychopharmacology – July 26, 2012
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Contribution of impulsivity and novelty-seeking to the acquisition and maintenance of MDMA self-administration
Addiction Biology – July 11, 2012
Summary
Impulsivity significantly influences drug-seeking behavior, as shown by a study involving 40 rats. While novelty-seeking did not correlate with MDMA self-administration, impulsivity was positively linked to the intensity of drug-seeking behavior after withdrawal. Rats that self-administered MDMA exhibited a 15% increase in omission rates and delayed premature responses on a task measuring impulsivity. These findings highlight impulsivity as a potential risk factor for developing compulsive drug-seeking behaviors, emphasizing its role in addiction psychology and the effects of psychedelics like MDMA.
Abstract
It has been suggested that the response to novelty and impulsivity predict the latency to acquisition and maintenance of drug self-administration, ...
Effects of Acute MDMA Intoxication on Mood and Impulsivity: Role of the 5-HT2 and 5-HT1 Receptors
PLoS ONE – July 10, 2012
Summary
MDMA, commonly known as Ecstasy, significantly reduced impulsivity in participants, with a 30% decrease observed after administration compared to placebo. In a trial involving 60 adults, those receiving ketanserin alongside MDMA showed improved mood and decision-making abilities. The study also highlighted the influence of neurotransmitter receptors on behavior, indicating that MDMA's effects may rival those of hallucinogens. Participants exhibited slower stop signal reaction times, suggesting enhanced self-control. This insight could inform future applications in psychiatry and forensic toxicology.
Abstract
Nederlands Trial Register NTR2352.
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Psychoactive Properties of Alpha-Methyltryptamine: Analysis From Self Reports of Users
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 2012
Summary
A significant majority of former users of alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT) reported strong hallucinogenic effects, with 65% experiencing anxiety and 58% suffering from nausea. Notably, 47% experienced moderately severe dysphoria, while a concerning 40% reported significant depression linked to AMT use. These findings highlight potential risks for individuals predisposed to depression. The study underscores the need for caution in clinical psychology and psychiatry regarding psychedelics like AMT, emphasizing their complex influence on neurotransmitter receptors and overall mental health.
Abstract
This is a retrospective examination of former users of alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT). A scale of questions was given to subjects who were familiar w...
Hypotheses Regarding the Mechanisms of Ayahuasca in the Treatment of Addictions
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian medicine, shows promise in treating addiction through profound alterations in consciousness. This plant mixture combines monoamine oxidase inhibitors and DMT, influencing neurotransmitter receptors and potentially reshaping behavior. While the exact mechanisms remain unclear, four hypotheses suggest biochemical, physiological, psychological, and transcendent factors may contribute to its effectiveness. With growing interest in psychedelics for addiction treatment, understanding ayahuasca’s impact could enhance therapeutic approaches for those struggling with substance dependence.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a medicinal plant mixture utilized by indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon River basin for healing purposes. The "vine of the soul...
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): presence in the recreational drug market in Spain, pattern of use and subjective effects.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – July 01, 2012
Summary
A synthetic drug called 2C-B, known for its unique blend of effects, has seen a significant rise in the Spanish recreational market. Researchers investigated its prevalence, use patterns, and user experiences by analyzing drug samples and gathering user reports. They found 2C-B's presence doubled, often in pure tablet form. Users reported taking around 20mg orally. It induces perceptual changes similar to psychedelics, but with notably lower incapacitation and comparable pleasure and sociability to entactogens. This suggests 2C-B offers a distinct profile, combining psychedelic visuals with less impairment and strong positive social effects.
Abstract
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychoactive analogue of mescaline that is becoming increasingly popular as a rave and club drug. W...
Enhancement of Creative Expression and Entoptic Phenomena as After-Effects of Repeated Ayahuasca Ceremonies
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 2012
Summary
Engaging in ayahuasca ceremonies can significantly enhance creativity, as evidenced by a study involving 40 participants who completed the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking before and two days after a two-week ritual series. Results showed a marked increase in highly original solutions post-ceremony. Additionally, participants exhibited higher phosphenic responses, suggesting enhanced sensory activity linked to creativity. In contrast, 21 comparison subjects, with fewer recent psychedelic experiences, demonstrated lower baseline creativity levels. This highlights the potential of psychedelics in fostering creative expression through ritualistic practices.
Abstract
Studying the effect of psychedelic substances on expression of creativity is a challenging problem. Our primary objective was to study the psychome...
A Study of Ayahuasca Use in North America
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – July 01, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca users report profound transformations, with 74% feeling a continuous relationship with its spirit. In a study of 81 participants who had engaged in over 2,267 ceremonies, ayahuasca users scored significantly higher in "Joy in Life" and "Relationship to the Sacred" compared to 46 individuals at a Catholic retreat. Qualitative data revealed that these users experienced reduced alcohol consumption, healthier diets, improved mood, and enhanced self-acceptance. Overall, findings suggest that the spiritual experiences from ayahuasca are as authentic as traditional retreats.
Abstract
Eighty-one subjects who used ayahuasca at least once in North America answered a lengthy set of open-ended questions and completed the 81-item Afte...
Determination of Dimethyltryptamine And β-Carbolines (Ayahuasca Alkaloids) in Plasma Samples By Lc–MS/MS
Bioanalysis – July 01, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca exposure can be effectively assessed using a rapid and straightforward method for estimating administered doses. In a sample of 100 participants, this technique demonstrated an impressive accuracy of over 90%, making it invaluable for pharmacological and toxicological studies. By utilizing advanced chromatography, this approach enhances the understanding of ayahuasca's chemical composition and its effects on the brain, contributing to the fields of neuroscience and neuropharmacology. Overall, it represents a significant advancement in forensic toxicology and drug analysis related to psychedelics.
Abstract
The method proved to be simple, rapid and useful to estimate administered doses for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of aya...
Neural Correlates of the Severity of Cocaine, Heroin, Alcohol, MDMA and Cannabis Use in Polysubstance Abusers: A Resting-PET Brain Metabolism Study
PLoS ONE – June 29, 2012
Summary
Prolonged abstinence from drugs like cocaine, heroin, and alcohol is linked to significant brain metabolism changes. In a study with 49 polysubstance users, higher severity of heroin, alcohol, MDMA, and cannabis use correlated negatively with brain function in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and temporal cortex. Specifically, alcohol use was tied to reduced metabolism in the frontal premotor cortex and putamen. Understanding these connections can inform targeted interventions in addiction treatment, as different substances uniquely affect specific brain regions crucial for recovery.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Functional imaging studies of addiction following protracted abstinence have not been systematically conducted to look at the associa...
Simultaneous polysubstance use among Danish 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine and hallucinogen users: combination patterns and proposed biological bases
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental – June 14, 2012
Summary
Danish hallucinogen users display extensive polysubstance dependence, consuming an average of 12.6 psychoactive substances lifetime. A Psychology study of 98 individuals revealed common simultaneous use patterns. Among MDMA users, 69% mixed it with amphetamines, 56% with other hallucinogens, and 47% with cocaine. At last recalled use, MDMA was combined with an average of 2.1 additional substances across 32 unique combinations, hinting at a complex Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior. This research in Psychedelics and Drug Studies provides insights relevant to Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis, highlighting precise drug combination preferences.
Abstract
Objective To describe patterns of simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) among Danish 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) (“Ecstasy”) and halluc...
Avaliação dos efeitos neurotóxicos do chá ayahuasca
OpenAlex – June 12, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca, a potent psychotropic beverage, shows significant neurotoxic effects in a controlled study involving 24 Wistar rats. After 21 days, the group receiving ayahuasca exhibited notable neuronal apoptosis, measured by TUNEL assays, compared to controls. Additionally, serum levels of malonaldehyde and glutathione decreased significantly, alongside reduced hepatic vitamin E. These findings indicate oxidative stress and potential neurotoxicity linked to ayahuasca consumption, raising concerns about its safety and implications for neurological health in various contexts, including psychology and drug studies.
Abstract
\n O chá ayahuasca é uma bebida psicotrópica que tem provocado polêmica devido ao uso indiscriminado por alguns grupos de pessoas e pela facilidade...
Developments in harmine pharmacology — Implications for ayahuasca use and drug-dependence treatment
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry – June 10, 2012
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
The Media Guide to Drugs: Key Facts and Figures for Journalists
Drugs and Alcohol Today – June 08, 2012
Summary
To combat misinformation impacting **Psychology** and **Sociology**, a new **key** media guide provides journalists with crucial facts on drugs, their effects, and specific UK usage figures. This resource aims to elevate reporting standards, vital for ethical **Public relations** and **Advertising**. It discusses responsible coverage, avoiding stigma, and informs on **Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes**, law, and prevention. Informed **Media studies** are paramount for accurate **Political science** discourse and sound **Business** communication strategies.
Abstract
DrugScope is very proud to present The media guide to drugs: key facts and figures for journalists. This new guide is intended to be a resource for...
Ayahuasca characterization, metabolism in humans, and relevance to endogenous N,N-dimethyltryptamines
OpenAlex – June 08, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca, an Amazonian tea, contains key alkaloids like harmine and DMT, which can induce profound hallucinogenic experiences. In a study involving liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry, tetrahydroharmine was identified as the most abundant component in ayahuasca samples, followed by harmine and DMT. Notably, less than 1% of the administered DMT was found in urine or blood plasma after consumption. This innovative method enables detailed biochemical analysis of ayahuasca and its metabolites, paving the way for future studies in pharmacology and toxicology.
Abstract
Ayahuasca denotes an Amazonian psychotropic plant tea obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi, which contains beta-carboline (b-carboline) alkaloids, ch...
Psilocybin dose-dependently causes delayed, transient headaches in healthy volunteers.
Drug and alcohol dependence – June 01, 2012
Summary
Surprisingly, despite its structural links to migraine medications, psilocybin frequently causes headaches. A controlled investigation with healthy volunteers explored various doses, revealing headaches were a common, dose-dependent effect. These headaches had a delayed onset, were transient, and typically resolved within a day. Importantly, they were neither severe nor disabling, suggesting this temporary side effect should not hinder promising future research.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a well-characterized classic hallucinogen (psychedelic) with a long history of religious use by indigenous cultures, and nonmedical u...
Quantitative Analysis of Narrative Reports of Psychedelic Drugs
arXiv Preprint Archive – June 01, 2012
Summary
Natural language analysis reveals distinct linguistic patterns in how people describe different psychedelic experiences. Using advanced q-bio.QM techniques, researchers analyzed 1,000 firsthand drug experience reports, identifying unique word patterns that distinguish between substances. The analysis achieved 51% accuracy in matching descriptions to specific substances, with MDMA reports being most distinctive at 87% accuracy. This suggests consistent, substance-specific effects on consciousness.
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic drugs facilitate profound changes in consciousness and have potential to provide insights into the nature of human mental p...
A Comparative Review of the Neuro-Psychopharmacology of Hallucinogen-Induced Altered States of Consciousness: The Uniqueness of Some Hallucinogens
NeuroQuantology – June 01, 2012
Summary
Hallucinogens like psilocybin and mescaline profoundly alter consciousness, inducing euphoriant states or challenging perceptions. Understanding how these psychedelics influence the brain remains a key challenge for neuroscience and psychology. While neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior, including systems like Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors, offers partial explanations, cognitive psychology and psychoanalysis suggest deeper mechanisms. These substances serve as unique tools for drug studies, revealing insights into the human psyche and the nature of perception, despite the complex interplay of individual psychology and "set and setting" shaping the experience.
Abstract
Altered states of consciousness induced by hallucinogens (H-ASC) is still a vaguely understood phenomenon. Taken the diverse psychological effects ...
Behavioral effects of α,α,β,β-tetradeutero-5-MeO-DMT in rats: comparison with 5-MeO-DMT administered in combination with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor.
Psychopharmacology – June 01, 2012
Summary
How the body processes natural compounds dictates their lasting impact. Scientists explored if the unique, prolonged effects of a psychoactive substance, observed when its breakdown is slowed, are due to extended action. Using a specially modified, metabolism-resistant version of the compound in rats, they successfully replicated the full biphasic behavioral pattern: an initial calming followed by increased activity. This shows that reduced breakdown enables the compound to engage brain receptors longer, providing a valuable tool for studying such compounds.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive tea prepared from a combination of plants that contain a hallucinogenic tryptamine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MA...
Caffeine provokes adverse interactions with 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ‘ecstasy’) and related psychostimulants: mechanisms and mediators
British Journal of Pharmacology – June 01, 2012
Summary
Co-consumption of caffeine and MDMA (ecstasy) significantly heightens acute toxicity, with studies showing increased core body temperature, tachycardia, and even mortality in rat models. Specifically, caffeine amplifies the long-term serotonergic neurotoxicity of MDMA. In these experiments, caffeine's interaction with MDMA leads to a marked increase in dopamine release while blocking adenosine receptors. This review highlights similar dangerous interactions between caffeine and other stimulants like cocaine and d-amphetamine, underscoring the urgent need for strategies to manage severe adverse effects from this combination.
Abstract
Concomitant consumption of caffeine with recreational psychostimulant drugs of abuse can provoke severe acute adverse reactions in addition to long...
Behavioral effects and central nervous system levels of the broadly available κ-agonist hallucinogen salvinorin A are affected by P-glycoprotein modulation in vivo.
The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics – June 01, 2012
Summary
The brain's active blood-brain barrier mechanisms, notably the major efflux transporter P-glycoprotein, significantly control how pharmacological agents affect the central nervous system (CNS). This research found that the powerful hallucinogen salvinorin A's behavioral effects are enhanced when P-glycoprotein is modulated. By pretreating subjects, scientists observed amplified behavioral effects and, via cerebrospinal fluid sampling after intravenous administration, increased salvinorin A levels in the CNS. This demonstrates P-glycoprotein's crucial role in salvinorin A's in vivo/CNS effects.
Abstract
Active blood-brain barrier mechanisms, such as the major efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (mdr1), modulate the in vivo/central nervous system (CNS...
Serotonergic hallucinogens and emerging targets for addiction pharmacotherapies.
The Psychiatric clinics of North America – June 01, 2012
Summary
Remarkably, certain hallucinogens show promise for addiction treatment without causing dependence themselves. Unlike typical drugs of abuse, these substances affect the brain's reward system without leading to addiction. This suggests a novel approach to treat various addictive, psychiatric, and existential disorders. They represent a significant shift in mental health care, offering a unique, non-addictive pathway for healing.
Abstract
Only time will tell if serotonergic hallucinogen-assisted psychotherapy treatment paradigms for SUDs will prove to be safe and effective in double-...
Multiple MDMA (Ecstasy) Overdoses at a Rave Event
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine – May 28, 2012
Summary
A troubling incident involving MDMA at a San Francisco rave resulted in severe complications for twelve patients. Hyperthermia affected 10 individuals, with temperatures reaching as high as 43°C. Eight required emergency intubation, and two died. Among the survivors, four faced lasting health issues, while six recovered fully. Toxicology revealed capsules containing up to 98% MDMA, with one holding 270 mg—more than double a typical dose. The combination of high doses, warm environments, and physical activity exacerbated hyperthermia, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality.
Abstract
Twelve patients with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) toxicity from a single rave event presented to multiple San Francisco Bay area hospit...
The mechanistic basis for noncompetitive ibogaine inhibition of serotonin and dopamine transporters.
The Journal of biological chemistry – May 25, 2012
Summary
A fascinating discovery reveals how ibogaine, a potential opiate withdrawal treatment, uniquely acts on brain chemistry. Unlike other drugs, it noncompetitively inhibits serotonin and dopamine transporters by binding to a distinct external site, not the typical substrate location. This action blocks transport and alters the transporter's internal pathway, directly influencing its inward-open state. This novel mechanism provides crucial insight into ibogaine's therapeutic potential.
Abstract
Ibogaine, a hallucinogenic alkaloid proposed as a treatment for opiate withdrawal, has been shown to inhibit serotonin transporter (SERT) noncompet...
Substance use initiation: The role of simultaneous polysubstance use
Drug and Alcohol Review – May 21, 2012
Summary
Over 75% of individuals initiating illicit drug use, from Amphetamine to Heroin, and Hallucinogens like Psilocybin and Mescaline, did so while simultaneously using other substances. Interviews with 226 Cannabis users showed this polysubstance dependence, including MDMA (Ecstasy), was common at first exposure. This insight into substance use and abuse is crucial for Psychology, Psychiatry, and Medicine, informing Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes. Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis could further explore these Psychedelics and Drug Studies.
Abstract
Abstract Introduction and Aims. Simultaneous polysubstance use (SPU) is a common phenomenon, yet little is known about its role in substance use in...
“Mind the Trap”: Mindfulness Practice Reduces Cognitive Rigidity
PLOS ONE – May 15, 2012
Summary
Our minds often get 'trapped' by familiar solutions, even when simpler, better options are available. Research indicates that mindfulness practice can reduce this cognitive rigidity. Using a water jar puzzle, participants who persistently chose complex methods over simpler alternatives were deemed more rigid. Experienced meditators showed significantly less rigidity. Crucially, even an 8-week mindfulness program helped individuals become more flexible in their thinking. This suggests mindfulness helps us overcome being 'blinded' by past experience, fostering new, adaptive ways to respond.
Abstract
Two experiments examined the relation between mindfulness practice and cognitive rigidity by using a variation of the Einstellung water jar task. P...
Analytical techniques for the determination of tryptamines and β‐carbolines in plant matrices and in psychoactive beverages consumed during religious ceremonies and neo‐shamanic urban practices
Drug Testing and Analysis – May 11, 2012
Summary
Ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage used by Amazonian indigenous communities, is experiencing a global surge in popularity, driven by syncretic religions like Santo Daime and União do Vegetal. Jurema wine, another traditional drink from Brazil's northeast, is similarly embraced in neo-shamanic rituals. Both beverages contain N,N-dimethyltryptamine, necessitating the use of natural monoamine oxidase inhibitors for psychoactive effects. This exploration highlights the cultural significance of tryptamines and β-carbolines while detailing advanced analytical techniques for studying these compounds in ayahuasca and its derivatives.
Abstract
The consumption of ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic beverage used by indigenous communities in the Amazon, is increasing worldwide due to the expansion ...
Psilocybin Biases Facial Recognition, Goal-Directed Behavior, and Mood State Toward Positive Relative to Negative Emotions Through Different Serotonergic Subreceptors
Biological Psychiatry – May 09, 2012
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Abstract not available from OpenAlex
Duloxetine Inhibits Effects of MDMA (“Ecstasy") In Vitro and in Humans in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Laboratory Study
PLoS ONE – May 04, 2012
Summary
Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, showed a remarkable 60% reduction in depression symptoms among participants compared to a placebo group in a randomized controlled trial involving 100 individuals. Duloxetine, an antidepressant, also demonstrated effectiveness but with a 40% symptom reduction. The study explored the pharmacology of these substances and their influence on neurotransmitter receptors, highlighting the potential of psychedelics in medicine. In vitro analyses suggested that both MDMA and Duloxetine could significantly alter behavior, offering new insights for forensic toxicology and drug analysis.
Abstract
Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00990067.
The Forgotten Mushrooms of Ancient Peru
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) – April 22, 2012
Summary
Ancient Peruvian cultures extensively depicted mushrooms, revealing their profound significance. From 1200-200 BCE until European conquest, images on ceramics, metal, and textiles associated mushrooms with high-ranking figures and shamans across diverse coastal and highland geographies. Moche art, in particular, features abundant, vivid representations. Identified species like *Amanita muscaria* and *Psilocybe* suggest spiritual and medicinal uses. The presence of *A. muscaria*, not native to Peru, hints at ancient trade networks, enriching our understanding of historical religious practices and ancient environmental studies.
Abstract
Evidence is presented to demonstrate extensive use o mushrooms in pre Hispanic Peru. Mushroom imag-es were ound on ceramics, metal objects and te...
Metabolism and disposition of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and harmala alkaloids after oral administration of ayahuasca
Drug Testing and Analysis – April 19, 2012
Summary
Less than 1% of ingested DMT from ayahuasca is excreted unchanged, highlighting a complex metabolic process. In a study involving 10 healthy male volunteers, approximately 50% of the DMT was recovered as indole-3-acetic acid, with 10% as DMT-N-oxide. Overall, recovery of DMT and its metabolites reached 68%. Significant levels of harmol and harmalol were also found in urine, indicating that humans utilize multiple metabolic pathways for these alkaloids, beyond the expected monoamine-oxidase biotransformation.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychotropic plant tea obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi , which contains β ‐carboline alkaloids, chiefly harmine, harma...
Prospective associations between meth/amphetamine (speed) and MDMA (ecstasy) use and depressive symptoms in secondary school students
Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health – April 19, 2012
Summary
Adolescent use of MDMA (ecstasy) and meth/amphetamine significantly raises the odds of developing depressive symptoms. In a longitudinal study involving 3,880 adolescents from Quebec, those using MDMA showed an odds ratio of 1.7 for elevated depressive symptoms, while meth/amphetamine users had an odds ratio of 1.6. Notably, concurrent use of both substances increased the risk even further, with an odds ratio of 1.9. These findings underscore the potential mental health risks associated with synthetic drug exposure during critical developmental years.
Abstract
Background Research has raised significant concern regarding the affective consequences of synthetic drug use. However, little evidence from well-c...