psychedelics psychedelic

Psychedelics - everything EVERYONE should know - use, description and history in a nutshell

Psychedelics are a group of psychoactive substances that cause specific changes in perception, but also in consciousness or the way we feel. They are often referred to as serotonergic hallucinogens, although this nomenclature has little to do with the effects they produce. More and more countries are decriminalizing psychedelics, which cannot be treated on the same level as drugs. So it's worth learning more about them and their use in medicine.

Psychedelics - basic information

Psychedelics Have been used by humans since time immemorial. Already many years ago their potential was recognized. From the very beginning, one should get rid of the misconception that they cause hallucinations resembling psychosis. It is worth knowing that psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that produce an altered state of consciousness. It is characterized by unusual changes in perception, but also in the mood itself or cognitive processes. It is now believed that psychedelics produce binding to serotonin receptors such as 5 - H hydroxyethoxy tryptamine or 5-HT, especially 5-HT 2a subtype. Serotonin plays a very important role in the human body, and is often called the "happy hormone." It affects sensory perception, but also behavior, mood or memory. It is also important to know that psychedelic substances, unlike psychoactive substances, do not directly affect familiar states of mind, but induce experiences that are decidedly different and unknown. They can lead to trances, meditation, but also daydreams.

Psychedelics can be divided into three main groups. These are: tryptamines, lysergamides and phenethylamines. The former are based on or derived from dimethyltryptamine (DMT), while lysergamides are based on LSD, and phenethylamines are based on mescaline.

Unlike other highly banned substances, most psychedelics are not toxic and do not lead to addiction either.

How do psychedelics work?

Psychedelics act on serotonin receptors, or 5-HT receptors, due to their structural similarity to the serotonin molecule. At the same time, they have affinity for different 5-HT receptors and can be classified in terms of their activity such as 5-HT 1A , 5-HT 1B , 5-HT 2A and so on. So it can be concluded that many psychedelics have very close chemical and structural similarities to serotonin itself. There is a belief that they can therefore be effective in treatment. They also produce subjective effects. One of these is visual effects, e.g., improvement of focus, enhancement of color, magnification, enhancement of pattern recognition, but also distortion or change of perspective.

Among the cognitive effects are:

  • analysis enhancement;
  • emotional reinforcement;
  • catharsis;
  • increasing creativity;
  • sleep enhancement;
  • Empathy enhancement;
  • less shyness and more sociability;
  • better music experience;
  • susceptibility to laughter;
  • acceleration of thought;
  • personality enhancement;
  • better sense of humor;
  • Immersion enhancement disorganization of thought;
  • Suppression of personal biases;
  • addiction suppression;
  • conceptual thinking;
  • deja vu;
  • illusions;
  • attentiveness;
  • personality regression;
  • autonomous voice communication;
  • euphoria;
  • better well-being;
  • experiencing happiness.

Physical effects include:

  • Strengthening body control;
  • increased libido;
  • tactile reinforcement;
  • appetite suppression;
  • reduced libido;
  • mastering feeling the change in gravity;
  • excessive yawning,
  • perception of body weight;
  • perception of lightness of the body;
  • pupil dilation;
  • physical euphoria;
  • rhinitis;
  • spontaneous physical sensations;
  • analgesic effect.

But you may also experience: dehydration, accelerated heart rate, elevated blood pressure, grinding of teeth or temporary erectile dysfunction.

Division and natural psychedelics

Breakdown psychedelics By mechanism of action:

  • psychedelics serotonin receptor agonist;
  • tryptamines;
  • lysergamide;
  • Phenylethylamine;
  • amphetamine derivatives;
  • empathogens;
  • dissociants;
  • NMDA receptor antagonist and sigma1 ligand;
  • kappa opioid receptor agonist;
  • cholinergics;
  • delirious;
  • tropane derivatives;
  • antihistamines;
  • cannabinoids.

It is difficult to consider psychedelics in the context of heavy drugs, especially since their effects are different, moreover, they have been used for years or millennia in rituals. They are found in nature. Here we can mention, for example, species of vines such as Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, from which the drink ayahuasca is made. It contains DMT and MAOI. Also, plants in the genus Clematis, such as Argyreia nervosa, Ipomoea violacea or wilt, contain at least lysergic acid amide, while Rivea corymbosa contains lysergic acid amide. Tabernanthe iboga, Catharanthus roseus or Trichocereus peruvianus can also be mentioned. Of course, psychedelic is peyote, which, like Trichocereus pachanoi, contains mescaline. Psychedelics are, of course, psilocybin mushrooms, red mace or red toadstool. Among animals, the venom of Bufo toads is considered psychedelic, as it contains 5-MeO-DMT and bufotenin.

Psychedelics - where did the name come from?

Psychedelics is a term coined in 1956 by psychiatrist Humphry Osmand. The name itself was an alternative descriptor for the word "hallucinogenic," which was often used in psychedelic therapy. This doctor was looking for an apt term to refer to the sensations induced by LSD. Osmond contacted his friend Aldous Huxley, who called the state after taking LCD "phanerotime." It comes from the Greek words meaning "obvious" (φανερός) and "spirit" (θύμος). The men corresponded with each other and in one letter Huxley wrote to Osmond these words:

"To make this temporal world sublime,

take half a gram of phanerothyme," to which the latter wrote back:

"To explore hell or rise angelically,

just take a pinch of psychedelic" and just the word psychedelics enrolled permanently.

Here it is worth knowing that the word "psychedelics" is derived from the Greek words ψυχή (psyche, "soul, mind") and δηλείν (delein, "to manifest, reveal"), which together mean "revelation of the soul." This meant that by taking them one could access the unfathomable and develop all the potentials afforded by the human mind.

Psychedelics were often referred to as psychozomimetics, schizophrenogenics, cataleptogenics, mysticomimetics, and psychodysleptics. The former two names referred to scientists' misconceptions that they psychedelics induced a state of mind akin to psychosis or schizophrenia, which of course has been disproven.

History of psychedelics - from acceptance through full criminalization

Psychedelics have caused controversy over the years de facto very wrongly, because studies conducted over the years clearly show that their use is safe in principle and they have a wide spectrum of applications. They show really good results in the treatment of, for example, depression. However, as we mentioned in the beginning, they were mistakenly thought to induce hallucinogenic states resembling those in psychosis. Nowadays, it can be said that the attitude towards psychedelics is constantly changing and, according to estimates by US analysts, their market is worth about $100 billion. But let's start at the beginning, because their history is long and goes back to really ancient times. You should know that psychedelic substances can be produced in a laboratory and then we are dealing with a psychedelics synthetic, while those of natural origin, or entheogens, were known as early as 6,000 years ago.

Natural psychedelics They were used as early as in Antiquity. They were used in ceremonies or rituals. They also influenced the shaping of cultures. They were used for medicinal purposes or to alter the state of consciousness. Then, of course, mushrooms or plants were used. This is confirmed by paintings found in various regions of the world, for example in Europe or North Africa. The first of these dates back to 4000 BC. It depicted psilocybin. On the other hand, between 3780 and 3660 BC, paintings were created depicting ceremonies using peyote by indigenous peoples in North and South America. There is also evidence that between 1300- 1521 a.d. The Aztecs consumed mushrooms, which they called "the body of the Gods," but with the conquest by Spain, they were forbidden to use mushrooms even in ceremonies. It is still worth knowing that even Christian texts from the 1500s refer to the use of peyote for witchcraft.

In the 19th century, scientists and psychiatrists began to explore the use of psilocybin as a drug, and many became advocates of psychedelic medicine. Unfortunately, their uncontrolled recreational use led governments to debate their legal status, but also resulted in restrictions. It's worth knowing that the milestone in the development of knowledge and the possibilities offered by the psychedelics was made in 1897, when Arthur Heffter first wyisolated the mescaline from peyote cactus. And scientists Jean Dybowsky and Edouard Landrin in 1901 isolated ibogaine, which is an organic chemical compound extracted from the bark of the African plant Tabernanthe iboga. Ibogaine belongs to the tryptamine family. The following years are also groundbreaking. In 1912, Anton Kollisch created MDMA while trying to synthesize another substance. Meanwhile, in 1938 Albert Hofmann synthesizes LSD and 1958 he discovers psilocybin. A few years later, in 1962, Calvin Stevens synthesizes ketamine. Finally, we reach 1966, when the United States begins to criminalize the possession, sale and production of LSD. Two years later, the Staggers-Dodd Act enters, making it clear that possession of psilocybin and other psychedelic substances is illegal. In 1971, the UN bends over psychedelics and publishes the "Convention on Psychotropic Substances," stating. psychedelics, including LSD, DMT and MDMA, are now controlled substances. Since 1971, both in the US and the UK psychedelics Are under constant scrutiny.

A little more contemporary

The next few years saw a lot of research, but also a lot of restrictions related to the psychedelics. In 1976, chemist Alexander Shulgin discovered the effects of MDMA after synthesizing a batch and testing 120 milligrams on himself. He said he felt perfectly fine after taking it and felt nothing but pure euphoria. He shared his conclusion with San Francisco therapist Leo Zeff, who was conducting psychedelic therapy despite the ban. Zeff sent small doses of psychedelics to 4,000 therapists who administered it to 200,000 patients in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The effects were surprising and the response from patients was positive in both treating anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and various varieties of depression. Although studies conducted have continually confirmed how well they affect the human mind, the FDA and DEA have fought the claim of therapeutic effects at all costs psychedelics recognizing that they have no medical applications and cause severe addictions. Currently, researchers have to overcome many hurdles to get official approval for research on the psychedelics USA. However, a 2006 study by John Hopkins found that magic mushrooms can induce mystical-type experiences. A 2008 study showed that 80% of PTSD patients who did not have a positive therapeutic effect on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and therapy experienced very large benefits after using psychedelics. MAPS has conducted studies that have confirmed that even a low dose is effective, while being safe and generally without side effects. Psilocybin is used to treat veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, cancer patients, and people struggling with addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psychedelics - safe or not?

Psychedelics are not drugs and should not be analyzed from this angle. First of all, unlike many illegal substances, they have no established lethal doses. In fact, nowhere in the literature can one find documented deaths caused by their effects. It is also worth noting the potential for addiction itself, which is very low. Studies done on animals have shown that there are no successful attempts to train animals to take these substances on their own. The same is true for humans - there is still no clinical evidence that psychedelics cause addiction and, interestingly, even their long-term use does not cause any withdrawal syndrome, which is the case even with the use of the most commonly used drugs based on the active substance paroxetine, which have an antidepressant effect and are called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The effects are not insignificant, and for most psychedelics are felt immediately after taking them, and even after a week of use, patients noticed positive effects, which is impossible to achieve even with antidepressants such as Parogen. The use of psychedelic substances themselves is considered safe, but nevertheless one must be wary of certain interactions that can cause side effects. Lithium, for example, is commonly prescribed to treat bipolar disorder. There is evidence that the combination of Lithium and psychoactive substances increases the risk, psychosis and epileptic seizures. As a result, such a combination is discouraged. Cannabis, on the other hand, can produce unexpectedly strong interactions with psychedelics, hence caution is advised when combining them. Such a combo can cause anxiety reactions, but also paranoia, panic attacks and psychosis. Hence, full caution should be exercised and when combining psychedelics with cannabis, you need to start with the smallest dose of marijuana. It is still worth knowing that the most dangerous is the combination of psychedelics with drugs such as amphetamine, cocaine or methylphenidate, as they affect many parts of the brain and alter dopaminergic function. Hence there is a greater risk of anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks and thought loops. Paranoia or mania may also occur. Tramadol is a powerful opioid drug and combining it with psychedelics Can cause severe seizures.

Psychedelics list

1. classic psychedelics

  • LSD (lysergic acid) - A synthetic compound that has been popular since the 1960s.
  • Psylocybin - The active compound in psilocybin mushrooms, such as Psilocybe cubensis or Psilocybe azurescens.
  • DMT (dimethyltryptamine) - naturally occurs in plants like chacruna (Psychotria viridis) and is used in rituals with ayahuasca.
  • Mescaline - the main psychoactive compound in cacti such as peyote (Lophophora williamsii) and San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi).
  • Bufotenin - an alkaloid found in the skin of some toad species and in plants, has structural similarities to DMT.

2. natural psychedelics (of plant or animal origin)

  • Ayahuasca - A mixture of plants containing DMT (like chacruna) and MAO-I (like Banisteriopsis caapi), used in Amazonian ceremonies.
  • Iboga - root of the iboga bush (Tabernanthe iboga), used by African tribes in ritual ceremonies.
  • San Pedro cactus - contains mescaline, used traditionally by South American tribes.
  • Pejotl cactus - another natural source of mescaline, used by indigenous peoples in North America.
  • Salvinorin A - The active ingredient in the sage plant (Salvia divinorum), has a strong, short-lived hallucinogenic effect.

3. synthetic psychedelics

  • 2C-B - a synthetic substance developed by Alexander Shulgin, with psychedelic and empathogenic properties.
  • MDMA (ecstasy) - although mainly known as an empathogen, also has some psychedelic properties, especially at higher doses.
  • HOUSE - also known as STP, a potent long-acting psychedelic, an amphetamine derivative.
  • DOB, DOI, DOC - substances of the amphetamine group, differing in chemical structure, which have hallucinogenic properties.

4. empathogens with psychedelic traits

  • MDMA - stimulates the release of serotonin, evoking feelings of empathy and understanding, although it is not a classic psychedelic.
  • MDA - Like MDMA, it has empathogenic properties and moderate psychedelic effects.

Psychedelics as drugs, not narcotics - a review of research on their effectiveness

At the beginning of the 20th century, substances began to be analyzed for their effect psychedelic In terms of drugs. At the time, mescaline or peyote were used. Numerous studies began to show these substances in a completely different light, as the use of even small doses brought relief to patients suffering from depression. Today, it is increasingly believed that the skillful use of psychedelics together with therapy allows to get the best effect and lead to complete remission in severe depression or even severe PSD. But let's focus on their effects, and this issue is explained very well by Dr. Jerrold Rosenbaum, who is the director of the newly established Massachusetts General Hospital's Psychedelics Neuroscience Center and a psychiatrist. Well, he believes that psychedelics induce a transient change in the brain, and in such a way that there is a resetting of previously felt ways of feeling and fixed patterns. There are probably several mechanisms of action of psychedelics providing such a state. One is that they create new connections in neural networks while the resting state of the brain loses connectivity. In addition, new connections between neurons are also formed. This process is called neuroplasticity.

A 2021 study reported in JAMA Psychiatry showed that psilocybin is effective in producing large, rapid and lasting antidepressant effects in patients with major depressive disorder when other treatments have failed to produce positive results. Another 2021 study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine found that patients struggling with severe or moderate depression who received two doses of psilocybin achieved a better therapeutic effect after just six weeks than patients who received daily doses of escitalopram. The 2021 study also confirmed that the use of psychedelics is safe and well tolerated in the treatment of people with severe post-traumatic stress disorder. One of the psychedelicsthat is increasingly being used to treat severe depression is ketamine, and it has been approved as an option for patients for whom treatment to date has not been effective. Many researchers are showing great interest in introducing drugs based on psychedelic substances in hospice care. These would be intended to help patients overcome their fear of death, but also to make the dying process itself a more mystical and spiritual experience.

Legality of psychedelics

Under international law, no plants containing psilocin and psilocybin are currently controlled under the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Criminal cases are therefore decided with reference to national law.

Studies confirm the relatively high safety of the use of psychedelicsbut also make even the most prominent scientists strive to change their status to legal. At the same time, it is important to know that the situation in many countries with regard to psychedelics is different. One of the most liberal countries is Brazil, where psychedelic mushrooms can be legally purchased. Since 1992, after a series of legal battles over the religious rights of traditional ayahuasca practitioners, even possession and use of ayahuasca has been legal. Another country is, of course, Jamaica, where psychedelics They are sold openly and in fact have never been banned by the Government of that country. The situation is similar in the Netherlands, and it can be said that this country has the most liberal regulations on just psychedelics. You can buy psilocybin in the form of "magic truffles" there without problems, also ayahuasca has legal status. The situation is interesting in the US, where all means even those based on psilocybin were considered drugs. However, after a legal battle that occurred in the 1960s, Native Americans are allowed to consume peyote during religious ceremonies. But its consumption is also not prohibited in Southwestern states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Nevada. In addition, this year Oregon became the first state to legalize the use of psilocybin. Portugal, too, has fairly liberal laws and the occasional use of psychedelics is not punished there. Most countries are increasingly moving away from punishing users of psychedelics Of natural origin, so, for example, psilicin mushrooms. In our country, psilocybin and psilocin are listed as illegal, but not the mushroom species themselves. Well, mushroom spore kits and cultivation kits are legal and are sold openly in stores or on the Internet.

Psychedelics are gaining increasing use in medicine, and all indications are that they will soon be used on a large scale in medical treatment. This is being sought by doctors, but also by the Polish Psychedelic Society, which popularizes, but also supports scientific research on psychedelic substances, especially since the information currently gathered confirms their effectiveness, but also their safety.

The most comprehensive article on psychedelics as such. Division of psychedelics - their history and research on them.