Natural Psychedelics _ ________________________________________________________________________
This course will focus on plants and plant-derived chemicals that have been traditionally classified as psychedelics.
INTRODUCTION Natural psychedelics have a long history of use in various cultures. This history covers a wide range of uses, including within sacred rituals and as therapeutic remedies. Over the past several decades, many of these substances have also become known for their use as recreational drugs. However, there has also been growing interest in the mainstream use of psychedelics as medical treatments, particularly for mental health disorders. Some of this interest focuses on synthetic chemicals that have other accepted medical uses, such as ketamine. However, there is also a growing interest and body of research on the use of natural psychedelics, which are derived from plants. This course will focus on the natural psychedelics. DEFINITIONS Hallucinogens are a class of psychoactive drugs that can produce altered states of consciousness characterized by major alterations in thought, mood, and perception, among other changes. Hallucinogens can be split into three sub-categories: psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants [1; 2]. Psychedelics are substances causing unusually strong experiences of color, sound, smell, taste, and touch, and other mental effects, such as feelings of deep understanding or hallucination. Examples of chemicals in this class include dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and psilocybin. Although a psychedelic is considered a hallucinogen, not all hallucinogens are considered psychedelics. Dissociatives are substances that cause feelings of separation and detachment from the body or physical environment. At high doses, these substances can cause analgesia, amnesia, and cataplexy. They can also cause hallucinations and other changes in thoughts, emotions, and consciousness. Examples of drugs in this class include ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), and nitrous oxide. Deliriants are substances that cause a state of delirium, often characterized by confusion and a lack of control of one’s actions. Angel’s trumpet ( Brugmansia suaveolens ), western jimsonweed ( Datura wrightii ), jimsonweed ( Datura stramonium ), and henbane ( Hyoscyamus niger ) are all considered deliriants. Many plants that are classified as deliriants exert their effects via anticholinergic activity. These effects are often caused by tropane alkaloids, many of which (e.g., scopolamine, atropine) have known therapeutic uses when purified and administered in small doses. Because the quantity of these constituents can vary based on growing conditions, time of year, and method of preparation, many of these plants are considered toxic. In fact, deaths have been reported with even small doses of many popular deliriants, including jimsonweed and angel’s trumpet [3; 4].
PSYCHEDELICS AS THERAPY Although psychedelics are considered to be a promising option for the treatment of mental health disorders, understanding of their effects is limited. Much of the original interest in this use grew out of anecdotal reports of promising improvements after recreational use. Since that time, some exploratory research has further encouraged interest in this area. Most psychedelics exert their effects via the serotonin (5-HT) system. This system is involved in the pathology and treatment of psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety, and cognitive deficits. Although many psychedelic chemicals are thought to exert effects via a number of other pathways as well, the known activity within the serotonin system has been considered supportive of the potential use of psychedelics for mental health care [5]. Exploratory research in humans has also confirmed that psychedelic substances can alter the function of the brain. For example, LSD and psilocybin have been shown to increase connectivity between some regions of the brain and decrease connectivity between others. These chemicals have also been shown to alter the level of blood flow to different regions of the brain. Other research has indicated that various psychedelic chemicals might alter the processing of sensory information, including emotions and facial expressions, which may have a measurable improvement in certain mental health conditions [5]. UNIQUE CONSIDERATIONS Natural psychedelics present a unique set of considerations that should be kept in mind with any type of use, from recreational to therapeutic. LEGAL CONCERNS Since the 1970s, most psychedelic substances have been classified as Schedule I controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). This classification indicates that these substances have “no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.” Although many countries have imposed similar restrictions on these substances, a small number of countries, such as Portugal and the Netherlands, have not criminalized their use [1]. The use, possession, sale, and manufacture of Schedule I substances is considered federally illegal. As such, the heavy restrictions placed on these chemicals can make it very difficult to conduct both preclinical and clinical research. In the late 1990s, the DEA began to permit limited research on certain psychedelics; however, there are still many barriers to conducting research on these substances [1].
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MDTX1625
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