D10 Mind-Altering Drugs Structural similarietes and differences The effects of LSD, mescaline, psilocybin and THC Arguments for and against legalisation of cannabis

Mind-altering drugs (except THC) Amines Contain the indole ring LSD Psilocybin Mescaline Indole ring

LSDPsilocybinMescaline Indole ringYes No Benzene ringYes Ether groupNo Yes Phosphoric acid group NoYesNo Amide groupYesNo AmineYesNoYes Secondary and tertiary amine Primary

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, LSD Derived from ergot (mjöldryga), a grain fungus that typically grows on rye or wheat A semisynthetic psychedelic drug Works by blocking the action of the transmitter substance serotonin Taken orally AKA: Acid

Short-term effects of LSD - Restlessness - Dizziness - Desire to laugh - Distortions in sound and visual perception - Unpleasant hallucinations: lead to despair and suicide - Takers might believe that they can “fly”

Long-term effects of LSD - Severe depression - Psychosis: radical changes in personality, impaired functioning, and a distorted or non- existent sense of objective reality - Dramatic mood swings - Loss of communication skills - Loss of appetite

Psilocybin- magic mushrooms Found in “Psilocybe Semilanceata” Mushrooms typically contain 0. 2 to 0.4 percent psilocybin Can be produced synthetically Mildly hallucinogenic Ingested orally

Effects of Psilocybin - Hallucinations - Inability to distinguish between reality and fantasy - Panic reactions - Alteration of perception - Dilated pupils - Muscle weakness - Feeling of insight - Not addictive May be confused with ”Deadly webcaps” or Earthly Inocybe”

Feeling of insight, example G9Fw G9Fw

Mescaline Dark-brown powder ground from "buttons" of the Mexican cactus,“peyote”. Taken orally Bitter taste

Effects of Mescaline Headaches Anxiety Feeling of dying or annihilation Euphoria Hallucinations Alters visual and auditory perception Liver damage?

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) Active ingredient in Marijuana; weed or cannabis Affects the release of acetylcholine, noradrenaline and dopamine in the brain, and also has analgesic (pain-killing) effects Intake: smoked, inhaled or eaten Made from the flowering tops, stems, leaves, and seeds of the Hemp plant

Short-term effects of THC - Feeling of relaxation - Enhanced auditory and visual perception - Loss of sense of time - Confusion - Emotional distress - Anxiety Functional groups?

Long-term effects of THC - Apathy: feeling of indifference and suppression of emotions - Lethargy: Fatigue - Lowering of fertility - Risk of cancer

Legalization of Marijuana- pro 1.Marijuana is available medically to many terminally ill patients as well as for some other conditions: cancer, epilepsy 2.Legalization would allow police to focus their efforts on more important matters 3.Taxes on marijuana would possibly generate large amounts of revenue

Legalization of Marijuana-contra -Increased costs to society: especially from cancer and heart disease from smoking -Increased danger from people driving under the influence -Marijuana abuse would increase -Marijuana’s status as a gateway drug would lead to increased addiction to more dangerous drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin