Mind Altering Drugs

Hallucinogens Cause hallucinations which are distortions in: 1. Touch 2. Smell 3. Hearing 4. Vision Which in turn cause vivid illusions which bend reality to a remarkable degree

Examples of Halucinogens: LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) Mescaline Psilocybin THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol)

LSD () Walt Disney ----A powerful hallucinogen manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus.

LSD Effects: Perception is magnified Judgment is impaired The appearance of simultaneous opposite emotions (Like relaxation and tension) Dilation of pupils Increase in heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature Sweating, sleeplessness, tremors Mental Physical Works by preventing neurotransmitters from facilitating connections between neurons in the brain.

Mescaline Made from the Peyote cactus found in Central and South America Effects: Similar to LSD, though far less potent Causes vivid visual hallucinations

Psilocybin Found in “magic mushrooms” Mild hallucinogen Effects are similar to LSD (perception is magnified) Like LSD and mescaline, psilocybin structurally resembles the neurotransmitter serotonin, and binds with the same receptors in the brain and over stimulates them

THC Found in marijuana and hashish, both extracted from the cannabis plant Mild Hallucinogen In low doses, makes one feel silly and excited Increase in dosage causes changes in perception (Seeing of bright colors) (Improvement of hearing) As well as heightened difficulty of decision-making Effects:

Structures In the case of LSD: Indole ring: Where a benzene ring is fused via a common C=C bond to a heterocyclic amine compound in which the nitrogen atom is part of the ring. The part of the structure shown in blue is known as an INDOLE ring. LSD is very fat soluble, and therefore easily diffuses into the brain and cell membranes of nerve cells, and as a result is a very potent hallucinogen.

Structures Continued In the case of mescaline: Contains the benzene ring, but lacks the indole structure of LSD do to it not having the heterocyclic fused-ring component Instead, mescaline contains a primary amine group, NH 2, which ends up resembling the complete indole structure

Structures Continued In the case of psilocybin: Psilocybin has a similar structure to LSD in the sense that it too has the indole structure (here shown in red)

Structures Continued The chemical structures of LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin resemble that of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which also has an indole structure as a skeleton. Serotonin Notice the indole structure supporting numerous functional groups *Due to similar structures, LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin fit into the same nerve receptors as serotonin would, and over-stimulate these receptors causing hallucinations

Legalization of cannabis --Arguments for legalization-- -Cannabis plant (cannabis sativa) contains pharmacologically active components (cannabinoids). --Offers relief from diseases such as AIDS, cancer, and glaucoma -Can increase appetite for those suffering from drastic weight loss due to AIDS -Can relieve nausea *Helps cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to suppress the nausea the procedure produces -Relieves tension and anxiety Medical reasons:

Legalization of cannabis --Arguments for legalization-- Other reasons: -Legalization would improve quality control -Reduce harmful impurities -Would move marijuana away from environments where hard drugs are sold

Legalization of cannabis --Arguments against legalization-- -Smoking marijuana regularly can lead to respiratory ailments -Regular intake may suppress immune system -Can decrease fertility in males -Some evidence that it causes brain damage in rats -Some evidence of chromosomal damage which could cause birth defects -Addiction can lead to financial distress