Drug Dangerousness and Psychedelics Overview

A chemical compound extracted from the seed pods of opium poppy plants.

Substances that contain opium or its psychoactive constituents, or chemically similar drugs.

Synthetically produced drugs chemically similar to naturally occurring opioids.

A synthetic opioid used as an analgesic and anesthetic.

The most potent commercially available opioid, often found in illicit drug markets.

An evaluation of drug dangerousness considering factors like acute reactions, long-term dependence, and social/health impacts.

A neologism coined by Humphry Osmond in 1956, meaning mind-manifesting or soul-revealing.

The British-born psychiatrist who coined the term 'psychedelic' and was the director of the Weyburn Mental Hospital.

A Canadian psychiatrist who was Osmond's director of research at the Weyburn Mental Hospital.

A new chemical compound, LSD-25, synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938 at Sandoz company.

LSD use was seen as a path to transformative experiences, often compared to traditional mystical practices.

The San Francisco Bay Area was a hotbed for LSD experimentation during the 1960s, with researchers exploring its potential to enhance creativity.

Engineers and other professionals believed LSD's effects, like mental agility and problem-solving abilities, contributed to innovations, particularly in Silicon Valley.

Humphrey Osmond, a psychiatrist, coined the term "psychedelic" to emphasize the mind-expanding nature of these drugs.

Humphrey Osmond, concerned about the misuse of psychedelics, aimed to distance legitimate research from recreational use by introducing the term "psychedelic."

A subjective experience of a profound shift in consciousness, often reported as a sense of awakening or enlightenment.

The process of applying insights gained from a psychedelic experience to the external world and everyday life.

A deliberate withdrawal from conventional societal values and pursuits to embark on a spiritual journey, often influenced by psychedelic experiences.

A state of altered awareness characterized by perceptual distortions, vivid imagery, and profound emotional experiences, often induced by psychedelic drugs.

A type of psychedelic experience that dissolves boundaries between self and external reality, leading to a sense of interconnectedness and unity.

A mind-altering drug that induces a state of altered awareness and altered perceptions, often associated with spiritual and psychological insights.

A term used to describe the countercultural movement of the 1960s, characterized by experimentation with psychedelic drugs, exploration of spirituality, and rejection of societal norms.

A term coined by Timothy Leary to describe the use of psychedelic drugs as a means of awakening consciousness and achieving spiritual liberation.

A study comparing people with schizophrenia who had used drugs to those who hadn't found that drug users had better psychological adjustment before the onset of schizophrenia, but worse adjustment overall compared to non-schizophrenic individuals.

The difficulty in attributing psychosis to a single drug when individuals with schizophrenia have used multiple substances.

The idea that some individuals may be more susceptible to experiencing psychosis after using psychedelics.

The similarity between delirium tremens, a severe alcohol withdrawal symptom with hallucinations, and the psychological effects of LSD.

The idea that giving high doses of LSD to alcoholics might mimic delirium tremens, potentially preventing them from experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms.

A type of therapy that aims to help individuals with alcohol use disorders by providing humane care within a controlled setting.

A research method where neither the participants nor the researchers know which group is receiving the treatment and which is receiving a placebo.

A type of therapy that involves using hypnosis to enhance the effects of LSD and guide individuals towards self-reflection and positive change.

The Good Friday Experiment aimed to investigate whether the experiences induced by psilocybin resemble the mystical experiences described by religious mystics.

A key characteristic of mystical experiences, referring to the inability to adequately describe the profound nature of the experience using language.

The overall environment and mindset in which a psychedelic experience takes place, which can significantly influence the nature and outcome of the experience.

The belief that psychedelic experiences can lead to a profound awakening of consciousness and a shift in one's understanding of oneself and the world.

The use of psychedelics in palliative care aims to provide relief from emotional and physical pain, as well as changing perspectives on death through profound experiences.

A research study conducted at Johns Hopkins University, which investigated the long-term effects of psilocybin on participants 40 years after the original Good Friday Experiment.

A neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in mood, sleep, appetite, and other functions, and is thought to be involved in the effects of psychedelic drugs.

The effect of psilocybin on the brain, which leads to changes in perception, thought, and emotion, is thought to be mediated through its interaction with serotonin receptors.

A type of psychedelic experience characterized by intense emotional and psychological experiences, often involving fear, anxiety, or confusion.

A key element of the therapeutic use of psychedelics, which involves preparation and integration, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for transformative experiences.

A profound emotional experience that is considered life-changing and holds great personal significance.

The legal status of LSD changed significantly in the 1960s and 1970s: it was available to physicians, then restricted, then made illegal nationwide. Eventually, the Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act classified LSD as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has no recognized medical use and a high potential for abuse.

A 1990 survey of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners revealed that a large portion of respondents had experienced psychedelics and some even attributed their interest in Buddhism to these experiences.

After a period of prohibition, government-sanctioned psychedelic research began to re-emerge in the early 1990s, focusing on the physiological and neurological effects rather than the subjective experiences.

The potential therapeutic uses of psychedelics started receiving more recognition in the 2000s due to events like Albert Hofmann's 100th birthday symposium, the Supreme Court's decision regarding ayahuasca, and a groundbreaking study on psilocybin.

LSD is a powerful drug, with even tiny doses producing effects. Smallest doses create mild euphoria, while higher doses lead to more pronounced psychedelic experiences.

Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, produces effects that are generally gentler than LSD but still result in visual and mental alterations.

The peyote cactus, used ceremonially by Native Americans, contains mescaline, a psychedelic compound known for its intense physiological arousal and sensory experiences.

DMT, a powerful psychedelic found naturally and synthesized, creates effects similar to LSD but with a faster onset and a shorter duration. It's known for its intense and often alien-like experiences.

Ayahuasca, a brew made from Banisteriopsis vines and other plants, is a powerful psychedelic used in indigenous South American traditions.

Ayahuasca tourism, a growing trend, involves travelers seeking experiences with the psychedelic brew, but it raises issues related to cultural appropriation and potential risks.

The brain's ability to regulate its chemical balance can lead to tolerance for psychedelic drugs, resulting in the need for higher doses to achieve the same effects.

Psychedelic drugs, particularly LSD, can lead to flashbacks, where past experiences under the influence can reoccur.

Psychedelic drugs are known to interact with serotonin receptors in the brain, potentially affecting mood, perception, and self-identity.

The long-term effects of psychedelics can include changes in perception, vivid dreams, and potential for psychosis-like experiences in vulnerable individuals.