Opioids and Psychedelics Overview

A chemical compound present in opium poppy plants.

Substances derived from opium or chemically similar synthetic drugs.

Synthetic drugs mimicking the effects of naturally occurring opioids.

A powerful opioid used as a pain reliever and anesthetic.

An opioid with intense potency used illegally.

A scale that examines the harm produced by drugs based on acute reactions, long-term dependence, and social impact.

Drugs that alter perception and consciousness.

The term coined by Humphry Osmond in 1956 to describe mind-manifesting or soul-revealing substances.

The director of research at Weyburn Mental Hospital, who worked with Humphry Osmond on psychedelic research.

The chemical compound synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938, known for its potent psychedelic effects.

A state of heightened awareness and expanded consciousness often accompanied by vivid sensory experiences.

The process of integrating and applying insights gained from psychedelic experiences into everyday life.

The pursuit of personal growth and spiritual awakening often involving withdrawal from mainstream society.

The concept that the world we perceive is an illusion, potentially influenced by factors like our beliefs and consciousness.

Mind-altering substances that induce a state of altered consciousness often marked by hallucinations and altered perceptions.

A term used to describe the process of dissolving mental barriers and fixed ways of thinking.

Drugs that can mimic or induce psychosis, a mental state characterized by distorted thoughts and behaviors.

The use of LSD by artists, engineers, architects, and scientists in the San Francisco Bay Area to enhance creativity, resulting in reported benefits like enhanced mental fluidity and improved problem-solving abilities.

Humphry Osmond's attempt to distance legitimate psychedelic research from its more frivolous use by introducing the term "psychedelic" as an alternative to "psychotomimetic"

The belief held by some individuals that psychedelics like LSD could liberate people and provide visionary experiences previously reserved for mystics and esoteric groups.

Drug advocates using LSD, faced accusations of being "sick and dangerous" by authorities, while they countered by accusing medical personnel and lawmakers of promoting enslaving drugs like alcohol and nicotine while prohibiting liberating psychedelics.

The use of psychedelics to explore and potentially enhance creativity, often leading to breakthroughs in fields like technology and art.

A condition in which a person experiences hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking, often triggered by drug use.

The possibility that some individuals are more susceptible to developing psychosis when exposed to psychedelic drugs.

LSD was used to mimic delirium tremens, a severe withdrawal syndrome in alcoholism, hoping to prevent alcoholics from reaching this dangerous stage.

The acute psychoses that appear within 2-7 days of LSD use, often characterized by vivid hallucinations and altered perception, differ from those with no drug use.

The difficulty in attributing chronic psychosis to any single drug of abuse, due to the common use of multiple drugs.

A form of institutionalized care focusing on humane treatment and a supportive environment.

The rationale for combining LSD with psychotherapy and hypnosis in a study was to increase the structure and potential therapeutic benefit of LSD sessions.

Hypnosis was used to structure LSD sessions, enabling focused discussions on personal problems and post-hypnotic suggestions encouraging positive change.

The study found no significant differences in therapeutic outcomes between groups using LSD and those without, even after a year.

Dr. Stanislav Grof's research involved administering psychedelics to cancer patients, focusing on alleviating emotional and physical pain and promoting acceptance of death.

Psychedelic experiences can sometimes have long-lasting analgesic effects, reducing pain for weeks after the initial drug effects.

The Good Friday experiment investigated whether psychedelic experiences shared similarities with mystical experiences described by mystics.

The experiment involved giving psilocybin to participants before a Good Friday church service, aiming to replicate and analyze the effects on their religious experiences.

The experiment revealed statistically significant differences between psilocybin and placebo groups in several characteristics of mystical experiences.

The experiment showed that psychedelics can lead to experiences with qualities similar to mystical experiences, including a sense of oneness, ineffability, and profound personal meaning.

Mike Young's experience involved an intensification of colors, geometric patterns, and a feeling of being at the center of a circle, culminating in a realization of his potential.

Not all psychedelic experiences are pleasant, and some participants in studies have reported intense fear, anxiety, and dysphoria during their sessions.

The Johns Hopkins University experiment replicated the Good Friday experiment with psilocybin and a placebo, showing similar results with increased participant numbers and long-term follow-up.

The Johns Hopkins experiment showed that a significant portion of participants rated the psychedelic experience as highly meaningful and reported positive changes in their sense of wellbeing and life satisfaction.

While the majority of participants in the Johns Hopkins experiment had positive experiences, some reported negative experiences, including fear, anxiety, and a desire to never repeat the session.

The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 categorized many psychedelic drugs as Schedule I controlled substances, signifying a lack of accepted medical use and high potential for abuse.

A survey of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners in 1990 revealed that a significant percentage had previous experiences with psychedelic drugs, suggesting a potential connection between these substances and spiritual exploration.

A new wave of research on psychedelics emerged in the early 1990s, shifting the focus from their subjective experiences to their physiological and neurological effects, with the aim of exploring potential medical applications.

A psychedelic drug's effects can be influenced by the individual's expectations and the surrounding environment, highlighting the crucial role of context in drug experiences.

LSD is a potent psychedelic drug with effects starting at low doses and escalating with increased intake, producing a range of psychological and physiological changes.

Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, induces a psychedelic trip lasting several hours, with effects often characterized as more visual and less intense than LSD.

Mescaline, a psychedelic substance found in the peyote cactus, produces a prolonged trip accompanied by physiological arousal and a more sensual and stable experience compared to LSD.

DMT, a powerful psychedelic found naturally and synthesized, induces effects similar to LSD but with a rapid onset and a shorter duration, often leading to profound and otherworldly experiences.

Ayahuasca, a traditional Amazonian brew, combines the psychoactive properties of Banisteriopsis vines and DMT-containing plants, producing a powerful psychedelic experience.

The term tolerance refers to the body's adaptation to increased drug use requiring larger doses for the same effect. Tolerance development and cross-tolerance between psychedelics can impact drug interactions.

Psychedelics primarily act on serotonergic neural pathways, stimulating specific serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perception and consciousness.

Flashbacks, unintentional re-emergence of psychedelic experiences, can occur long after drug use and can be triggered by other substances or sensory cues.

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) encompasses a range of persistent perceptual distortions, including alterations in color perception, geometric patterns, and afterimages, that can continue for months or even years.

The potential connection between 5-HT2 receptor activation and the development of psychosis in schizophrenia has raised concerns about the potential risks of psychedelics.

The prolonged use of psychedelics can cause changes in dream patterns, making them more intense and visually rich, reflecting the altered perception and consciousness induced by these substances.