Hallucinogen

A hallucinogen is a Chemical substance Psychotrope which induces Hallucination S, that is to say, with the usual amounts, of deteriorations of the Perception S, coherence of the Pensée and the regularity of the Humeur, but without persistent mental confusion or disorders of the memory. This state is called state modified of conscience by certain users; it can also be reached by the Spiritualité, the Méditation or through the Art.

The hallucinogens form a category in the majority of the Classification of psychotropic the. It follows that their characteristics different according to classification used. Because of the pace of their impact, they are also described and indicated like disturbing of the central nervous system . The effects of the hallucinogens are clearly different from the Stimulant S like the Cocaïne or the Amphétamines although they increase also vigilance or the activity.

The majority of the hallucinogens belong to families of particular chemical structure, able to act on specific sites of the Cerveau, often close to the Neurotransmetteur S or Inhibiteur S, similar to much of legally prescribed products. Thus they can change subjective qualities of the Perception, the Pensée or the emotion.

History

Historically, some of these substances know ancestral ritual uses of which some survived until our days via in particular the Chamanisme and certain worships. Their ritual uses are varied: object of worship, divinatoire, curative, ritual of passage, initiation, fright, communication with another world, ceremony with social function. It is with this type of use that addresses the term Enthéogène. There exist many evidence of the use of these substances in ancient civilizations and it is the appearance of the great religions monotheists which is responsible for the disappearance of these uses that they indicated like incarnating the evil .

In spite of their ancestral aspect, the modern Western company is truly interested in these substances only with the whole beginning of the 20th century and especially after the discovery of LSD and the Cultural revolution which was contemporary for him. These substances were then tested mainly with therapeutic aims in particular at the time of Psychothérapie S. Their use with military aims was also the object of research financed by official authorities as the CIA but never obtains the anticipated results.

Their growing popularity will lead to their prohibition and the majority of these substances are today illegal, even if certain exceptions persist for religious use.

Chemistry of the hallucinogens

The hallucinogens are primarily vegetable elements or Alcaloïde S which are extracted from it; and exceptionally substance products of synthesis of standard animal origin Venom.

It is possible to divide them into three groups:

  • the Phényléthylamine S, with the particularly varied effects, their classification is difficult according to this criterion. (contains for example Mescaline, Ecstasy);
  • the indolic derivatives :
    • derivatives of the Tryptamine (contains for example DMT, Psilocybine);
    • derivatives indolic with chain carbonyl (for example Harmaline contains);
    • amides of the Lysergic acid (contains for example LSD, Ibogaïne);
  • hallucinogens with various structures (for example Salvinorine contains has, THC).

Pharmacology of the hallucinogens

Like all Psychotropic, the hallucinogens deteriorates the Homéostasie central Nervous system while acting on the concentrations in Neuromédiateur S (Acétylcholine, Dopamine, Noradrénaline, Sérotonine).

The mechanisms are numerous and are still the object of work, but some were precisely identified. Thus, the salvinorine has Salvia divinorum acts only on the receivers opioïdes kappa. Other hallucinogens act as serotoninergic agonists of the receivers of 5-HT2 type.

Classification according to the effects

While sticking firstly to the paces of the hallucinations produced in connection with the mode of action, it was released three classes of hallucinogens: delirious , dissociative and psychedelic . Of course, the relationship of the chemical structures induced a proximity of the modes of action.

Delirious hallucinogens

The hallucinogens of this type are Anticholinergique S and their effects can be related with the Somnambulisme. The Alcaloïde S of the Datura S belong to this group.

They induce true Hallucination S and not only of the Illusion S, the side effects are in particular the Déshydratation and a dilation of the pupil (Mydriase).

They are highly Toxique S and present true risks of overdose.

Their pharmacological classification divide them into:

  • Tropanes
  • Antihistamine S
    • Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
    • Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
    • Cyclizine (Marezine or Marzine)

Dissociative hallucinogens

Many dissociative hallucinogens have an effect Dépresseur on the central Nervous system and can lead to the death by respiratory depression in the event of Surdose. The effects are generally marked by a feeling of decorporation (feeling to leave its body) and a analgesia.

Even if the effects of these substances vary slightly between them, for example, the majority do not produce a Hallucination S except the Protoxyde of nitrogen which induces auditive deformations and the Salvinorine has which produces visual hallucinations, auditive and sensory, they set up nevertheless a definitely distinct group.

pharmacological Classification:

  • Antagonistic of the receivers of NMDA (methyl-D-aspartic acid N) and ligands of sigma 1
  • Agonistes of the receiving opioïde kappa
    • Salvinorine has (vegetable origin), the active ingredient of the Salvia divinorum
  • Gaz
    • Protoxyde of nitrogen
  • Cholinergiques, active ingredients of some Champignons hallucinogens of which the Amanita muscaria , agonists of the receivers GABA-A
    • Muscimole (vegetable origin)
    • Acid ibotenic (vegetable origin)
    • Muscarine (vegetable origin).

Hallucinogens psychedelic

See also: Psychédélique

Psychotropic psychédélique does not induce a pharmacodépendance, but causes more or less important physiological disorders as is delirious it, the confusion or the amnesia and of the disorders of the mood, the thought and the perception which meet usually only in states like the dreams, mystical fright or the meditation.

It is a term also used with State-Plain to indicate the hallucinogens .

They are for the majority of the agonists of the receivers of Sérotonine standard 5-HT 2A.

; Pharmacological classification of the psychédéliques ones

Classification of the experiments hallucinogens

The experiment hallucinogen can be extrèmement variable according to nature, the proportioning of the product, the environment and the nature of the individual.

In the Années 1960 of classifications of these experiments were proposed.

  • a psychodysleptic is a Psychotrope which modifies the state of Conscience, mood, the mental activity as well as the contact with the outside world and which causes sometimes Hallucination s.
    Ce term is introduced in 1959 by Jean Delay and Pierre Deniker into their classification.
    Certains authors regards “psychodysleptic” as synonym of “hallucinogen”. However, “psychodysleptic” is a term more general than “hallucinogen”; it indicates any disturber of the central Nervous system. It can thus be a question of Solvant S, the alcohol, the derivatives of the Cannabis , and not only of the hallucinogens.
  • meaning Enthéogène “which generates the faith”, this term is especially used by the Ethnobotanique and must more be understood like a mode of use that as a potential effect. Indeed, the substances indicated under this name know a ritual use likely - from the recurrence of testimonys - to induce a mystical experiment. Certain authors prefer this term with that of hallucinogen and tend to gather the majority of these substances under this term, including those not knowing a ritual use.

    See also: Enthéogène

  • Empathogène and entactogene : these terms are Synonyme S perfect indicating a class with hallucinogens which cause a release of the Sérotonine and which are Phényléthylamine S. Their etymology S different however: Empathogène means “which generates the Empathie”, term creates in 1983 by Ralph Metzner; Entactogène means “which facilitates the contact”, term created in 1986 by David E. Nichols and Alexander Shulgin as alternate with empathogene which they reproached possible association with the root pathos .

Note

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