Author: Simone Maimon
Editors: Hwi-on Lee, Yueshan Yu
Artist: Lalita Ma
LSD, Psilocybin, and THC—what do they all have in common? These substances are all classified as hallucinogenic drugs, which initiate a “trip, ” also known as a hallucination. These drugs are not modern inventions; in fact, we have known about some for thousands of years, as many naturally occurring compounds can act as psychedelics. Hallucinogenic plants were incorporated into ancient traditions because the chemicals in these plants triggered unique experiences for whoever took them: hallucination, emotional amplification, and dissociation are some examples. Nowadays, most hallucinogenic drugs have legal restrictions placed on them; however, they still remain prevalent in today's society. This is especially true in areas that legalize drugs like marijuana, where there are many smokers. A part of this popularity comes from the fact that these experiences are mostly unachievable through alternative methods, which can easily create an addiction that is hard to break from. But what are these drugs, and how do they work?
There are big distinctions between the different psychedelic drugs, which alter how they work. The chemicals that cause the hallucinogenic effect can be found in raw plant material, derived from plants, or can be entirely synthetic. The oldest psychedelic compounds are all naturally derived from plants around the globe. This category of drugs includes DMT, found in certain Amazon plants; psilocybin, found in mushrooms; as well as Salvia and Peyote, found across the Americas. People would chew or make teas with these plants to extract the compounds which cause the psychedelic effect. On the other hand, certain chemicals must undergo processing or isolation before they become hallucinogenic. This includes ketamines, which were made in 1962 to be used medically as an anesthetic. However, if taken recreationally, they can cause an out-of-body experience.
These drugs primarily affect one's brain function. Our brain contains about 86 billion cells, or neurons, that communicate by sending signals known as neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are molecules that attach to a receptor in another neuron to transmit information. After a while, the neurotransmitter detaches from the receptor, so that that cell can receive new information. One neurotransmitter is called serotonin, which regulates sleep, mood, hunger, and other bodily responses. Chemicals in hallucinogenic drugs act like serotonin, binding to the serotonin 2A receptor in a neuron, thus sending false signals to the target neuron. Cells that have serotonin 2A receptors are found in the center of the brain, playing an important role in managing signals from each brain region. This means that a small alteration causes a massive change in our brain’s perception, causing the hallucinogenic effect.
Usually, our brain’s microglia and cerebrospinal fluid create the blood-brain barrier, filtering the brain area from any unwanted substances. Therefore, regular chemicals from the food we ingest don’t usually get into our neurons. However, this also means that each neuron doesn’t actively target unwanted chemicals in the cell. This means that the chemical will stay in the brain until it gets recycled back into the bloodstream. Depending on the affinity of the chemical, or how long it takes for it to detach from a receptor, the drug's effect can vary in length. For example, lysergic acid, or LSD, has a high affinity for serotonin 2A receptors and thus affects brain function for a longer period of time.
Drug research was a huge area of research back in the 1960s. Afterwards, however, it was deemed unethical to distribute hallucinogenic drugs as there was evidence it caused long-term brain damage. Nowadays, scientists have been reviving psychedelic drug research in order to study its effects on the brain. This may lead to new discoveries about how different areas of the brain function. Additionally, psychedelic drugs have the possibility to be a method to treat disorders like depression or OCD. The current research is limited because of the current ethical restrictions, however, the possibility of using hallucinogenic drugs as a medical tool is promising to the scientific community.
Citations:
“Hallucinogens.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic medical, 1 May 2024,
my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/6734-hallucinogens-lsd-peyote-psilocybin-and-
pcp.
“How Do Hallucinogens Work on the Brain?” BPS, The British Psychological Society, 19 Jan.
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