Fantasy and the Fantasy and the Drug ExperienceDrug Experience

Were it not for the motion and color play Were it not for the motion and color play of the soul, man would suffocate and rot of the soul, man would suffocate and rot

away in his great passion, idleness.away in his great passion, idleness.-Carl G. Jung-Carl G. Jung

History of psychedelicsHistory of psychedelics

Psychedelic substances were introduced to Psychedelic substances were introduced to the Europeans by the Mexicans once the Europeans by the Mexicans once Cortes viewed the Aztec ceremonies using Cortes viewed the Aztec ceremonies using mushrooms (teonanactl- flesh of the gods)mushrooms (teonanactl- flesh of the gods)

Mescaline is the active ingredient in Mescaline is the active ingredient in Peyote cactusPeyote cactus

Psychedelic research began in 1897 Psychedelic research began in 1897 when mescaline was isolatedwhen mescaline was isolated

Albert HofmannAlbert Hofmann

Albert Hofmann isolated LSD from ergot (a fungus Albert Hofmann isolated LSD from ergot (a fungus on rye grass) when he accidentally ingested it on rye grass) when he accidentally ingested it through the skin and had the first recorded “trip”through the skin and had the first recorded “trip”– 20 years later he isolated psilocybin in mushrooms20 years later he isolated psilocybin in mushrooms– Finally he learned to produce LSD, a synthetic Finally he learned to produce LSD, a synthetic

hallucinogenhallucinogen– When he died recently (2008) he regretted that no When he died recently (2008) he regretted that no

research had found viable uses for the drugresearch had found viable uses for the drug Timothy Leary in the 1960s was a promoter Timothy Leary in the 1960s was a promoter

of LSD, believing this could elevate people of LSD, believing this could elevate people into a more spiritual orientation to life: into a more spiritual orientation to life: “Turn on, tune in, and drop out.”“Turn on, tune in, and drop out.”

ShamanismShamanism

These religions believed animals, These religions believed animals, plants held the Great Spirit. plants held the Great Spirit.

Hallucinogenic plants were thought Hallucinogenic plants were thought to expand the understanding of self to expand the understanding of self and God.and God.

Hallucinogens were Hallucinogens were first used in first used in animistic religions. animistic religions.

Peyote cactusPeyote cactus

MescalineMescaline is the active chemical in is the active chemical in peyote.peyote.

Native American Native American Church uses it in Church uses it in dried or green form dried or green form for ceremonies. for ceremonies.

MushroomsMushrooms

PsilocybinPsilocybin is the active is the active chemical in mushrooms.chemical in mushrooms.

Effects are similar to LSD.Effects are similar to LSD. Dosage makes the difference Dosage makes the difference

in effects.in effects. Useful in treatment of OCD.Useful in treatment of OCD.

Hallucinogens and the BrainHallucinogens and the Brain

Tryptamines (LSD, psilocybin)Tryptamines (LSD, psilocybin) Phenethylamines (mescaline, MDMA)Phenethylamines (mescaline, MDMA) Dissociative anesthetics (ketamine, PCP)Dissociative anesthetics (ketamine, PCP)

– Mescaline, psilocybin, LSD are similar to Mescaline, psilocybin, LSD are similar to serotoninserotonin

– They act on:They act on: the the cerebral cortex-cerebral cortex- critical to cognition, critical to cognition,

perception, moodperception, mood Locus coeruleus-Locus coeruleus- critical in panic attacks, critical in panic attacks,

agoraphobia, anxietyagoraphobia, anxiety

Consciousness results from interaction of Consciousness results from interaction of cortex, thalamus, & striatumcortex, thalamus, & striatum

LSDLSD

Forms of microdots or gelatin (window panes)Forms of microdots or gelatin (window panes) Most potent mood & perception altering drug Most potent mood & perception altering drug

knownknown– Most common effect is perceptual distortion- objects Most common effect is perceptual distortion- objects

merge, faces distort, sense of time is lost, identity is merge, faces distort, sense of time is lost, identity is alteredaltered

– Effects dependent on user’s mood before use- euphoric Effects dependent on user’s mood before use- euphoric to panickyto panicky

– Described as watching a theater in the mindDescribed as watching a theater in the mind– One part of psyche watches what the other part createsOne part of psyche watches what the other part creates

Effects last 6 – 12 hoursEffects last 6 – 12 hours Long term effects- tolerance to psilocybin/ Long term effects- tolerance to psilocybin/

mescaline, flashbacks, persistent mescaline, flashbacks, persistent psychosis, mood shifts, distortion of psychosis, mood shifts, distortion of reality, hallucinations, ability to think reality, hallucinations, ability to think rationallyrationally

Ram Dass & Timothy LearyRam Dass & Timothy LearyLSD gurus of the 1960sLSD gurus of the 1960s

LSDLSD

First popular in 1960sFirst popular in 1960s Does not produce physical dependencyDoes not produce physical dependency Trip is determined by mood and mental Trip is determined by mood and mental

setset Sensory perception changesSensory perception changes Mood swingsMood swings Detachment, depersonalizationDetachment, depersonalization Synesthia Synesthia Altered time perceptionAltered time perception

Side effects of LSDSide effects of LSD

Bad trips can be frightening, leading Bad trips can be frightening, leading the user to act violently, or the user to act violently, or self-destructivelyself-destructively

User can feel out of control or User can feel out of control or grandiosegrandiose

Extreme paranoiaExtreme paranoia Depression can drive suicideDepression can drive suicide Disrupts intuition so that products Disrupts intuition so that products

aren’t truly creativearen’t truly creative Mental confusion, distortionMental confusion, distortion Flashbacks for some time after useFlashbacks for some time after use

Dissociative DrugsDissociative Drugs

PCP and ketamine originally PCP and ketamine originally developed as surgical anestheticdeveloped as surgical anesthetic

Hallucinogenic as they bring about Hallucinogenic as they bring about detachment from reality, distortion of detachment from reality, distortion of space, body image- dissociations, not space, body image- dissociations, not true hallucinationstrue hallucinations

MDMA/ EcstasyMDMA/ Ecstasy

Club drugs-Club drugs- used to heighten stamina for used to heighten stamina for dancing and for sexual effectsdancing and for sexual effects

Acts as both Acts as both stimulant & hallucinogenstimulant & hallucinogen Increases heart rate & temperatureIncreases heart rate & temperature to to

point of heart/ kidney failurepoint of heart/ kidney failure Forces dehydrationForces dehydration & overdrinking & & overdrinking &

throws electrolytes out of balance, throws electrolytes out of balance, producing deathproducing death

Damages brain cellsDamages brain cells that produce that produce serotonin, resulting in memory loss & serotonin, resulting in memory loss & inability to learninability to learn

The hug drugThe hug drug

Ecstasy was first introduced in the 1970s Ecstasy was first introduced in the 1970s for therapy clients who were inhibited.for therapy clients who were inhibited.

E overstimulates serotonin to produce E overstimulates serotonin to produce euphoria, emotional trust, empathy.euphoria, emotional trust, empathy.

It leads users to act more overtly sexual.It leads users to act more overtly sexual. Users say the drug allows them to be Users say the drug allows them to be

themselves, without inhibitions of society.themselves, without inhibitions of society. Speed aspect allows them to dance all Speed aspect allows them to dance all

night, with no concern for their feet, pain, night, with no concern for their feet, pain, etc.etc.

PCPPCP Zombie, peace, angel dustZombie, peace, angel dust Alters receptor sites for glutamate which Alters receptor sites for glutamate which

affect pain perception, learning & memoryaffect pain perception, learning & memory PCP rush comes from dopamine dumped PCP rush comes from dopamine dumped

into the nucleus accumbens which lasts into the nucleus accumbens which lasts hours, even dayshours, even days

Even a year later there can be memory Even a year later there can be memory loss/ depressionloss/ depression

Effects on the body: elevated body Effects on the body: elevated body temperature, increased heart rate, blood temperature, increased heart rate, blood pressurepressure

KetamineKetamine

Special K, cat valium, used as a date rape Special K, cat valium, used as a date rape drug because of profound anesthesia and drug because of profound anesthesia and amnesia after useamnesia after use

Victims can’t remember who they left the Victims can’t remember who they left the bar with, whether they were assaultedbar with, whether they were assaulted

DextromethorphanDextromethorphan

Abuse can occur with extra Abuse can occur with extra strength cough syrupsstrength cough syrups

If dosage exceeds 4 oz. If dosage exceeds 4 oz. dextromethorphan, dissociative dextromethorphan, dissociative effects occureffects occur

Also contributes to unwitting Also contributes to unwitting addiction by users with addiction by users with sinus infections, etc.sinus infections, etc.

Benefits of hallucinogensBenefits of hallucinogens Ecstasy was originally used in therapy to Ecstasy was originally used in therapy to

facilitate reduction of inhibition, affection facilitate reduction of inhibition, affection between partnersbetween partners

With terminal cancer patients, LSD & With terminal cancer patients, LSD & therapy foster peace of mind and aid therapy foster peace of mind and aid development of spiritual beliefsdevelopment of spiritual beliefs

When facing death, people can no longer When facing death, people can no longer escape the idea of mortalityescape the idea of mortality

We will have to leave this life exactly as We will have to leave this life exactly as we entered it- with nothing or no onewe entered it- with nothing or no one

Letting go of bonds of attachment is Letting go of bonds of attachment is wrenchingwrenching

Facing Death can open up spiritual Facing Death can open up spiritual transcendencetranscendence

The brain is programmed for spiritual The brain is programmed for spiritual quest, but this is housed in the right side quest, but this is housed in the right side of the brain, generally overridden by the of the brain, generally overridden by the left rational brain.left rational brain.

Following left brain strokes, patients often Following left brain strokes, patients often feel oceanic, released from the concerns feel oceanic, released from the concerns of this world.of this world.

It requires therapy to re-install the rational It requires therapy to re-install the rational control & boundaries exerted by the left control & boundaries exerted by the left brain.brain.

In 1990 research with psychedelics In 1990 research with psychedelics was legalized againwas legalized again

In the 1950s military, intelligence research with In the 1950s military, intelligence research with LSD was unethical & exposed many people to LSD was unethical & exposed many people to risk, even death (remote viewing experiments)risk, even death (remote viewing experiments)

Today research focuses on cluster headaches, Today research focuses on cluster headaches, OCD, anxiety in cancer patients, PTSDOCD, anxiety in cancer patients, PTSD

Beneficial effects of psychedelics result from Beneficial effects of psychedelics result from downsizing serotonin receptors which reduces downsizing serotonin receptors which reduces perceptions of pain, opening up opportunities for perceptions of pain, opening up opportunities for insight, transference, enhanced symbolism, insight, transference, enhanced symbolism, heightened suggestibility, controlled regression, heightened suggestibility, controlled regression, integration between thoughts & emotions.integration between thoughts & emotions.