IE 116 1st Edition Lecture 22Outline of Last Lecture PoisonI. For Huntinga. As a toolb. InsecticidesII. As A Murder WeaponIII. Accidental PoisoningsOutline of Current Lecture Psychoactive plants and ShamanismI. Types of substancesa. Depressantsb. Stimulantsc. Hallucinogensd. DeliriumsII. Why be psychoactive?III. ShamanismIV. Role in HistoryCurrent LectureI. Types of Psychoactive substancesDefinition: those which contain chemicals that have an effect on the user’s consciousness or mental state. Basically: They inhibit (Antagonist) or mimic (agonist) the behavior of neurotransmitters. EX: Coffee, teaa. Depressants- Reduces activity of the central nervous system- Start out calm and good, then usually sleep, then depressant.- Temporary, and move through body.o Unfortunately addictiveo Alcohol, Opium, Kavab. Stimulants- Increase activity of central nervous system- Alert, awake, energetic- Increase heart rate, blood pressure, don’t eat or sleep as much.- CRASHo Cocaine, caffeine, ephedrinec. Hallucinogens- Alter perception, mood, or thoughts. WITHOUT disturbing autonomic nervous system.- Not fragmented reality, but fully conscious and embrace a dream-like world.o Most drugs that are labeled hallucinogens do not actually cause the hallucination.o True Hallucinogens modify the experience of something that is not there. “Delirium”d. Deliriums- True hallucinogens- Usually produces a very unpleasant experienceo Poisonous plantsII. Why be psychoactive?a. Secondary plant metabolites that may kill or leave a lasting impression on potential herbivores.- Very effective deterrent- Nervous system is a good target for defense- Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that relay, amplify, and modulate signals between two neurons.b. Many hallucinogenic drugs are similar to serotonin.- Neurotoxins are effective in very small dosesAgonist- produces an action (mimic)Antagonist - (inhibitor) blocks the action of an agonist- Plants don’t have nervous systems, thus no autotoxicityIII. Shamanism and Healing- Many cultures attribute disease to the action of the spirit world.- Hallucinogens were a way for the shamans to contact this spirit world and ask for intervention.- Ritualistic use is accompanied by purification ceremonies.- Entheogen: a psychoactive substance used in a religious, healing, or spiritualistic context.- “Allows God to be in you”o Marsh Chapel Experiment – Dr. Timothy Learyo Prior to Good Friday, double blind, half received Psilocybin, other got something that made them seem hot and sweaty called Niacin.o Goal was to see if it would enhance the religious experience. Indeed can open the doors to perceptionIV. Role of psychoactive plants in history- China, Greece, NA used deliriumo Dature: deadly night shade familyo Atropine and Scopolamine- Central Americao Peyote: Cactuso Legal use within Native American practices.o Hallucinogenic- South Americao San Pedro Cactio Hallucinogen cactuso Mescaline and other alkaloids- Africao Tabernanthe/Ibogao Stimulant/hallucinogeno Ibogaine- Asia (Siberia)o Amanita Muscariao Mushroomo Ibotenic Acid and Muscimol: 5 times more potento “God Drink” Vary from person to person.o Vivid dreams and
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