Hallucinogenic Plants

Professor Suleiman Olimat

What is addictionWhat is addiction??

(Latin) (Latin) addictusaddictus---attached to something, ---attached to something, positive. Today alcoholism called a “brain positive. Today alcoholism called a “brain disease”or bad habit or sin. Leading disease”or bad habit or sin. Leading assumption of the text: Addiction is the assumption of the text: Addiction is the key, not the substance or behaviorkey, not the substance or behavior

Addiction defined by researchers as “a bad Addiction defined by researchers as “a bad habit,” “a brain disease,” “helplessness,” habit,” “a brain disease,” “helplessness,” “a problem of motivation”“a problem of motivation”

Definitions

Addiction—pattern of compulsive use.

Has physical, psychological, social aspects.

Emphasis on process rather than outcome.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental

Disorders (DSM (

Changes to DSM in new edition: no longer dichotomy Changes to DSM in new edition: no longer dichotomy between abuse and dependencebetween abuse and dependence

Addiction now the preferred term instead of Addiction now the preferred term instead of dependence.dependence.

Addiction now seen as a continuum.Addiction now seen as a continuum.

Substance use disorder Substance use disorder requires 2 of following:requires 2 of following: tolerancetolerance inability to stopinability to stop withdrawal problemswithdrawal problems excessive spending or effortexcessive spending or effort use more than intendeduse more than intended to obtain to obtain reduced involvementreduced involvement continued use continued use

The question is often asked: Why would anyone addict to drugs?

Research has shown that people generally take drugs to either feel good (i.e., sensation seekers, or anyone wanting to experiment with feeling high or feeling different) or to feel better (i.e., self-medicators, or individuals who take drugs in an attempt to cope with difficult problems or situations, including stress, trauma, and/or to lessen anxiety, fears, depression, or hopelessness).

Why people taking Drugs?

Why Do People Take Drugs in The First Place?They like what it does to their brains

To Feel Good To Feel Better

Image courtesy: Vivian Felsen

From being an addict to being a poet.

Stimulant

• A stimulant is a drug which increases the activity of the sympathetic nervous system and produces a sense of euphoria or awakeness. Stimulants can be used as recreational drugs, or therapeutically to increase alertness. They are also used and sometimes abused to boost endurance and productivity as well as to suppress appetite.

Dependence

Physical Dependence: Withdrawal of drug produces physical symptoms. Body needs the drug for normal physiological function

Psychological Dependence: Cravings for a drug, overcome by the desire to have a drug.

Central Nervous System

The brain and spinal column

The body’s control system…also responsible for sensory perception, thought, mood, memory, etc.

Synapses within the CNS rely on a number of different neurotransmitters

CNS Neurotranmitters

• Catecholamines (norepinephrine, epinephrine, dopamine)

• Acetylcholine• Tryptamines (serotonin)• GABA (= ϒ-aminobutyric acid)• Endorphins• Cannabinoids• Histimine• Glutamate• Glycine

Norepinephrine

primary catecholamine, released from the adrenal medulla and postganglionic sympathetic neurons

removed from synapses through re-uptake

metabolized in the presynaptic terminal by endogenous monoamine oxidase (MAO) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT)

Norepinephrine

Drugs that increase norepinephrine concentrations in CNS synapses can be used to treat depression

Norepinephrine antagonists can be used to treat psychosis and mania

Dopamine is associated with

A. Learning

B. Hunger

C. Stress

D. Pleasure

Norepinephrine Enhancer: Cocaine

from Erythroxylum cocablocks nerve terminal membrane transport

system, preventing re-uptake of norepinephrine (and other catecholamines)

results in an accumulation of norepinephrine at receptors

Cocaine initially

Decreases the amount of dopamine present in a synapse.

Destroys the receptors on a post-synaptic neuron.

Dissolves the plasma membrane of neurons in the brain.

Increases the amount of dopamine present in a synapse.

Neuron Animation:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/closetohome/animation/neuron-main.html

How Cocaine Works animation:

http://

•www.pbs.org/wnet/closetohome/animation/coca-anim-main.html

Norepinephrine Enhancer: Peganum harmala

Peganum harmala

One of the active compounds in harmal is harmaline

Harmaline is used as a sedative and to treat depression

Mechanism of action: Harmaline inhibits MAO-A, which leads to an increased availability of neurotransmitters (norepinephrine, serotonin)

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a medicinal tea prepared from

Banisteriopsis Caapi, a jungle vine,

found in the tropical regions

of South America.

Ayahuasca has a rich legacy

of associated traditions,

myths and therapies.

B. caapi

Chemistry

• Beta-Carboline alkaloids as in

• Peganum harmala

Effect

People who have consumed ayahuasca report having spiritual revelations regarding their purpose on earth, the true nature of the universe as well as deep insight into how to be the best person they possibly can, His viewed by many as a spiritual awakening and what is often described as a rebirth.  In addition, it is often reported that individuals can gain access to higher spiritual dimensions and make contact with various spiritual or extra dimensional beings who can act as guides or healers.