Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2015
Maayan Nagar, Sharon Rabinovitz
Reminders of death increase cannabis craving in frequent users, and smoking cannabis appears to block death-related thoughts from entering consciousness. In one experiment, 42 frequent cannabis users who were reminded of their mortality reported greater cannabis craving without any change in negative mood. In a second field study, 50 frequent users who smoked cannabis after a mortality reminder showed reduced accessibility of death-related words, suggesting the drug acts as a psychological buffer against death anxiety. The findings imply that existential concerns may drive cannabis use and that terror management theory could inform communication about health risks and medical cannabis for terminally ill patients.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2015
George Pringle, Michael P McDonald, Kara I Gabriel
Dextromethorphan (DXM), a widely available cough suppressant, produces euphoric and dissociative effects at high doses. An analysis of survey responses from 52 adult members of an online DXM community (9 female, 43 male, aged 18–63) found that most first learned about DXM online or from a friend, preferred to use it alone, and often combined it with other substances to modify its effects. Nearly all reported using DXM for its dissociative and mind-altering properties, perceived it as safe, and saw no need for further regulation; only 14% mentioned its addictive potential. The findings depict a sophisticated subculture where users deliberately seek altered mental states.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2015
Marie Claire Van Hout, Evelyn Hearne
Methoxphenidine (MXP), an NMDA antagonist marketed in 2013 as a legal replacement for methoxetamine (MXE), diphenidine, and ketamine, produces a dissociative and stimulant wave that can last for days. Analysis of seven self-reported experiences and 28 thread discussions from public Internet fora, using the Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method, identified five themes and 61 categories. Acute side-effects include hypertension and seizures; chronic effects include long-term memory loss and limb numbness. A sense of empowerment occurs in the afterglow. Internet drug fora facilitate information exchange, informed consumerism, and indigenous harm reduction, supporting pre- and post-purchase decision making.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2014
George Greer, Charles S. Grob, Adam L. Halberstadt
Greater than 75% reduction in Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) symptom scores was reported when patients were using cannabis compared to when they were not, based on a retrospective chart review of 80 patients applying to the New Mexico Medical Cannabis Program from 2009 to 2011. Cannabis is associated with reductions in PTSD symptoms in some patients, and prospective, placebo-controlled study is needed to determine efficacy.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2007
Mohamed Ben Amar, Stéphane Potvin
Cannabis consumption appears to increase the risk of psychotic symptoms, but whether it causes psychosis remains uncertain. A review of ten epidemiological studies found that three supported a causal link between cannabis use and diagnosed psychosis, five suggested chronic use increases psychotic symptoms without leading to diagnosed psychosis, and two found no causal relationship. Heavy consumption, prolonged use, early exposure, and underlying psychotic vulnerability may contribute. Potential neurobiological mechanisms involve dopamine, endocannabinoids, and brain growth factors. Uncertainty persists due to challenges in measuring cannabis use and psychosis, possible reverse causality, and residual confounding factors.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 1, 2006
Eliana Rodrigues, E A Carlini
Two ethnobotanical surveys among the Krahô Indians of Tocantins State and Quilombola descendants of former slaves in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, documented 169 plants used in ritual healing ceremonies for central nervous system ailments. These plants were prepared in 345 prescriptions for 68 conditions classified as tonics, analgesics, anorectics, hallucinogens, and anxiolytics. The work discusses the taxonomic families of the plants, common therapeutic indications, and types of healing rituals.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
September 1, 2006
Arthur Hastings
Hypnotic suggestion can produce a subjective mind-body state similar to that induced by MDMA (Ecstasy). Twelve participants who had previously used MDMA received posthypnotic instructions to re-experience an MDMA-like state for one hour. Self-report measures and qualitative reports indicated the posthypnotic condition effectively mimicked an MDMA-like experience, lasting at a stable level for an hour. Participant ratings of similarity to a drug-induced experience ranged from 36% to 100%. Scores on the Tellegen Absorption Scale correlated significantly with the strength of the posthypnotic condition (Spearman rho .87). Participants successfully engaged in intentional activities during this time, such as self-reflection and walking in nature.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
December 1, 2005
Diana S Amodia, Carol Cano, Michele J Eliason
An integral approach to substance abuse expands the biopsychosocial model by incorporating biological, social, cultural, spiritual, and developmental dimensions. The framework adapts Ken Wilber's four-quadrant perspective and draws on integrative medicine and transpersonal psychology to address addiction's complexity. It offers a cross-cultural view of spirituality as a component of etiology and treatment, aiming for more comprehensive care. The article presents this theoretical model and explores its implications for the field.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2005
J C Callaway, Glacus S. Brito, Edison S. Neves
Phytochemical analyses of 32 Banisteriopsis caapi and 36 Psychotria viridis samples collected from 22 sites across Brazil revealed wide variation in alkaloid content. All B. caapi samples contained harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine (THH). Some P. viridis samples had little or no detectable N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Leaves from one P. viridis plant analyzed over a 24-hour cycle also showed DMT variation.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
June 1, 2005
J C Callaway
Decoctions of Banisteriopsis caapi, often combined with Psychotria viridis, show considerable variation in alkaloid profiles both within and between sources. N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) was not detected in all samples. Tetrahydroharmine may be formed from harmine and harmaline during preparation. One decoction's alkaloid composition remained stable after 80 days at room temperature, but its acidic pH was neutralized by natural fermentation after 50 days.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 2001
K A Dawson
A case report describes a person under the influence of LSD who experienced an apparent movement of consciousness to the lunar surface and remote viewing of the Milky Way galaxy. While the possibility of veridical remote viewing is considered unlikely, the authors speculate that LSD's neurocognitive action can sensitize users to focused bright light, associated memories, and creative elaborations during actual eclipse events. The report aims to provide impetus for further research into psychedelics' distortion of time and space perceptions, and urges experimenters to adopt precautions against potentially detrimental effects of pharmacologically manipulating the space-time continuum.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 1998
P L Delgado, F A Moreno
The serotonin system is involved in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Blocking serotonin reuptake is an initial step in how antiobsessional drugs work, but improvement can take eight to 12 weeks, and most patients do not fully recover. Recent data suggest that activating 5-HT2A and/or 5-HT2C receptors may be important for symptom improvement. Psychedelic drugs potently activate these receptors, and their binding potency correlates with hallucinogenic potency. This review of clinical and preclinical studies suggests that hallucinogens may acutely reduce OCD symptoms and possibly have longer-lasting beneficial effects. The authors conclude that controlled trials of potent 5-HT2 agonists in people with OCD are warranted.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
January 1, 1996
P J Dalgarno, D Shewan
Twenty illicit ketamine users in Scotland, who had used a wide range of illegal drugs, were interviewed. Ketamine was usually obtained through diversion from legitimate sources. A standard dose was typically 1/8 gram, taken intranasally, producing an intense, dissociative experience lasting about one hour. Three participants reported extensive use, indicating potential for psychological dependence. All participants used ketamine in carefully preplanned settings emphasizing comfort and security. They identified problems from using the drug in public or unfamiliar surroundings and noted that novice users may lack knowledge about the intensity of the experience. Accurate information about ketamine's effects and the importance of set and setting should be made available, but publicizing the drug should be avoided.