Introduction to the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelic drugs
Scott R. Walker, Glenn A. Pullella, Matthew Piggott, Peter J. Duggan
Australian Journal of Chemistry July 4, 2023 DOI: 10.1071/ch23050 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Mescaline Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Pharmacology |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | This Primer Review gives an overview of the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelics, covering their classes, history, and modes of action. |
Abstract
The science of psychedelics is an intriguing, multi-disciplinary field that has recently been the subject of heightened public interest. This has mainly resulted from publicity associated with a number of high-profile investigations into psychedelic-assisted therapy for a range of difficult-to-treat mental health conditions. With many psychedelic substances known, including natural, semi-synthetic and fully synthetic, and a rangeof receptors, enzymes and transporters implicated in their modes of action, although very interesting, the field can appear daunting to newcomers to the area. This Primer Review is designed to give an overview of the chemistry and pharmacology of psychedelics. It is hoped that it will provide a useful resource for science undergraduates, postgraduates and their instructors, and experienced scientists who require a comprehensive and up-to-date summary of the field. The Review begins with a summary of the important classes of psychedelics and then goes on to summarise the known history of their traditional human use, dating back to prehistoric times. Following that, important classes of psychedelics are examined in more detail, namely the ergolines, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), tryptamines like psilocybin and N,N-dimethyltryptamine, phenethylamines typified by mescaline and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), arylcyclohexylamines including ketamine and phenylcyclohexylpiperidine (PCP), and a group of naturally occurring drugs that do not belong to any of these three classes, examples being muscimol and salvinorin A. The contributions made by early pioneers like Albert Hofmann and Alexander Shulgin are briefly summarised. References to primary literature and more specialised reviews are provided throughout.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Hallucinogens and Serotonin 5-HT2A Receptor-Mediated Signaling Pathways | 2017 | Review | |
| Hallucinogens in Mental Health: Preclinical and Clinical Studies on LSD, Psilocybin, MDMA, and Ketamine | 2020 | Review | |
| Legal highs: staying on top of the flood of novel psychoactive substances | 2015 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The use of prodrugs as drugs of abuse Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Forensic Science March 19, 2024
- Synthesis of R- and S-MDMA via nucleophilic ring-opening of homochiral N-tosylaziridines Australian Journal of Chemistry July 11, 2023
- Psychedelic medicines Australian Journal of Chemistry July 16, 2023
- A theoretical investigation of DMT metabolism and the formation of apotential biomarker
Cites 82
- NMDAR inhibition-independent antidepressant actions of ketamine metabolites Nature April 24, 2016
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Salvinorin A: a potent naturally occurring nonnitrogenous kappa opioid selective agonist. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences September 3, 2002
- Evidence for 5-HT2 involvement in the mechanism of action of hallucinogenic agents. Life Sciences December 17, 1984
and 77 more in the library