Phencyclidine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, and Mescaline: Cerebral Artery Spasms and Hallucinogenic Activity
Bella T. Altura, Burton M. Altura
Science May 29, 1981 DOI: 10.1126/science.7195070 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Experimental study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Isolated basilar and middle cerebral arteries |
| Interventions | Phencyclidine Lysergic acid diethylamide Mescaline Verapamil |
| Topics | LSD Mescaline |
| Keywords | Phencyclidine Hallucinogen Psychotomimetic Pharmacology Antagonist Cerebral arteries Anesthesia |
| Citations | 81 |
| Key findings | PCP, LSD, and mescaline produce cerebrovasospasm via distinct receptors, and verapamil reverses PCP-induced vasospasm. |
Abstract
Phencyclidine (PCP), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and mescaline produced potent contractile responses on isolated basilar and middle cerebral arteries, where, in terms of potency, LSD > mescaline > PCP. All three drugs produced cerebrovasospasm in a concentration range which parallels that needed for their psychotomimetic and intoxicating actions. Specific receptors for PCP, which subserve contraction and differ from those for LSD and mescaline, are found in cerebral arteries. Concentrations of PCP that produced near-maximum contractile responses on cerebral arteries were similar to those in the blood and brain of human subjects who had died from PCP overdoses. A specific calcium antagonist, verapamil, readily prevented (and reversed) PCP-induced vasospasm. This study provides direct evidence for PCP receptors in cerebral blood vessels, the biologic action of which can be reversed by a calcium antagonist; the clinical use of the latter could prove invaluable in treating PCP-intoxicated victims.
Comparable studies
Other experimental studies on mescaline, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enzymatic Formation of Psychotomimetic Metabolites from Normally Occurring Compounds Rabbit lung | 1961 | Experimental study | |
| PSYCHOTOMIMETICS, CLINICAL AND THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS: HARMINE, WIN-2299 AND NALLINE Schizophrenic patients | 1957 | Experimental study | |
| Acquired and Crossed Tolerance to Mescaline, LSD-25, and BOL-148 | 1959 | Experimental study | |
| Effects of Hallucinogenic and Tranquilizing Drugs on Serotonin Evoked Uterine Contractions. Uterus of spayed rat | 1956 | Experimental study | |
| Extraordinary Experiences during Cross-Modal Perception Human participants | 1976 | Experimental study | n = 9 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis Perceptual and Motor Skills December 1, 1983
- Cardiovascular effects and safety of classic psychedelics. Nature cardiovascular research February 1, 2025
- Clinical features and management of intoxication due to hallucinogenic drugs. Medical toxicology and adverse drug experience 1989