The Chemistry of Behavior
S. Marc Breedlove, Neil V. Watson
Behavioral Neuroscience February 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1093/hesc/9780197616857.003.0004 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the discovery of LSD illustrates how a pharmaceutical problem can emerge from accidental exposure to an experimental compound, and uses this case to explain synaptic neurochemistry, neurotransmitter receptors and subtypes, and how drug development leverages receptor complexity to produce specific effects. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the birth of a pharmaceutical problem, using the discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) by Albert Hofmann as an example. Hofmann, working for Sandoz Pharmaceuticals, was researching compounds derived from ergot when he accidentally ingested a small amount of an experimental compound and experienced intense visual phenomena. This led to the realization that the substance could have profound effects on brain function, even in minute doses. The chapter delves into neurochemistry and neuropharmacology, explaining the structure and function of synapses, as well as how neurotransmitter mechanisms impact the nervous system. It discusses how drugs can alter brain chemistry, focusing on neurotransmitter receptors and their subtypes, and how drug development leverages this complexity to produce specific effects.