The cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) is famous as the target of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the active ingredient of marijuana. Suppression of CB1 is frequently suggested as a drug target or gene therapy for many conditions (e.g., obesity, Parkinson's disease). However, brain networks affected by CB1 remain elusive, and unanticipated psychological effects in a clinical trial had dire...
3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic drug very similar to hallucinogens and stimulants. This drug is also called ecstasy or molly. It produces feelings of pleasure, warmth, distorted sensory time and perception. MDMA increases the activity of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. It causes various health effects such as nausea, sweating, chills, muscle...
AbstractBackground and aimsFirst responders such as firefighters and police officers often experience traumatic events as part of their work. As a result, they are more likely to have mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety compared to the general population. Psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as a promising avenue to alleviate these issues,...
Introduction Recently, the pros and cons have been debating in Korea even before the approval of use of medical marijuana with very strict limitations. And the next controversial topic is psychedelics. In 1890, when mescaline was first isolated from peyote cactus, clinical researches began, but due to its harmful effects, it was thereafter legally prohibited in 1970 in USA. However, a...
Traumatic events play a causal role in the etiology of stress-related psychopathologies such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Recent research highlighted the therapeutic potential of psychoactive substances in alleviating trauma symptoms among chronic stress-related patients. This study is the first to investigate the impact of psychoactive substances consumed during...
Psychedelics are mainly from the class of psychoactive substances whose action is to produce changes in the perception, mood, cognitive behavior, and processes of a person. This psychedelic drug creates an alteration in a person’s thinking, sense of time, and emotions. Hallucinations can be a main cause for people who take psychedelics. Mainly, these psychedelic drugs have been used since...
Cannabis sativa has a long history of medicinal use, dating back to ancient times. This plant produces cannabinoids, which are now known to interact with several human proteins, including Cys-loop receptors for glycine (GlyR) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAAR). As these channels are the primary mediators of inhibitory signals, they contribute to the diverse effects of cannabinoids on the...
Altered states of consciousness (ASCs) are surprisingly hard to define and to measure. Neither ‘subjective’ methods (like verbal reports) nor ‘objective’ measures (such as how the state is induced, or physiological and behavioural criteria) are entirely satisfactory. Attempts to map ASCs are reviewed, including two- or three-dimensional maps such as Tart&s;s and Laureys’, and Hobson&s;s AIM...
Psychoactive drugs exert profound effects on the central nervous system, influencing behavior and perception. Understanding these effects is crucial for both scientific research and clinical practice. This article provides an overview of the application of drug discrimination techniques in studying the subjective effects, pharmacological mechanisms, individual differences, and drug...
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, has been confirmed to induce anxiolytic-like and antipsychotic-like effects. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study substantiated CBD's interaction with the 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in vitro (CHO cells expressing human 5-HT1AR) and in vivo (rat lower lip retraction test, LLR test). We then...