Hallucinogens: An update

Abstract

Research of hallucinogen abuse rarely extends beyond epidemiology and observed pathology. Even less research has been completed on the special circumstances surrounding the religious use of hallucinogens or on potential therapeutic applications. Rather than offer another basic review on the well-known hazards of illicit hallucinogen use, this paper provides an overview and practice recommendations on compounds the clinician may be less familiar with, such as the botanical plant Salvia divinorum, the drug 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy") and synthetic hallucinogen analogs. The often-warned, but rarely occurring, hazard of hallucinogen persisting perception disorder ("flashbacks") is also reviewed with treatment recommendations provided. The current status of clinical research with the hallucinogens is presented, with case vignettes suggesting hallucinogens may have anti-addictive applications. The special circumstances surrounding the religious, nondrug use of hallucinogens as sacred sacraments in the US and elsewhere are also presented. It is hoped that the reader will gain a more nuanced understanding of how these physiologically nonaddictive drugs may offer legitimate benefits in modern society. By appreciating that such benefits may one day be borne out by careful, methodologically sound research, clinicians should be better armed in raising the topic of hallucinogen use and abuse with their patients.

The psychotherapeutic potential of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine): an evidence-based review

“…The testimonies of psychotherapists who have used MDMA, and the experiences of some of their clients, can be extremely persuasive (Greer and Tolbert 1986;Doblin 2002;Grinspoon and Bakalar 1986;Holland 2001b;Liester et al 1992). Many review or commentary papers have noted that MDMA may have potential as a psychotherapeutic agent (Dumont and Verkes 2006;Halpern 2003;Iversen 2006;Nutt 2006;Parrott 2001;Saunders 1997). There are, however, several crucial issues which need to be addressed before it can be concluded that MDMA has an appropriate pharmacological profile for a therapeutic drug (Tables 1, 2, 3).…”

The hallucinogenic herb Salvia divinorum and its active ingredient salvinorin A reduce inflammation‐induced hypermotility in mice

“…Interestingly, in our experiments, both SDE and salvinorin A were not active after oral administration. This observation is intriguing in the light of the fact that Salvia divinorum was consumed by Mazatecs Indians of Oaxaca by chewing fresh leaves which made absorption of salvinorin A possible through the oral mucosa 19 …”

Culture, Psychosomatics and Substance Abuse: The Example of Body Image Drugs

“…In 430 B.C., for example, Herodotus documented the practice of the Persians to consider affairs of weight while drunk on alcohol; if they first made a decision while sober, they would later deliberately reconsider it under the influence of wine [64] . Conversely, many deeply spiritual traditional societies have long valued hallucinogenic plants -peyote, psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca or iboga -for their entheogenic effects [65][66][67] . One might speculate about countless other possible cultural influences.…”