medicinesmind-altering drugs

mind-altering drugs

lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD),

mescaline,

psilocybin

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (found in cannabis/marijuana)

Effects of LSD, mescaline, psilocybin

All three cause hallucinations (distortions in hearing and visual perception) i.e. hearing of voices and seeing of images which appear realistic but do not exist. This is because they disrupt the activity

of the brain transmitter serotonin which is involved in the processing of hearing and sight.

In addition, each hallucinogenic also causes their own effects.

differences

LSD mescaline psilocybin•Psychological dependence•Effects of LSD may be experienced a year or more later after last use i.e. “flashbacks”.

•Nausea•Trembling•Liver damage•Reduced appetite•insomnia

•Feelings of relaxation•Develop tolerance•Sense of well-being

similarities in structure

All three contain

benzene ring

amine group

similarities in structure

Indole Ring

LSD indole ring = a benzene ring to which is attached (fused) a five-membered ring with a nitrogen atom and a double carbon-carbon bond

amide

2 alkene - double bonds

2 amine groups: a secondary amine and a tertiary amine

psilocybin indole ring

secondary amine

has an ionic end/tertiary amine ion

a phosphate group

mescaline no indole ring

primary amine

ether

(3 groups)

effects of cannabis The active ingredient in cannabis is

tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and this has the following effects:

loss of sense of time

confusion

light-headedness

sense of floating

loss of inhibitions

euphoria

mental relaxation

tetrahydrocannabinol phenol group,

ether

double carbon-carbon bond

legalizeyes no

•no more or less damaging than other ‘legal’ drugs e.g. alcohol, tobacco

•offers pain relief from certain diseases such as AIDS and cancer

•relieves nausea in chemotherapy

•relieves tension and anxiety in terminally ill patients

•helps decrease pressure inside eyeball in patients suffering from glaucoma

•better control of quality of cannabis

•reduction of crime – police freed up to investigate other crimes

•Individual freedom argument

•reduces ability to drive

•causes dependence

•the possibility of cannabis users moving on to harder drugs – is a gateway drug

•harmful effects:Increased heart disease and cancer, may suppress immune system, respiratory ailments