Hallucinogens, PCP, and Ketamine

 

Hallucinogenic Drugs

Mescaline

Psilocybin

Dimethyltryptamine and Related Tryptamines

LSD

Box 15.1 History of Pharmacology The Discovery of LSD

NBOMes

Salvinorin A

Pharmacology of Hallucinogenic Drugs

Different hallucinogenic drugs vary in potency and in their time course of action

Hallucinogens produce a complex set of psychological and physiological responses

Most hallucinogenic drugs share a common indoleamine or phenethylamine structure

Indoleamine and phenethylamine hallucinogens are 5-HT_2A receptor agonists

Salvinorin A is a κ-opioid receptor agonist

The neural mechanisms underlying hallucinogenesis are not yet fully understood

Hallucinogenic drug use leads to adverse effects in some users

Can hallucinogenic drugs be used therapeutically?

PCP and Ketamine

Background and History

Pharmacology of PCP and Ketamine

PCP and ketamine produce a state of dissociation

PCP and ketamine are noncompetitive antagonists of NMDA receptors

PCP and ketamine have significant abuse potential

Use of PCP, ketamine, or related drugs can cause a variety of adverse consequences

Box 15.2 Pharmacology In Action Getting High on Cough Syrup

Novel therapeutic applications have been proposed for ketamine