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A New Psychotropic Agent

A New Psychotropic Agent Abstract PSYCHEDELIC drugs include a number of compounds of widely varying chemical structures which produce, however, similar subjective effects. The spectrum of the psychedelic syndrome embraces mood changes, alterations in body image, central sympathetic stimulation, changes in thought processes, perceptual distortions, and hallucinations, and is essentially the same for drugs of lysergic acid, tryptamine, and mescaline classes. The possibility that these similar effects result from interaction of these drugs on a common receptor site is supported by the existence of cross-tolerance among psychedelic drugs of different structures1,2 and by similarities of their molecular conformation3 and electronic configuration.4,5 An important therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs has been as facilitators of psychotherapy. In this "psycholytic" usage the facet of drug action applied is its capacity to enhance self-awareness and permit new insight. The failure of this type of therapy References 1. Balestrieri, A., and Fontanari, D.: Acquired and Crossed Tolerance to Mescaline, LSD-25, and BOL-148 , Arch Gen Psychiat 1:279-282 ( (Sept) ) 1959.Crossref 2. Isbell, H., et al: Cross Tolerance Between LSD and Psylocybin , Psychopharmacologia 2:147-159, 1961.Crossref 3. Snyder, S.H., and Richelson, E.: Psychedelic Drugs: Steric Factors Predicting Psychotropic Activity , Proc Nat Acad Sci 60:206-213, 1968.Crossref 4. Snyder, S.H., and Merril, C.R.: A Relationship Between the Hallucinogenic Activity of Drugs and Their Electronic Configuration , Proc Nat Acad Sci 54:258-266, 1965.Crossref 5. Snyder, S.H., and Merril, C.R.: " A Quantum Chemical Correlate of Hallucinogenesis ," in Himwich, H., and Smythies, J.R. (eds.): Amine Metabolism in Schizophrenia , New York: Pergamon Press, 1966, p 227. 6. Abramson, H.A.: The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy and Alcoholism , Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merril Company, Inc., 1967. 7. Shulgin, A.T.: Psychotomimetic Amphetamines: Methoxy 3,4-Dialkoxy-Amphetamines , Experientia 20:1-4, 1964.Crossref 8. Snyder, S.H.; Faillace, L.; and Hollister, L.: 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine (STP): A New Hallucinogenic Drug , Science 158:669-670, 1967.Crossref 9. McGraw, R.B., and Oliver, J.F.: " Miscellaneous Therapies ," in Arieti, S. (ed.): American Handbook of Psychiatry, New York: Basic Books, Inc., Publishers, 1959, pp 1552-1582. 10. Katz, M.M.; Waskow, I.E.; and Olsson, J.: Characterizing the Psychological State Produced by LSD , J Abnorm Psychol 73:1-14, 1968.Crossref 11. McNamara, Q.: Psychological Statistics , New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1955, p 110. 12. Jarvik, M.E.: " The Behavioral Effects of Psychotogens ," in DeBold, R.C., and Leaf, R.C. (eds.): LSD, Man and Society , Middleton, Conn: Wesleyan University Press, 1967, pp 186-206. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Archives of General Psychiatry American Medical Association

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References (14)

Publisher
American Medical Association
Copyright
Copyright © 1969 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN
0003-990X
eISSN
1598-3636
DOI
10.1001/archpsyc.1969.01740190097014
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Abstract PSYCHEDELIC drugs include a number of compounds of widely varying chemical structures which produce, however, similar subjective effects. The spectrum of the psychedelic syndrome embraces mood changes, alterations in body image, central sympathetic stimulation, changes in thought processes, perceptual distortions, and hallucinations, and is essentially the same for drugs of lysergic acid, tryptamine, and mescaline classes. The possibility that these similar effects result from interaction of these drugs on a common receptor site is supported by the existence of cross-tolerance among psychedelic drugs of different structures1,2 and by similarities of their molecular conformation3 and electronic configuration.4,5 An important therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs has been as facilitators of psychotherapy. In this "psycholytic" usage the facet of drug action applied is its capacity to enhance self-awareness and permit new insight. The failure of this type of therapy References 1. Balestrieri, A., and Fontanari, D.: Acquired and Crossed Tolerance to Mescaline, LSD-25, and BOL-148 , Arch Gen Psychiat 1:279-282 ( (Sept) ) 1959.Crossref 2. Isbell, H., et al: Cross Tolerance Between LSD and Psylocybin , Psychopharmacologia 2:147-159, 1961.Crossref 3. Snyder, S.H., and Richelson, E.: Psychedelic Drugs: Steric Factors Predicting Psychotropic Activity , Proc Nat Acad Sci 60:206-213, 1968.Crossref 4. Snyder, S.H., and Merril, C.R.: A Relationship Between the Hallucinogenic Activity of Drugs and Their Electronic Configuration , Proc Nat Acad Sci 54:258-266, 1965.Crossref 5. Snyder, S.H., and Merril, C.R.: " A Quantum Chemical Correlate of Hallucinogenesis ," in Himwich, H., and Smythies, J.R. (eds.): Amine Metabolism in Schizophrenia , New York: Pergamon Press, 1966, p 227. 6. Abramson, H.A.: The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy and Alcoholism , Indianapolis: Bobbs-Merril Company, Inc., 1967. 7. Shulgin, A.T.: Psychotomimetic Amphetamines: Methoxy 3,4-Dialkoxy-Amphetamines , Experientia 20:1-4, 1964.Crossref 8. Snyder, S.H.; Faillace, L.; and Hollister, L.: 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-Methylamphetamine (STP): A New Hallucinogenic Drug , Science 158:669-670, 1967.Crossref 9. McGraw, R.B., and Oliver, J.F.: " Miscellaneous Therapies ," in Arieti, S. (ed.): American Handbook of Psychiatry, New York: Basic Books, Inc., Publishers, 1959, pp 1552-1582. 10. Katz, M.M.; Waskow, I.E.; and Olsson, J.: Characterizing the Psychological State Produced by LSD , J Abnorm Psychol 73:1-14, 1968.Crossref 11. McNamara, Q.: Psychological Statistics , New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1955, p 110. 12. Jarvik, M.E.: " The Behavioral Effects of Psychotogens ," in DeBold, R.C., and Leaf, R.C. (eds.): LSD, Man and Society , Middleton, Conn: Wesleyan University Press, 1967, pp 186-206.

Journal

Archives of General PsychiatryAmerican Medical Association

Published: Jul 1, 1969

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