HL+Mind-Altering+Drugs

B.10 Mind-altering drugs (2h) B.10.1 Describe the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, psilocybin and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). B.10.2 Discuss the structural similarities and differences between LSD, mescaline and psilocybin.  Stress the similarity of all three drugs and compre them to the indole ring. B.10.3 Discuss the arguments for and against the legalization of cannabis.  Arguments for legalisation include the ability of cannabis to offer relief for certain disease. Arguments against  legalization include the possible harmful effects and the possibility of cannabis users moving on to harder drugs.

=Mind altering drugs =

 A mind altering drug is a psychoactive substance that can distort sensory experiences, cause hallucinations and alter moods.  The four most common mind altering drugs are lysergic acid diethylamide, mescaline, psilocybin and tetrahydrocannabinol.

 Reference # 1

Lysergic acid diethylamide
The actual drug created from lysergic acid diethylamide is called LSD and is also known as acid, doses, trips and sugar cubes among others. LSD is created from the fungus Ergot that grows on rye and other grains and which contains lysergic acid diethylamide. This drug is one of the strongest mood changing substances and is the most common hallucinogen used. · LSD is usually taken orally à it is found on “blotter paper” which is cut up into decorative pieces or “tabs”.   <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[|plainville.ma.us/lsd.htm&usg=__fm5t_tTrDnPyj3YnYivQPDNojR0=&h=458&w=600&sz=127&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=V9e9D1UE8pRMSM] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[|:&tbnh=148&tbnw=213&ei=MmQ0TdHiCsO88gb464DJCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlsd%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rlz%3D1C1SN] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[|NT_enUS348PE385%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D685%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=982&vpy=127&dur=1602&hovh=196&hov] <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[|w=257&tx=170&ty=108&oei=MmQ0TdHiCsO88gb464DJCA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0] ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Picture taken from: [|http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.police.plainville.ma.us/Drugs/lsd1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.police.]

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· It can also be taken in the liquid or gelatin form and is applied into the eyes.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Physical effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Dilated pupils and sleeplessness <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Loss of appetite and dry mouth <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Tremors and nausea <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Increase in body temperature, heart rate and blood pressure <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Profuse sweating and chills

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Short-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· The effects of LSD are unpredictable as they depend on the user’s personality, the surrounding it is taken in and the amount taken <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Judgment may be impaired <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Emotions change faster than physical signs when using LSD <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· A user may have many feelings at once and jump from one to the other <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· If taken in large enough doses, it is common for the user to experience delusions such as a “crossing over” of feelings and sensations, where the user seems to see sounds and hear colors. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· These sudden changes and new experiences are terrifying for users and cause feelings of despair and panic

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Long-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Due to its unpredictable nature, LSD affects each user differently in the long-run, yet it is common for users to have flashbacks or recurring thoughts about their experiences. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· These flashbacks occur suddenly and without warning up to a year of using LSD only once. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· There is a condition known as hallucinogen-induced persisting perceptual disorder (HPPD) which interferes with social and occupational functioning as recurring flashbacks cause the person distress <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· LSD is not an addictive drug such as heroine an cocaine but users can get emotionally addicted to it

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Reference # 2, 3, 4

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Mescaline
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Mescaline can be produced synthetically or is found in the spineless cactus, Lophophora williamsii, Peyote. The crown of the cactus has button shaped pieces which are cut from the root and either chewed or soaked in water to create the drug. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Mescaline is also known as buttons, cactus and mesc

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Physical effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Increased blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Nausea commonly occurs just before the desired mental effects <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Numbness, weakness and tremors <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Loss of appetite <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Diarrhea <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Tachycardia

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Short-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Differently than with LSD, mescaline does not create delusions, seeing as everything that the user perceives are intensified states of reality but not manifestations of non-present objects. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· These mescaline trips usually last 12 hours <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Some trips cause enjoyable feelings while others cause feelings of anxiety and terror

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Long-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Just like with LSD, flashbacks may occur after using mescaline only once <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Also the hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) can remain

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Reference # 2,5 ,6, 7

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Psilocybin
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound found in certain mushrooms. This drug is ingested by eating or brewing the mushrooms to create tea. With a similar structure to that of serotonin, psilocybin affects serotonin functioning in order to produce its effects. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> This drug is commonly known as shrooms, magic mushrooms and caps among other names

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Physical effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· These appear within 20 minutes of ingesting the drug and last for about 6 hours <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Among them à vomiting, nausea, muscle weakness and lack of coordination

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Short-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· From the three previously mentioned drugs, shrooms are the ones that cause the most mild effects <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Feelings are altered and the senses are distorted <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Just as the other two drugs, enjoyable emotions may arise, but also those of fear and panic of death

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Long-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Flashbacks and Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD)

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Reference # 2, 8

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Tetrahydrocannabinol
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main active ingredient found in marijuana, which is the most popular illegal drug in the world. Marijuana is made from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Most commonly ingested by rolling dried up leaves and flowers of the plant into a joint <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Can also be ingested by brewing it and putting it in foods such as “happy brownies” <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Marijuana is also known as pot, Mary Jane, weed, ganja, hash and dope

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Physical effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">


 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[] ||

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Short-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Stimulant <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Depressant <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Hallucinogenic or psychedelic properties <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Distorted perceptions <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Loss of motor coordination <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Increase of metabolism

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Long-term effects
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">· Marijuana contains the same cancer-related toxins that cigarettes contain and studies have shown that smoking 5 joints per week gives the user the same cancer odds as smoking one pack of cigarettes per day

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Reference # 9

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Structures
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The chemical structures of lysergic acid diethylamide, mescaline, and psilocybin are similar to those of natural neurotransmitters, especially serotonin. These hallucinogens function by temporarily binding to the neurotransmitters’ binding sites and disrupting the interaction of nerve cells. The serotonin system reigns over the brain and spinal cord and is in control of behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, which include hunger, mood, muscle control and sensory perception. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The three hallucinogens contain an indole-ring-like structure that is a 6-sided benzene ring with a fused 5-sided ring that contains nitrogen. They vary from serotonin because of the methyl groups attached to them, which enable them to penetrate the central nervous system easier. Psilocybin has a phosphoric acid group attached to it and for LSD and mescaline, although the structure is not specifically an indole-ring, it is based around that form. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Indole-ring or indole-ring-like structure is in red
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Serotonin || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Psilocybin || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">LSD || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Mescaline ||
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[[image:seroton.gif]] || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[[image:psilocy.gif]] || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[[image:lsd.gif]] || <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">[[image:mescalin.gif]] ||

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Reference # 10

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Legalization of cannabis
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The legalization of marijuana is a very controversial topic seeing as it has both positive and negative effects.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Positive
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Its anti-emetic properties inhibit vomiting and increase the appetite. These properties have many medical benefits and the four most important ones are related to cancer, AIDS and eating disorders. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Cancer à patients being treated with chemotherapy suffer weight reduction as a lot of vomiting occurs <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> AIDS à the medicine that prevents the virus from spreading induces nausea which means that before it is properly absorbed by the body it is regurgitated <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Eating disorders à as marijuana increases the metabolism it is used to help anorexic patients regain weight because of an increase in hunger <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Muscles à cannabis helps alleviate pain and muscle spasms related to multiple sclerosis and paraplegics

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Negative
<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> The main reason why marijuana is not legalized in most parts of the world is due to the Gateway Theory. Although marijuana is not a strongly addictive drug it is a drug that can lead the consumer to harder, more dangerous drugs. Also, another main reason for which marijuana is not legalized, is because although it has some positive effects, it is still a drug and its availability will not only make it easier for consumers to have it but it will also recruit new consumers.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> Reference # 11, 12

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">References
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