Neurological aspects of hallucinogenic drugs
Logan, W.J.
Advances in Neurology 13: 47-78
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0091-3952 PMID: 814800 Document Number: 3230
Psychoactive drugs have considerable importance for clinicians and investigators in the neurosciences. Of particular interest, because of their widespread use and interest to investigators, are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and related drugs, the amphetamines, and cannabis (marijuana). These substances can be considered hallucinogens, for they all have that potential in varying degrees. Although they have received the most attention, they are just a fraction of the number of substances capable of producing hallucinations. Until the pathogenesis of hallucinations is known, or a definition of a hallucinogen is generally accepted, any classification of hallucinogens must be arbitrary. Nevertheless, some empirical or theoretical grouping is helpful for purposes of discussion, and may be of some heuristic value. LSD, amphetamines, and cannabis have different biologic characteristics. As disparate in action as LSD and amphetamine are, however, the LSD-related drugs appear to form a continuum, both in structure and action, between these two compounds. This spectrum ranges from compounds having a similar structure to the amphetamines (and norepinephrine) - such as mescaline (an active alkaloid in peyote) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4methylamphetamine (DOM, STP)-to dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and psilocybin, which have an indole ring similar to LSD (and serotonin). Furthermore, agents such as mescaline, psilocybin, and LSD not only have similar clinical effects but also have cross-tolerance with each other. There is, however, no cross-tolerance between LSD, amphetamine, or cannabis. The clinical and biological effects of LSD and related compounds, amphetamines, and cannabis, therefore, will be considered separately.
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