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Tanaka R, Kawamura M, Mizutani S, Kikura-Hanajiri R. Characterization of the lysergic acid diethylamide analog, 1-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-N,N-diethyllysergamide (1T-LSD) from a blotter product. Drug Test Anal 2024; 16:482-488. [PMID: 37605503 DOI: 10.1002/dta.3565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Recently, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) analogs have appeared worldwide as designer drugs. In this study, we identified a distributed LSD analog from a paper-sheet product. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatography-photodiode array-mass spectrometry (LC-PDA-MS), and liquid chromatography with hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) were used to analyze the sheet product. The sheet product claimed to contain 1-(1,2-dimethylcyclobutanoyl)-N,N-diethyllysergamide (1D-LSD). However, an unknown compound was detected in the product together with tryptamine and L-tryptophan methyl ester. This compound was isolated from the sheets and identified as 1-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-N,N-diethyl-6-methyl-9,10-didehydroergoline-8β-carboxamide (1-thiophenoyl LSD; 1-(2-thienoyl)-LSD, 1T-LSD), using 1H, 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and various two-dimensional NMR techniques. 1T-LSD was shown to have the thiophene-2-carbonyl group at the N1 position instead of the 1,2-dimethylcyclobutane-carbonyl group as claimed. The amount of 1T-LSD (free base) in three individual unit from one sheet was determined to be 87-100 μg per unit using a proton-specific quantitative NMR (1H-qNMR) method. Deacylation of 1T-LSD to LSD was also observed to occur in methanol-d4 during NMR analysis. The UV spectrum of 1T-LSD differed from that of other LSD analogs, and the fluorescence sensitivity was much lower. Because of concerns about the future distribution of products containing new LSD analogs, continued monitoring of newly detected compounds in sheet products is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rie Tanaka
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Narcotics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Maiko Kawamura
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Narcotics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Sakumi Mizutani
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Narcotics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ruri Kikura-Hanajiri
- Division of Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Narcotics, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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Robinson CL, Fonseca ACG, Diejomaoh EM, D’Souza RS, Schatman ME, Orhurhu V, Emerick T. Scoping Review: The Role of Psychedelics in the Management of Chronic Pain. J Pain Res 2024; 17:965-973. [PMID: 38496341 PMCID: PMC10941794 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s439348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Amid a lack of effective chronic pain treatments, psychedelics have gained attention as a potential solution, although their Schedule 1 classification poses challenges. Psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, have gained popularity as alternatives and adjuncts for chronic pain treatment. Studies suggest that they may modulate pain processing through agonism primarily at the serotonin receptor, 5-HT2A. One of the first of its nature, we present an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered scoping review primarily focusing on evaluating psychedelics for chronic pain conditions such as cluster headache, phantom limb pain, and fibromyalgia. Methods In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, we used an AI-powered comprehensive search strategy utilizing the ChatGPT4.0 Bing chat to search Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Google Scholar for articles addressing chronic pain. The query was performed on June 1, 2023, focusing on psychedelics for chronic, non-cancer pain including headache disorders. Inclusion criteria were English-only, peer-reviewed articles involving human participants >18 years, focusing on chronic pain conditions (eg, phantom limb pain and cluster headache), using LSD, 2.5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine (2C-B), N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), psilocybin, or mescaline. Exclusion criteria were reviews, editorials, and opinion articles and studies focusing on tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabis and/or ketamine. Results A total of 186 unique database entries were retrieved, of which nine studies were included in the scoping review. These included four case reports/series, an open-label study, a cohort study, two online surveys, and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. They comprised three studies addressing phantom limb pain, four addressing cluster headaches, and two addressing fibromyalgia, spinal cord injury, complex regional pain syndrome, and lumbar radiculopathy. Conclusion Psychedelics may have potential in alleviating pain symptoms secondary to a multitude of chronic pain conditions. However, further randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials are needed to further explore and evaluate the role of psychedelics in chronic, non-cancer pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Robinson
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alexandra C G Fonseca
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative & Pain Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Efemena M Diejomaoh
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ryan S D’Souza
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Michael E Schatman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Care, and Pain Medicine, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health-Division of Medical Ethics, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Vwaire Orhurhu
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Susquehanna, Williamsport, PA, USA
- MVM Health, East Stroudsburg, PA, USA
| | - Trent Emerick
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Chronic Pain Division, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Sharma R, Batchelor R, Sin J. Psychedelic Treatments for Substance Use Disorder and Substance Misuse: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023; 55:612-630. [PMID: 36933948 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2190319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2023]
Abstract
Renewed interest in psychedelic substances in the 21st century has seen the exploration of psychedelic treatments for various psychiatric disorders including substance use disorder (SUD). This review aimed to assess the effectiveness of psychedelic treatments for people with SUD and those falling below diagnostic thresholds (i.e. substance misuse). We systematically searched 11 databases, trial registries, and psychedelic organization websites for empirical studies examining adults undergoing psychedelic treatment for SUD or substance misuse, published in the English language, between 2000 and 2021. Seven studies investigating treatment using psilocybin, ibogaine, and ayahuasca, alone or adjunct with psychotherapy reported across 10 papers were included. Measures of abstinence, substance use, psychological and psychosocial outcomes, craving, and withdrawal reported positive results, however, this data was scarce among studies examining a wide range of addictions including opioid, nicotine, alcohol, cocaine and unspecified substance. The qualitative synthesis from three studies described subjective experience of psychedelic-assisted treatments enhanced self-awareness, insight, and confidence. At present, there is no sufficient research evidence to suggest effectiveness of any of the psychedelics on any specific substance use disorder or substance misuse. Further research using rigorous effectiveness evaluation methods with larger sample sizes and longer-term follow-up is required.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Batchelor
- School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, England, London, UK
| | - Jacqueline Sin
- School of Health and Psychological Sciences, City, University of London, England, London, UK
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4
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Ayyub J, Nandennagari S, Edelbaum D, Agbo J, Nagendran D, Tamayo L. Hallucinogen-Induced Persisting Perception Disorder: A Case Report. Cureus 2023; 15:e46262. [PMID: 37908914 PMCID: PMC10615149 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), also known as acute hallucinogen-induced psychosis or informally known as "flashbacks," is an unusual condition experienced by patients due to the use of different hallucinogenic substances. Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder causes many symptoms, predominantly persistent visual perception distortion instead of intermittent distortion. Although different hallucinogens could cause HPPD, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and LSD-like properties seem to be the most common hallucinogens causing the symptoms. In our case report, the patient is a 28-year-old Caucasian male with a long psychiatric and social history of polysubstance use using LSD and cannabis. He started experiencing many of the classic symptoms of HPPD seven months after stopping LSD. The diagnosis is suspected by ruling out all other possible underlying causes with the help of several laboratory and imaging tests. Despite having an extensive psychiatric history of illnesses, the patient's symptoms failed to improve with antipsychotics, confirming that the symptoms were not only due to mental illness. Although supposedly the first-line treatment for HPPD is the use of alpha-2 adrenergic drugs such as clonidine and benzodiazepines, we started to witness improvement in patient's symptoms with the use of lamotrigine, which is the gold standard in treating perceptual disturbance in time and space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javairia Ayyub
- Department of Medicine, Caribbean Medical University School of Medicine, Willemstad, CUW
| | - Sailaja Nandennagari
- Department of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, Avalon University School of Medicine, Willemstad, CUW
| | - Dylan Edelbaum
- Department of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, Windsor University School of Medicine, Cayon, KNA
| | - Jennifer Agbo
- Department of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, Windsor University School of Medicine, Cayon, KNA
| | - Deenuka Nagendran
- Department of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, Richmond Gabriel University, Arnos Vale, VCT
| | - Luciano Tamayo
- Department of Behavioral Health and Psychiatry, Loretto Hospital, Chicago, USA
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5
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Weleff J, Akiki TJ, Barnett BS. Bibliometric Analysis of Academic Journal Articles Reporting Results of Psychedelic Clinical Studies. J Psychoactive Drugs 2023; 55:434-444. [PMID: 36218281 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2022.2133757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Following a decades long period of investigational dormancy, there is renewed interest in employing psychedelics as psychiatric treatments. The academic journals, institutions, and countries that have helped sustain clinical psychedelic research and the evolution of the literature on clinical studies of psychedelics have only recently begun to be investigated. To expand upon this work, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of clinical studies of 5-methoxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ibogaine, mescaline, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), and psilocybin published from 1965-2021. Our search revealed 394 relevant articles. After a lull from the 1970s-1990s, publications in this area have resurged. Studies most frequently focused on MDMA (49%), LSD (19%), psilocybin (18%), and ayahuasca (7%). A subanalysis of studies from 1965 to 2009 ("Older cohort") compared to 2010-2021 ("Recent cohort") revealed that the Recent cohort had a higher proportion of studies investigating psychedelics' therapeutic applications and a lower proportion of studies investigating the effects of psychedelics on people using them in non-research settings. Compared to the Older cohort, psilocybin studies increased proportionally in the Recent cohort, while DMT and mescaline studies decreased. Network analyses of inter-country collaborations suggested that psychedelic researchers in the United Kingdom have the most diverse international collaborations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Weleff
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Teddy J Akiki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Brian S Barnett
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Center for Behavioral Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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McIntyre RS. Is the psychedelic experience an essential aspect of the therapeutic effect of serotonergic psychedelics? Conceptual, discovery, development and implementation implications for psilocybin and related agents. Expert Opin Drug Saf 2023; 22:885-889. [PMID: 37635320 DOI: 10.1080/14740338.2023.2253144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Roger S McIntyre
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Brain and Cognition Discovery Foundation, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Schindler EAD, Hendricks PS. Adapting psychedelic medicine for headache and chronic pain disorders. Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:867-882. [PMID: 37652000 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2246655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION While the majority of current research and development surrounds depression, demoralization, and substance use disorders, there are numerous reports of psychedelics having beneficial effects in other branches of medicine, including for headache disorders and chronic pain. AREAS COVERED This perspective reviews conventional forms of treatment for headache and other chronic pain disorders and describes historical, recent, and ongoing investigations of the therapeutic effects of psychedelics in these disorders. The first two clinical trials of psilocybin in headache disorders and recent case reports of psilocybin mushroom self-administration in chronic pain patients are described. This perspective highlights several factors related to the application of psychedelics in chronic pain disorders, comparing this with the standard psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy model of treatment. EXPERT OPINION When faced with a more constricted view of psychedelic medicine that features larger doses, underscores subjective effects in the mediation of therapeutic outcomes, and requires adjunctive psychotherapy to ensure safety and efficacy, the application of psychedelics in headache and chronic pain disorders may face challenges. It will be important to allow for flexibility and adaptation in protocols to evaluate different treatment paradigms, mechanisms of action, and the range of pharmacologic and extra-pharmacologic factors that affect psychedelic treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle A D Schindler
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, New Haven, CT, USA
- Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, Headache Center of Excellence, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter S Hendricks
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
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8
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Kelly DF, Heinzerling K, Sharma A, Gowrinathan S, Sergi K, Mallari RJ. Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Science: A Review and Perspective on Opportunities in Neurosurgery and Neuro-Oncology. Neurosurgery 2023; 92:680-694. [PMID: 36512813 PMCID: PMC9988324 DOI: 10.1227/neu.0000000000002275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
After a decades-long pause, psychedelics are again being intensely investigated for treating a wide range of neuropsychiatric ailments including depression, anxiety, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder, anorexia, and chronic pain syndromes. The classic serotonergic psychedelics psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide and nonclassic psychedelics 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and ketamine are increasingly appreciated as neuroplastogens given their potential to fundamentally alter mood and behavior well beyond the time window of measurable exposure. Imaging studies with psychedelics are also helping advance our understanding of neural networks and connectomics. This resurgence in psychedelic science and psychedelic-assisted therapy has potential significance for the fields of neurosurgery and neuro-oncology and their diverse and challenging patients, many of whom continue to have mental health issues and poor quality of life despite receiving state-of-the-art care. In this study, we review recent and ongoing clinical trials, the set and setting model of psychedelic-assisted therapy, potential risks and adverse events, proposed mechanisms of action, and provide a perspective on how the safe and evidence-based use of psychedelics could potentially benefit many patients, including those with brain tumors, pain syndromes, ruminative disorders, stroke, SAH, TBI, and movement disorders. By leveraging psychedelics' neuroplastic potential to rehabilitate the mind and brain, novel treatments may be possible for many of these patient populations, in some instances working synergistically with current treatments and in some using subpsychedelic doses that do not require mind-altering effects for efficacy. This review aims to encourage broader multidisciplinary collaboration across the neurosciences to explore and help realize the transdiagnostic healing potential of psychedelics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel F. Kelly
- Treatment & Research in Psychedelics Program, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Saint John's Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Keith Heinzerling
- Treatment & Research in Psychedelics Program, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Saint John's Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Akanksha Sharma
- Treatment & Research in Psychedelics Program, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Saint John's Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Shanthi Gowrinathan
- Treatment & Research in Psychedelics Program, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Saint John's Cancer Institute, Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Karina Sergi
- Treatment & Research in Psychedelics Program, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
| | - Regin Jay Mallari
- Treatment & Research in Psychedelics Program, Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
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9
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Inserra A, Giorgini G, Lacroix S, Bertazzo A, Choo J, Markopolous A, Grant E, Abolghasemi A, De Gregorio D, Flamand N, Rogers G, Comai S, Silvestri C, Gobbi G, Di Marzo V. Effects of repeated lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on the mouse brain endocannabinoidome and gut microbiome. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:721-739. [PMID: 36316276 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Psychedelics elicit prosocial, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects via neuroplasticity, neurotransmission and neuro-immunomodulatory mechanisms. Whether psychedelics affect the brain endocannabinoid system and its extended version, the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) or the gut microbiome, remains unknown. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Adult C57BL/6N male mice were administered lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or saline for 7 days. Sociability was assessed in the direct social interaction and three chambers tests. Prefrontal cortex and hippocampal endocannabinoids, endocannabinoid-like mediators and metabolites were quantified via high-pressure liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Neurotransmitter levels were assessed via HPLC-UV/fluorescence. Gut microbiome changes were investigated by 16S ribosomal DNA sequencing. KEY RESULTS LSD increased social preference and novelty and decreased hippocampal levels of the N-acylethanolamines N-linoleoylethanolamine (LEA), anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine) and N-docosahexaenoylethanolamine (DHEA); the monoacylglycerol 1/2-docosahexaenoylglycerol (1/2-DHG); the prostaglandins D2 (PGD2 ) and F2α (PGF2α ); thromboxane 2 and kynurenine. Prefrontal eCBome mediator and metabolite levels were less affected by the treatment. LSD decreased Shannon alpha diversity of the gut microbiota, prevented the decrease in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio observed in saline-treated mice and altered the relative abundance of the bacterial taxa Bifidobacterium, Ileibacterium, Dubosiella and Rikenellaceae RC9. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The prosocial effects elicited by repeated LSD administration are accompanied by alterations of hippocampal eCBome and kynurenine levels, and the composition of the gut microbiota. Modulation of the hippocampal eCBome and kynurenine pathway might represent a mechanism by which psychedelic compounds elicit prosocial effects and affect the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Inserra
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Giada Giorgini
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Joint International Unit between the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy and Université Laval on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Sebastien Lacroix
- Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, Canada
| | - Antonella Bertazzo
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Jocelyn Choo
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Athanasios Markopolous
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Emily Grant
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Armita Abolghasemi
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Danilo De Gregorio
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Division of Neuroscience, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicolas Flamand
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Geraint Rogers
- Microbiome and Host Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Infection and Immunity, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Stefano Comai
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Cristoforo Silvestri
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, Canada.,Centre NUTRISS, École de Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation (FSAA), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Gabriella Gobbi
- Neurobiological Psychiatry Unit, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Vincenzo Di Marzo
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ), Québec, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Joint International Unit between the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy and Université Laval on Chemical and Biomolecular Research on the Microbiome and its Impact on Metabolic Health and Nutrition (UMI-MicroMeNu), Institute of Biomolecular Chemistry, CNR, Pozzuoli, Italy.,Canada Research Excellence Chair on the Microbiome-Endocannabinoidome Axis in Metabolic Health (CERC-MEND), Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Institut sur la Nutrition et les Aliments Fonctionnels (INAF), Québec, Canada.,Centre NUTRISS, École de Nutrition, Faculté des Sciences de l'Agriculture et de l'Alimentation (FSAA), Université Laval, Québec, Canada
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10
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Patton AL, Brown J, Heine K, Sartori DA, Karschner EL, Walterscheid JP. Quantitative Analysis of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) and 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD in Urine by Automated Extraction and Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry. J Anal Toxicol 2023; 47:448-454. [PMID: 36801944 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkad012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) has become a resurgent drug of abuse. The detection of LSD is problematic because of the low dosage taken by users, light and heat sensitivity of the analyte, and the lack of efficient analytical methods. Presented here is the validation of an automated sample preparation method for the analysis of LSD and its primary urinary metabolite, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD (OHLSD), in urine samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS-MS). Analytes were extracted from urine using an automated Dispersive Pipette XTRaction (DPX) method on Hamilton STAR and STARlet liquid handling systems. The limit of detection for both analytes was administratively defined at the lowest calibrator used in the experiments, and the limit of quantitation was 0.05 ng/mL for both analytes. All validation criteria were acceptable per Department of Defense Instruction 1010.16 requirements. This method offers an efficient, sensitive analytical solution to routinely evaluate large numbers of urine specimens for LSD in workplace drug-deterrence programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L Patton
- Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, 115 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA.,SNA International, LLC, contractor supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
| | - Jordan Brown
- Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, 115 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA
| | - Kimberley Heine
- Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, 115 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA.,SNA International, LLC, contractor supporting the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, Alexandria, VA 22314, USA.,Forensic Toxicology Division, Washington DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, 401 E Street SW, Washington DC, 20024, USA
| | - David A Sartori
- Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, 115 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA
| | - Erin L Karschner
- Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, 115 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA
| | - Jeffrey P Walterscheid
- Division of Forensic Toxicology, Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, 115 Purple Heart Drive, Dover AFB, DE 19902, USA
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11
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Mastinu A, Anyanwu M, Carone M, Abate G, Bonini SA, Peron G, Tirelli E, Pucci M, Ribaudo G, Oselladore E, Premoli M, Gianoncelli A, Uberti DL, Memo M. The Bright Side of Psychedelics: Latest Advances and Challenges in Neuropharmacology. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24. [PMID: 36674849 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The need to identify effective therapies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders is a particularly important issue in modern societies. In addition, difficulties in finding new drugs have led pharmacologists to review and re-evaluate some past molecules, including psychedelics. For several years there has been growing interest among psychotherapists in psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder, of depression, or of post-traumatic stress disorder, although results are not always clear and definitive. In fact, the mechanisms of action of psychedelics are not yet fully understood and some molecular aspects have yet to be well defined. Thus, this review aims to summarize the ethnobotanical uses of the best-known psychedelic plants and the pharmacological mechanisms of the main active ingredients they contain. Furthermore, an up-to-date overview of structural and computational studies performed to evaluate the affinity and binding modes to biologically relevant receptors of ibogaine, mescaline, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, psilocin, and lysergic acid diethylamide is presented. Finally, the most recent clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of psychedelic molecules in some psychiatric disorders are discussed and compared with drugs already used in therapy.
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12
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Alper K, Cange J, Sah R, Schreiber-Gregory D, Sershen H, Vinod KY. Psilocybin sex-dependently reduces alcohol consumption in C57BL/6J mice. Front Pharmacol 2023; 13:1074633. [PMID: 36686713 PMCID: PMC9846572 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1074633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The classical psychedelic psilocybin is of interest as a treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study investigated the effects of psilocybin on voluntary ethanol consumption in adult male and female C57BL/6J mice administered saline or psilocybin intraperitoneally as a single dose of 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/kg and provided 20% ethanol utilizing a two-bottle choice alcohol drinking paradigm. Ethanol was provided continuously for 3 days immediately following the administration of psilocybin, then withheld for 2 days, and then provided continuously for two subsequent additional days. A multilevel model (MLM) for repeated measures was used to compare ethanol consumption and preference in psilocybin-treated groups versus controls. Ethanol consumption and preference were reduced in male mice during the 3-day interval that immediately followed psilocybin administration. The effect of psilocybin on ethanol consumption was dose-related and was consistent across the 3-day interval at dosages of 0.5 mg/kg or greater. Psilocybin had no effect on consumption or preference when ethanol was subsequently reintroduced after 2 days of withdrawal. In contrast to males, psilocybin had no significant effect on ethanol consumption or preference in female mice at any dosage or time point. The lack of an effect of psilocybin on quinine preference, and its limited interaction with locomotor activity indicated that the observed reduction in voluntary ethanol consumption was not attributable to altered taste perception or motor effects. Total fluid consumption was increased in males at some time points and psilocybin dosages and unchanged in females, and the absence of any decrease in either group at any time point indicated that the observed reduction in ethanol consumption was not mediated by nonspecific effects on consummatory behavior. The finding of a sex-dependent effect of psilocybin on ethanol consumption suggests that the C57BL/6J mouse may provide a useful experimental approach to modeling sex differences in vulnerability to AUD in addition to investigation of the neurobiological basis of the effect of classical psychedelics on alcohol drinking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Alper
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States,Department of Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Kenneth Alper, ; K. Yaragudri Vinod,
| | - Janelle Cange
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources of Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Ria Sah
- Department of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | | | - Henry Sershen
- Department of Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States,Department of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - K. Yaragudri Vinod
- Department of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States,Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States,*Correspondence: Kenneth Alper, ; K. Yaragudri Vinod,
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13
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Rosenblat JD, Husain MI, Lee Y, McIntyre RS, Mansur RB, Castle D, Offman H, Parikh SV, Frey BN, Schaffer A, Greenway KT, Garel N, Beaulieu S, Kennedy SH, Lam RW, Milev R, Ravindran AV, Tourjman V, Ameringen MV, Yatham LN, Taylor V. The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) Task Force Report: Serotonergic Psychedelic Treatments for Major Depressive Disorder. Can J Psychiatry 2023; 68:5-21. [PMID: 35975555 PMCID: PMC9720483 DOI: 10.1177/07067437221111371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Serotonergic psychedelics are re-emerging as potential novel treatments for several psychiatric disorders including major depressive disorder. The Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) convened a task force to review the evidence and provide a consensus recommendation for the clinical use of psychedelic treatments for major depressive disorder. METHODS A systematic review was conducted to identify contemporary clinical trials of serotonergic psychedelics for the treatment of major depressive disorder and cancer-related depression. Studies published between January 1990 and July 2021 were identified using combinations of search terms, inspection of bibliographies and review of other psychedelic reviews and consensus statements. The levels of evidence for efficacy were graded according to the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments criteria. RESULTS Only psilocybin and ayahuasca have contemporary clinical trials evaluating antidepressant effects. Two pilot studies showed preliminary positive effects of single-dose ayahuasca for treatment-resistant depression (Level 3 evidence). Small randomized controlled trials of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy showed superiority to waitlist controls and comparable efficacy and safety to an active comparator (escitalopram with supportive psychotherapy) in major depressive disorder, with additional randomized controlled trials showing efficacy specifically in cancer-related depression (Level 3 evidence). There was only one open-label trial of psilocybin in treatment-resistant unipolar depression (Level 4 evidence). Small sample sizes and functional unblinding were major limitations in all studies. Adverse events associated with psychedelics, including psychological (e.g., psychotomimetic effects) and physical (e.g., nausea, emesis and headaches) effects, were generally transient. CONCLUSIONS There is currently only low-level evidence to support the efficacy and safety of psychedelics for major depressive disorder. In Canada, as of 2022, psilocybin remains an experimental option that is only available through clinical trials or the special access program. As such, Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments considers psilocybin an experimental treatment and recommends its use primarily within clinical trials, or, less commonly, through the special access program in rare, special circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D Rosenblat
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,7978Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - M Ishrat Husain
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Yena Lee
- 7978Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Roger S McIntyre
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,7978Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rodrigo B Mansur
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,7978Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Castle
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hilary Offman
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sagar V Parikh
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Depression Program, Michigan Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA
| | - Benicio N Frey
- Mood Disorders Program, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, McMaster University, Psychiatry & Behavioural Neurosciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ayal Schaffer
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Nicolas Garel
- McGill University, Psychiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Sidney H Kennedy
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,7978Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Raymond W Lam
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Roumen Milev
- Department of Psychiatry, Providence Care, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Arun V Ravindran
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Valerie Tourjman
- Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal, Psychiatry, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael Van Ameringen
- McMaster University Medical Centre, Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lakshmi N Yatham
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Valerie Taylor
- Department of Psychiatry, 7938University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,7978Mood Disorders Psychopharmacology Unit, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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14
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Livne O, Shmulewitz D, Walsh C, Hasin DS. Adolescent and adult time trends in US hallucinogen use, 2002-19: any use, and use of ecstasy, LSD and PCP. Addiction 2022; 117:3099-3109. [PMID: 35978453 PMCID: PMC9994631 DOI: 10.1111/add.15987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Hallucinogen use is potentially harmful. Information on whether such use has increased in recent decades is lacking. This study assessed overall and age-specific time trends in the prevalence of 12-month hallucinogen use in the US general population. DESIGN Cross-sectional. SETTING Data from the US National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2002-19. PARTICIPANTS Respondents aged ≥ 12 years (n = 1 006 051). MEASUREMENTS Predictors were continuous years. Outcome variables included any hallucinogen use and use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ecstasy and phencyclidine (PCP) in the past year. Socio-demographic variables (gender, age, race/ethnicity, educational level and family income) were covariates. FINDINGS Overall, hallucinogen use increased between 2015 and 2019 [prevalence difference (PD) = +0.44, P < 0.05]. Since 2002, hallucinogen use has increased in adults aged ≥ 26 years (PD, 2002-14 = +0.24, P < 0.05; PD, 2015-19 = +0.45, P < 0.001) and decreased in adolescents aged 12-17 years (PD, 2002-14 = -1.60, P < 0.0001; PD, 2015-19 = -0.73, P < 0.001). Ecstasy use has decreased in adolescents (PD, 2002-14 = -0.56, P < 0.001), adults aged 18-25 years (PD, 2015-19 = -0.96, P < 0.01) and ≥ 26 years (PD, 2015-19 = -0.13, P < 0.05). LSD use between 2002 and 2019 increased overall (PD = +0.71, P < 0.0001) and in all age groups (12-17: PD = +0.67, P < 0.001; 18-25: PD = +3.12, P < 0.0001; ≥ 26: PD = +0.36, P < 0.0001). Conversely, PCP use between 2002 and 2019 decreased overall (PD = -0.06, P < 0.001), in adolescents (PD = -0.24, P < 0.001) and young adults (PD = -0.32, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Since 2002, hallucinogen use in the United States has decreased among adolescents but increased in adults and is now estimated to affect more than 3 million adults aged 26+ years and more than 5.5 million adults aged 18+ years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofir Livne
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dvora Shmulewitz
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claire Walsh
- New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Deborah S Hasin
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA.,New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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15
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de la Fuente Revenga M, Jaster AM, McGinn J, Silva G, Saha S, González-Maeso J. Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT 2A Receptor Agonists in Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2436-2448. [PMID: 35900876 PMCID: PMC10411500 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Classical psychedelics represent a subgroup of serotonergic psychoactive substances characterized by their distinct subjective effects on the human psyche. Another unique attribute of this drug class is that such effects become less apparent after repeated exposure within a short time span. The classification of psychedelics as a subgroup within the serotonergic drug family and the tolerance to their effects are replicated by the murine head twitch response (HTR) behavioral paradigm. Here, we aimed to assess tolerance and cross-tolerance to HTR elicited by psychedelic and nonpsychedelic serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) agonists in mice. We show that repeated (4 days) administration of the psychedelic 1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) induced a progressive decrease in HTR behavior. Tolerance to DOI-induced HTR was also observed 24 h after a single administration of this psychedelic. Pretreatment with the 5-HT2AR antagonist M100907 reduced not only the acute manifestation of DOI-induced HTR, but also the development of tolerance to HTR. Additionally, cross-tolerance became apparent between the psychedelics DOI and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), whereas repeated administration of the nonpsychedelic 5-HT2AR agonist lisuride did not affect the ability of these two psychedelics to induce HTR. At the molecular level, DOI administration led to down-regulation of 5-HT2AR density in mouse frontal cortex membrane preparations. However, development of tolerance to the effect of DOI on HTR remained unchanged in β-arrestin-2 knockout mice. Together, these data suggest that tolerance to HTR induced by psychedelics involves activation of the 5-HT2AR, is not observable upon repeated administration of nonpsychedelic 5-HT2AR agonists, and occurs via a signaling mechanism independent of β-arrestin-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario de la Fuente Revenga
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
- Virginia Institute of Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Alaina M Jaster
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
- Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - John McGinn
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Gabriella Silva
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Somdatta Saha
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
| | - Javier González-Maeso
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia 23298, United States
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16
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Elsilä LV, Harkki J, Enberg E, Martti A, Linden AM, Korpi ER. Effects of acute lysergic acid diethylamide on intermittent ethanol and sucrose drinking and intracranial self-stimulation in C57BL/6 mice. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:860-874. [PMID: 35695174 PMCID: PMC9247434 DOI: 10.1177/02698811221104641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychedelics, like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), are again being studied as potential therapies for many neuropsychiatric disorders, including addictions. At the same time, the acute effects of psychedelics on rewarding behaviours have been scarcely studied. AIMS The current study aimed to clarify if LSD decreases binge-like ethanol drinking in mice, and whether the observed acute effects on ethanol consumption are generalizable to a natural reinforcer, sucrose, and if the effects resulted from aversive or reward-attenuating effects caused by LSD. METHODS The effects of acute LSD were examined using 2-bottle choice intermittent ethanol (20%) and sucrose drinking (10%), discrete-trial current-intensity threshold method of intracranial self-stimulation and short-term feeding behaviour assay in C57BL/6 male mice. RESULTS The results showed that acute 0.1 mg/kg, but not 0.05 mg/kg, dose (i.p.) of LSD reduced 2-h intermittent ethanol drinking transiently without any prolonged effects. No effects were seen in intermittent 2-h sucrose drinking. The tested LSD doses had neither effect on the intracranial self-stimulation current-intensity thresholds, nor did LSD affect the threshold-lowering, or rewarding, effects of simultaneous amphetamine treatment. Furthermore, LSD had small, acute diminishing effects on 2-h food and water intake. CONCLUSIONS Based on these results, LSD decreases binge-like ethanol drinking in mice, but only acutely. This effect is not likely to stem from reward-attenuating effects but could be in part due to reduced consummatory behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri V Elsilä
- Lauri V Elsilä, Department of
Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63
(Haartmaninkatu 8), Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki FI-00014, Finland.
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17
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Li H, Zhong Y, Yang S, Wang J, Li X, Xu J, Gao H, Chen G. The potential role of lysergic acid diethylamide for psychological assisted therapy: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials in healthy volunteers. Hum Psychopharmacol 2022; 37:e2825. [PMID: 34739739 DOI: 10.1002/hup.2825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In recent years, interest in using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in psychiatric research and corresponding therapy has increased rapidly. In this meta-analysis, we explored the effects of LSD on healthy subjects with respect to subjective drug effects, blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature and side effects. METHOD PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from January 2010 to December 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effects of LSD in healthy people. Subsequently, 5 RCTs with 132 healthy people which focused on the effects of LSD were enrolled in our study. RESULT We found that taking 50, 100 and 200 mcg LSD doses were associated with a significant increase in the maximal difference from the baseline compared to the placebo group among the outcomes of AMRS (Adjective Mood Rating Scale) score. Significant differences existed between the LSD and placebo groups when taking 100 and 200 mcg LSD in acute adverse effects (100 mcg: SMD = .97, 95% confidence interval [CI], .50, 1.44, Z = 4.04, p < .001; 200 mcg: SMD = 1.18, 95% CI, 0.65, 1.72, Z = 4.32, p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis of the subjective effects of LSD in healthy people revealed moderate significant effect sizes in favor of LSD with no significant adverse effects. A 100 mcg dose of LSD has potential for use in psychological-assisted therapy and may improve the mental fitness of patients with disease-related psychiatric distress. Additional clinical trials are necessary to explore the efficacy and safety of LSD as a psychological-assisted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yi Zhong
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Siyuan Yang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jiahe Wang
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jianguo Xu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Heng Gao
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The Affiliated Jiangyin Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Jiangyin, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China
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18
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Leger RF, Unterwald EM. Assessing the effects of methodological differences on outcomes in the use of psychedelics in the treatment of anxiety and depressive disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Psychopharmacol 2022; 36:20-30. [PMID: 34519567 DOI: 10.1177/02698811211044688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Classical psychedelics are a group of drugs which act as agonists on the serotonin-2A (5-HT2A) receptor. Evidence suggests they may have a uniquely rapid and enduring positive effect on mood. However, marked heterogeneity between methodological designs in this emerging field remains a significant concern. AIMS To determine how differences in the type of psychedelic agent used and the number of dosing sessions administered affect subjects' depression and anxiety outcomes and adverse drug reactions (ADR). METHODS This review collected and screened 1591 records from the MEDLINE and Web of Science databases for clinical trials reporting objective data on mood for subjects with a known anxiety or depression. RESULTS After screening, nine clinical trials met inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of these studies showed significant, large positive effect sizes for measures of anxiety (Cohen's d = 1.26) and depression (Cohen's d = 1.38) overall. These positive effects were also significant at acute (⩽1 week) and extended (>1 week) time points. No significant differences were observed between trials using different psychedelic agents (psilocybin, ayahuasca or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)), however, a significant difference was observed in favour of trials with multiple dosing sessions. No serious ADR were reported. CONCLUSION Psilocybin, ayahuasca and LSD all appear to be effective and relatively safe agents capable of producing rapid and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression. Moreover, the findings of the present analysis suggest that they may show a greater efficacy when given to patients over multiple sessions as compared to the more common single session used in many of the existing trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Leger
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ellen M Unterwald
- Center for Substance Abuse Research, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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19
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Bose PK, Ray D, Biswas P, Arafat SMY. Suicidal cut-throat wound during LSD intoxication. Clin Case Rep 2021; 9:e05100. [PMID: 34815882 PMCID: PMC8593880 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.5100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogenic drug affecting the mood and perception of an individual. Although LSD-induced self-inflicted cut-throat wounds and self-harm injuries are extremely rarely reported behaviors, some reports are coming out in recent days that may complicate the depiction of scenarios in forensic psychiatry settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palash Kumar Bose
- Department of Forensic Medicine and ToxicologyEnam Medical CollegeDhakaBangladesh
| | - Debika Ray
- Department of Forensic Medicine and ToxicologyDhaka Medical CollegeDhakaBangladesh
| | - Prodip Biswas
- Department of Forensic Medicine and ToxicologyDhaka Medical CollegeDhakaBangladesh
| | - S. M. Yasir Arafat
- Department of PsychiatryEnam Medical College and HospitalDhakaBangladesh
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20
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Larsen JK. Early LSD treatment in Denmark from 1960 to 1974: An analysis of possible and long-lasting changes in the adult personality following psychedelic treatment. A historical retrospective cohort study. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e26300. [PMID: 34115036 PMCID: PMC8202585 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000026300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT In view of the renewed interest in psychedelics in psychiatry it is timely to analyze psychedelic treatment in historical cohorts. Recently the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics has been linked to the so-called phenomenon of "connectedness." The aim of the present study was to explore whether long-lasting personality changes were observed in any of the 151 Danish psychiatric patients who were treated with Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) from 1960 to 1974.The exploration included a reanalysis of a subgroup as well from a 1964 Danish historical cohort. Medical records and other case materials of the above mentioned 151 patients are kept in the Danish State Archives. The present author was granted access to the LSD case materials in the Danish State Archives, and respected confidentiality per the Archives Law. According to the LSD Damages Law from 1986, they all received financial compensation for LSD-inflicted harm.Analysis did not reveal any personality changes such as "connectedness;" however, other lasting personality changes were observed in 2 to 4 patients and in quite a few patients unwanted effects persisted for weeks or months following acute treatment. In the present analysis of the 1964 cohort, the same percentage of patients improved with LSD treatment as in the historical analysis. In the latter, however, little attention was given to side effects, such as suicide attempts, suicides, and one homicide.Future psychedelic research with psychiatric patients should respect the potential toxicity of LSD and other psychedelics and meticulously monitor possible side effects.
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Roberts DM, Premachandra KH, Chan BS, Auld R, Jiranantakan T, Ewers C, McDonald C, Shaw V, Brown JA. A cluster of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) poisonings following insufflation of a white powder sold as cocaine. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2021; 59:969-974. [PMID: 33849370 DOI: 10.1080/15563650.2021.1904140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adulteration, substitution or contamination of illicit substances can have clinically significant implications when other illicit substances are included. Such circumstances can present as clusters of poisonings, including severe toxicity and death following exposure to unexpected illicit substances. We report a cluster of laboratory-confirmed lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in a powder that was sold as cocaine and used recreationally. METHODS The Prescription, Recreational and Illicit Substance Evaluation (PRISE) program established by the New South Wales Ministry of Health includes State-based hospital toxicology services, Poisons Information Centre, Forensic & Analytical Science Service and emergency services to identify clusters of severe and unusual toxicity associated with substance use. PRISE criteria include a known cluster (geographically or situationally related) of people with acute severe toxicity, especially when accompanied by a toxidrome that is inconsistent with the history of exposure. A timely comprehensive drug screen and quantification is performed in eligible cases and the results are related to the clinical features. The need for a public health response is then considered. Four individuals inhaled a white powder that was sold as cocaine and developed severe toxicity that was not consistent with cocaine which prompted transfer to hospital for further management. RESULTS LSD was confirmed in four subjects, and the concentrations in 3 of the individuals were 0.04-0.06 mg/L which are among the highest reported in the literature. Common clinical features were hallucinations, agitation, vomiting, sedation, hypertension, and mydriasis. One subject required intubation and admission to the intensive care unit, two required overnight admission, and the fourth was discharged following oral diazepam after observation. No subject suffered persistent injury. CONCLUSIONS A close working relationship between pre-hospital emergency services, hospital-based clinical services, public health authorities, and analytical laboratories appears to be advantageous. Favourable clinical outcomes are observed from LSD poisoning despite high exposures with good supportive care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren M Roberts
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia.,NSW Poisons Information Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia.,Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Kulanka H Premachandra
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Australia.,St Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Betty S Chan
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia.,Clinical Toxicology Unit and Emergency Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Robin Auld
- Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Thanjira Jiranantakan
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia.,Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, Australia.,Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia.,Edith Collins Centre, Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Christopher Ewers
- Illicit Drugs Analysis Unit, NSW Health Pathology, Forensic & Analytical Science Service, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Catherine McDonald
- Forensic Toxicology, NSW Health Pathology, Forensic & Analytical Science Service, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Vanessa Shaw
- Forensic Toxicology, NSW Health Pathology, Forensic & Analytical Science Service, Lidcombe, Australia
| | - Jared A Brown
- NSW Poisons Information Centre, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network, Westmead, Australia.,Centre for Alcohol and Other Drugs, NSW Ministry of Health, St Leonards, Australia
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22
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Sobanski E, Dalm S, Sievers L, Külzer T, Liesenfeld H, Schmidt-Kittler H, Huss M. Herbal High: Substance-Induced Psychosis after Consumption of Seeds of the Hawaiian Baby Woodrose. Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother 2021; 49:307-311. [PMID: 33661700 DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Seeds of the Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (HBWR, Argyreia nervosa) are known as "legal or herbal highs" and can be easily purchased online in Germany. They contain various ergot alkaloids, including lysergic acid amide (LSA), which is chemically related to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Pharmacological data are limited but suggest that LSA-concentration in HBWR seeds is highly variable, and that adverse psychiatric and somatic effects are not related to LSA-dosage. Anecdotal, mostly cross-sectional clinical case reports describe spontaneous remission of intoxication-related somatic and psychiatric symptoms as well as intoxication-related death. Treatment recommendations for LSA-induced psychiatric syndromes are not available. We report here on the clinical course and treatment of a drug-induced psychosis after consumption of HBWR seeds. The adolescent had consumed HBWR seeds once before without suffering any negative effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Sobanski
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
| | - Saskia Dalm
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
| | - Luisa Sievers
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
| | - Tim Külzer
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
| | - Heinz Liesenfeld
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
| | - Halgard Schmidt-Kittler
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael Huss
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Germany.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Rheinhessen Clinics, Mainz, Germany
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23
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Abstract
This study was designed to identify trends in the top-cited classic psychedelic publications. The top 50 publications on classic psychedelics with the greatest total of number of citations and annual citation rate were identified and pooled. Unique articles (n = 77) were dichotomized by median year of publication (2010); the differential distribution of study characteristics between the "Recent Cohort" (n = 40) and "Older Cohort" (n = 37) were documented. The Recent Cohort had a greater annual citation rate (median 76.5, IQR 43.8 to 103.3) compared to the Older Cohort (median 8.8, IQR 4.2 to 17.2, p < .001). The Recent Cohort included a greater number of clinical studies (n = 27 [67.5%] vs. n = 10 [27.0%]) while the Older Cohort included more basic science and preclinical studies (n = 22 [59.5%] vs. n = 3 [7.5%], p < .001). Psilocybin was the predominant psychedelic studied in the Recent Cohort (n = 26 [40.6%] vs. n = 8 [17.4%]) while lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was predominantly studied in the Older Cohort (n = 26 [56.5%] vs. n = 19 [29.7%], p = .028). The Recent Cohort included more studies examining affective disorders (n = 16 [25.8%] vs. n = 1 [2.7%]) and substance use disorders (n = 6 [9.7%] vs. n = 1 [2.7%]), while the Older Cohort included a greater number of pharmacological outcomes (n = 26 [70.3%] vs. n = 11 [17.7%], p < .001). This study identified and documented trends in the top-cited classic psychedelic publications. The field is continuing to form a foundational understanding of the pharmacological effects of psychedelics and is now advancing with the identification of therapeutic uses within clinical populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Wyndham Lawrence
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Mount Sinai Hospital, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Canada.,Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Bhanu Sharma
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.,Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Roland R Griffiths
- Departments of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Robin Carhart-Harris
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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24
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Elsilä LV, Korhonen N, Hyytiä P, Korpi ER. Acute Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Does Not Influence Reward-Driven Decision Making of C57BL/6 Mice in the Iowa Gambling Task. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:602770. [PMID: 33343373 PMCID: PMC7745734 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.602770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
While interest in psychedelic drugs in the fields of psychiatry and neuroscience has re-emerged in recent last decades, the general understanding of the effects of these drugs remains deficient. In particular, there are gaps in knowledge on executive functions and goal-directed behaviors both in humans and in commonly used animal models. The effects of acute doses of psychedelic lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) on reward-driven decision making were explored using the mouse version of the Iowa Gambling Task. A total of 15 mice were trained to perform in a touch-screen adaptation of the rodent version of the Iowa Gambling Task, after which single acute doses of LSD (0.025, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 mg/kg), serotonin 2A receptor-selective agonist 25CN-NBOH (1.5 mg/kg), d-amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg), and saline were administered before the trial. 25CN-NBOH and the three lowest doses of LSD showed no statistically significant changes in option selection or in general functioning during the gambling task trials. The highest dose of LSD (0.4 mg/kg) significantly decreased premature responding and increased the omission rate, but had no effect on option selection in comparison with the saline control. Amphetamine significantly decreased the correct responses and premature responding while increasing the omission rate. In conclusion, mice can perform previously learned, reward-driven decision-making tasks while under the acute influence of LSD at a commonly used dose range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauri V Elsilä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nuppu Korhonen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Hyytiä
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Esa R Korpi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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25
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Le Daré B, Gicquel T, Baert A, Morel I, Bouvet R. Self-inflicted neck wounds under influence of lysergic acid diethylamide: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020; 99:e20868. [PMID: 32629675 PMCID: PMC7337592 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000020868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a highly potent psychedelic drug derived from ergot alkaloids. The available literature data derived from controlled studies or usage in a medical setting seem reassuring; however the literature contains very rare cases of fatal self-inflicted injuries associated with LSD exposure. The behavioral disorder that created the conditions conducive to death is a maladaptive or irrational response to the psychiatric manifestations induced by the substance. PATIENT CONCERN Here, we report the case of a 26-year-old man found dead with large neck wounds in a locked house. No medical history other than recreational use of alcohol and narcotics was reported as well as any history of psychotic disease. The entirety of the other investigations carried out did not demonstrate the presence of a third party at the place of death and a dropper bottle containing LSD was found near the body. DIAGNOSIS We report the first case of fatal self-inflicted neck wounds with a cutting instrument in the context of acute exposure to LSD in a patient with no psychiatric history and without suicidal symptoms at the time of the self-aggressive act. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOMES In the present work, we used a validated method using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry for simultaneous quantification of LSD and its metabolites (O-H-LSD and Nor-LSD) in whole blood and urine samples. LSD and O-H-LSD were respectively found at 1460 and 182 pg/mL in blood. In the urine, the concentrations of LSD, nor-LSD, O-H-LSD were, respectively, 3670, 201, and 4890 ng/L. LESSONS This observation is particularly relevant in view of the resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of LSD, notwithstanding the fact that the literature has not demonstrated a link between suicidal risk and acute or chronic exposure to LSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brendan Le Daré
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Institut national de recherche agronomique, University Hospital Rennes, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolism and Cancer)
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory
| | - Thomas Gicquel
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Institut national de recherche agronomique, University Hospital Rennes, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolism and Cancer)
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory
| | - Alain Baert
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Rennes University Hospital
| | - Isabelle Morel
- Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Institut national de recherche agronomique, University Hospital Rennes, Institut NuMeCan (Nutrition, Metabolism and Cancer)
- Forensic Toxicology Laboratory
| | - Renaud Bouvet
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Rennes University Hospital
- Institut du droit public et de la science politique - EA 4640, University Rennes, Rennes, France
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26
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Hibicke M, Landry AN, Kramer HM, Talman ZK, Nichols CD. Psychedelics, but Not Ketamine, Produce Persistent Antidepressant-like Effects in a Rodent Experimental System for the Study of Depression. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:864-871. [PMID: 32133835 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Psilocybin shows efficacy to alleviate depression in human clinical trials for six or more months after only one or two treatments. Another hallucinogenic drug, esketamine, has recently been U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved as a rapid-acting antidepressant. The mechanistic basis for the antidepressant effects of psilocybin and ketamine appear to be conserved. The efficacy of these two medications has not, however, been directly compared either clinically or preclinically. Further, whether or not a profound subjective existential experience is necessary for psilocybin to have antidepressant effects is unknown. To address these questions, we tested psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and ketamine in a rat model for depression. As in humans, a single administration of psilocybin or LSD produced persistent antidepressant-like effects in our model. In contrast, ketamine produced only a transient antidepressant-like effect. Our results indicate that classic psychedelics may have therapeutic efficacy that is more persistent than that of ketamine, and also suggest that a subjective existential experience may not be necessary for therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghan Hibicke
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Alexus N. Landry
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Hannah M. Kramer
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Zoe K. Talman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
| | - Charles D. Nichols
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, United States
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27
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Wolff M, Evens R, Mertens LJ, Koslowski M, Betzler F, Gründer G, Jungaberle H. Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:5. [PMID: 32153433 PMCID: PMC7046795 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies for mental disorders has been attributed to the lasting change from experiential avoidance to acceptance that these treatments appear to facilitate. This article presents a conceptual model that specifies potential psychological mechanisms underlying such change, and that shows substantial parallels between psychedelic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy: We propose that in the carefully controlled context of psychedelic therapy as applied in contemporary clinical research, psychedelic-induced belief relaxation can increase motivation for acceptance via operant conditioning, thus engendering episodes of relatively avoidance-free exposure to greatly intensified private events. Under these unique learning conditions, relaxed avoidance-related beliefs can be exposed to corrective information and become revised accordingly, which may explain long-term increases in acceptance and corresponding reductions in psychopathology. Open research questions and implications for clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Max Wolff
- Faculty of Psychology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
- MIND Foundation, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ricarda Evens
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lea J. Mertens
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Michael Koslowski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Felix Betzler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Gerhard Gründer
- Department of Molecular Neuroimaging, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
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28
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Rocha JM, Osório FL, Crippa JAS, Bouso JC, Rossi GN, Hallak JEC, Dos Santos RG. Serotonergic hallucinogens and recognition of facial emotion expressions: a systematic review of the literature. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2019; 9:2045125319845774. [PMID: 31065350 PMCID: PMC6487767 DOI: 10.1177/2045125319845774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recognition of emotions in facial expressions (REFE) is a key aspect of social cognition. Anxiety and mood disorders are associated with deficits in REFE, and anxiolytics and antidepressants reverse these deficits. Recent studies have shown that serotonergic hallucinogens (i.e. ayahuasca, dimethyltryptamine, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], and mescaline) have anxiolytic and antidepressant properties, but their effects on REFE are not well understood. The purpose of the study was to conduct a systematic review analyzing the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens on REFE in humans. METHODS Studies published in the PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases until 19 October 2018 which analyzed the effects of serotonergic hallucinogens on REFE in humans were included. RESULTS Of the 62 studies identified, 8 studies were included. Included studies involved the administration of a single or a few doses of LSD or psilocybin, and most trials were randomized and controlled with placebo. LSD and psilocybin reduced the recognition of negative emotions in most studies and modulated amygdala activity to these stimuli, which was correlated with antidepressive effects in patients. Both drugs were well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Serotonergic hallucinogens reduced the recognition of negative emotions by modulating amygdala activity. Despite the small sample sizes, results suggest that serotonergic hallucinogens show promising beneficial effects on deficits in REFE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliana M Rocha
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Flávia L Osório
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, and National Institute of Science and Technology - Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Alexandre S Crippa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, and National Institute of Science and Technology - Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Carlos Bouso
- ICEERS Foundation, International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Services, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giordano N Rossi
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, and National Institute of Science and Technology - Translational Medicine, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael G Dos Santos
- Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Hospital das Clínicas, Terceiro Andar, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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29
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Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is one of the most potent psychoactive agents known, producing dramatic alterations of consciousness after submilligram (≥20 μg) oral doses. Following the accidental discovery of its potent psychoactive effects in 1943, it was supplied by Sandoz Laboratories as an experimental drug that might be useful as an adjunct for psychotherapy, or to give psychiatrists insight into the mental processes in their patients. The finding of serotonin in the mammalian brain in 1953, and its structural resemblance to LSD, quickly led to ideas that serotonin in the brain might be involved in mental disorders, initiating rapid research interest in the neurochemistry of serotonin. LSD proved to be physiologically very safe and nonaddictive, with a very low incidence of adverse events when used in controlled experiments. Widely hailed by psychiatry as a breakthrough in the 1950s and early 1960s, clinical research with LSD ended by about 1970, when it was formally placed into Schedule 1 of the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 following its growing popularity as a recreational drug. Within the past 5 years, clinical research with LSD has begun in Europe, but there has been none in the United States. LSD is proving to be a powerful tool to help understand brain dynamics when combined with modern brain imaging methods. It remains to be seen whether therapeutic value for LSD can be confirmed in controlled clinical trials, but promising results have been obtained in small pilot trials of depression, anxiety, and addictions using psilocybin, a related psychedelic molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- David E. Nichols
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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30
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Alper K, Dong B, Shah R, Sershen H, Vinod KY. LSD Administered as a Single Dose Reduces Alcohol Consumption in C57BL/6J Mice. Front Pharmacol 2018; 9:994. [PMID: 30233372 PMCID: PMC6127266 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2018.00994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a substantive clinical literature on classical hallucinogens, most commonly lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for the treatment of alcohol use disorder. However, there has been no published research on the effect of LSD on alcohol consumption in animals. This study evaluated the effect of LSD in mice using a two-bottle choice alcohol drinking paradigm. Adult male C57BL/6J mice were exposed to ethanol to develop preference and divided into three groups of equal ethanol consumption, and then treated with single intraperitoneal injection of saline or 25 or 50 μg/kg LSD and offered water and 20% ethanol. The respective LSD-treated groups were compared to the control group utilizing a multilevel model for repeated measures. In mice treated with 50 μg/kg LSD ethanol consumption was reduced relative to controls (p = 0.0035), as was ethanol preference (p = 0.0024), with a group mean reduction of ethanol consumption of 17.9% sustained over an interval of 46 days following LSD administration. No significant effects on ethanol consumption or preference were observed in mice treated with 25 μg/kg LSD. Neither total fluid intake nor locomotor activity in the LSD-treated groups differed significantly from controls. These results suggest that classical hallucinogens in the animal model merit further study as a potential approach to the identification of targets for drug discovery and investigation of the neurobiology of addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenneth Alper
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bin Dong
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Relish Shah
- Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - Henry Sershen
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neurochemistry, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States
| | - K Yaragudri Vinod
- Division of Analytical Psychopharmacology, Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research, Orangeburg, NY, United States.,Emotional Brain Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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31
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Dos Santos RG, Bouso JC, Alcázar-Córcoles MÁ, Hallak JEC. Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of serotonergic psychedelics for the management of mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2018; 11:889-902. [PMID: 30102078 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2018.1511424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders are among the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in the population. Although several pharmacological treatments are available, they are not effective for a significant proportion of patients and are associated with several adverse reactions. Therefore, new treatments should be explored. Recent studies suggest that serotonergic hallucinogens/psychedelics including ayahuasca, psilocybin, and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have anxiolytic, antidepressive, and antiaddictive effects. Areas Covered: A systematic review of systematic reviews assessing the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of serotonergic hallucinogens/psychedelic was performed using the PubMed data base until 11 April 2018. Systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis were analyzed, but only reviews that described at least one randomized controlled trial (RCT) were included. Expert Commentary: Psilocybin and LSD reduced anxiety and depression in cancer patients and symptoms of alcohol and tobacco dependence, and ayahuasca reduced depression symptoms in treatment-resistant depression. Although the results are promising, several studies were open label, and only few were RCTs, and most had small sample sizes and a short duration. Single or few doses of these drugs seem to be well tolerated, but long-term studies are lacking. New RCTs with bigger samples and longer duration are needed to replicate these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael G Dos Santos
- a ICEERS Foundation (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Services) , Barcelona , Spain.,b Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil.,c Translational Medicine , National Institute of Science and Technology , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
| | - José Carlos Bouso
- a ICEERS Foundation (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Services) , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Alcázar-Córcoles
- d Departamento de Psicología Biológica y de la Salud. Facultad de Psicología , Universidad Autónoma de Madrid , Madrid , Spain
| | - Jaime E C Hallak
- b Department of Neurosciences and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School , University of São Paulo , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil.,c Translational Medicine , National Institute of Science and Technology , Ribeirão Preto , Brazil
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Abstract
Recently, there has been interest in lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin for depression, anxiety and fear of death in terminal illness. The aim of this review is to discuss the potential use of LSD and psilocybin for patients with persistent pain. LSD and psilocybin are 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor agonists and may interact with nociceptive and antinociceptive processing. Tentative evidence from a systematic review suggests that LSD (7 studies, 323 participants) and psilocybin (3 studies, 92 participants) may be beneficial for depression and anxiety associated with distress in life-threatening diseases. LSD and psilocybin are generally safe if administered by a healthcare professional, although further investigations are needed to assess their utility for patients with persistent pain, especially associated with terminal illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy Whelan
- Leeds Pain and Interventional Neuromodulation Service, Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, LS1 3EX2, UK
| | - Mark I Johnson
- Centre for Pain Research, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
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Hendricks PS, Crawford MS, Cropsey KL, Copes H, Sweat NW, Walsh Z, Pavela G. The relationships of classic psychedelic use with criminal behavior in the United States adult population. J Psychopharmacol 2018; 32:37-48. [PMID: 29039233 DOI: 10.1177/0269881117735685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Criminal behavior exacts a large toll on society and is resistant to intervention. Some evidence suggests classic psychedelics may inhibit criminal behavior, but the extent of these effects has not been comprehensively explored. In this study, we tested the relationships of classic psychedelic use and psilocybin use per se with criminal behavior among over 480,000 United States adult respondents pooled from the last 13 available years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2002 through 2014) while controlling for numerous covariates. Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a reduced odds of past year larceny/theft (aOR = 0.73 (0.65-0.83)), past year assault (aOR = 0.88 (0.80-0.97)), past year arrest for a property crime (aOR = 0.78 (0.65-0.95)), and past year arrest for a violent crime (aOR = 0.82 (0.70-0.97)). In contrast, lifetime illicit use of other drugs was, by and large, associated with an increased odds of these outcomes. Lifetime classic psychedelic use, like lifetime illicit use of almost all other substances, was associated with an increased odds of past year drug distribution. Results were consistent with a protective effect of psilocybin for antisocial criminal behavior. These findings contribute to a compelling rationale for the initiation of clinical research with classic psychedelics, including psilocybin, in forensic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Hendricks
- 1 Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Michael Scott Crawford
- 1 Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Karen L Cropsey
- 2 Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Heith Copes
- 3 Department of Criminal Justice, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - N Wiles Sweat
- 1 Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
| | - Zach Walsh
- 4 Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, Canada
| | - Gregory Pavela
- 1 Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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Dolder PC, Liechti ME, Rentsch KM. Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method to quantify lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, and nor-LSD and identify novel metabolites in plasma samples in a controlled clinical trial. J Clin Lab Anal 2017; 32. [PMID: 28548305 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.22265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a widely used recreational drug. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of LSD, iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD (O-H-LSD), and nor-LSD in plasma samples from 24 healthy subjects after controlled administration of 100 μg LSD in a clinical trial. In addition, metabolites that have been recently described in in vitro studies, including lysergic acid monoethylamide (LAE), lysergic acid ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamide (LEO), 2-oxo-LSD, trioxylated-LSD, and 13/14-hydroxy-LSD, should be identified. METHODS Separation of LSD and its metabolites was achieved on a reversed phase chromatography column after turbulent-flow online extraction. For the identification and quantification, a triple-stage quadrupole LC-MS/MS instrument was used. RESULTS The validation data showed slight matrix effects for LSD, iso-LSD, O-H-LSD, or nor-LSD. Mean intraday and interday accuracy and precision were 105%/4.81% and 105%/4.35% for LSD, 98.7%/5.75% and 99.4%/7.21% for iso-LSD, 106%/4.54% and 99.4%/7.21% for O-H-LSD, and 107%/5.82% and 102%/5.88% for nor-LSD, respectively. The limit of quantification was 0.05 ng/mL for LSD, iso-LSD, and nor-LSD and 0.1 ng/mL for O-H-LSD. The limit of detection was 0.01 ng/mL for all compounds. CONCLUSION The method described herein was accurate, precise, and the calibration range within the range of expected plasma concentrations. LSD was quantified in the plasma samples of the 24 subjects of the clinical trial, whereas iso-LSD, O-H-LSD, nor-LSD, LAE, LEO, 13/14-hydroxy-LSD, and 2-oxo-LSD could only sporadically be detected but were too low for quantification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick C Dolder
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Katharina M Rentsch
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital and University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Preller KH, Herdener M, Pokorny T, Planzer A, Kraehenmann R, Stämpfli P, Liechti ME, Seifritz E, Vollenweider FX. The Fabric of Meaning and Subjective Effects in LSD-Induced States Depend on Serotonin 2A Receptor Activation. Curr Biol 2017; 27:451-457. [PMID: 28132813 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 230] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
A core aspect of the human self is the attribution of personal relevance to everyday stimuli enabling us to experience our environment as meaningful [1]. However, abnormalities in the attribution of personal relevance to sensory experiences are also critical features of many psychiatric disorders [2, 3]. Despite their clinical relevance, the neurochemical and anatomical substrates enabling meaningful experiences are largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the neuropharmacology of personal relevance processing in humans by combining fMRI and the administration of the mixed serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine receptor (R) agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), well known to alter the subjective meaning of percepts, with and without pretreatment with the 5-HT2AR antagonist ketanserin. General subjective LSD effects were fully blocked by ketanserin. In addition, ketanserin inhibited the LSD-induced attribution of personal relevance to previously meaningless stimuli and modulated the processing of meaningful stimuli in cortical midline structures. These findings point to the crucial role of the 5-HT2AR subtype and cortical midline regions in the generation and attribution of personal relevance. Our results thus increase our mechanistic understanding of personal relevance processing and reveal potential targets for the treatment of psychiatric illnesses characterized by alterations in personal relevance attribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin H Preller
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Marcus Herdener
- Center for Addictive Disorders, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pokorny
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Planzer
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Rainer Kraehenmann
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Stämpfli
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland; MR Center of the Psychiatric University Hospital and the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Matthias E Liechti
- Psychopharmacology Research, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Hebelstrasse 2, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Erich Seifritz
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Franz X Vollenweider
- Neuropsychopharmacology and Brain Imaging, Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital for Psychiatry Zurich, Lenggstr. 31, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
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Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), described as a classical hallucinogen, began its journey from the middle of the last century following an accidental discovery. Since then, it was used as a popular and notorious substance of abuse in various parts of the world. Its beneficial role as an adjunct to psychotherapy was much unknown, until some 'benevolent' experiments were carried out over time to explore some of its potential uses. But, many of its effects were unclear and seemed to be a psychedelic enigma. In this review article, we have described the receptor pharmacology, mechanism of action, effects and adverse effects of LSD on the normal body system. We have also highlighted its addictive potentials and the chances of developing tolerance. We have assimilated some of the interesting therapeutic uses of this drug, such as an antianxiety agent, a creativity enhancer, a suggestibility enhancer, and a performance enhancer. We have also described LSD to be successfully used in drug and alcohol dependence, and as a part of psychedelic peak therapy in terminally ill patients. The relevant chronological history and literature in the light of present knowledge and scenarios have been discussed. Based on available evidence, LSD could be tried therapeutically in certain specific conditions under controlled settings. But as we mention, due to all the safety concerns, the use of this nonaddictive 'entheogen' in actual practice warrants a lot of expertise, caution, cooperation and ethical considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saibal Das
- Department of Pharmacology, Christian Medical College, Vellore, 632002, India
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Speth J, Speth C, Kaelen M, Schloerscheidt AM, Feilding A, Nutt DJ, Carhart-Harris RL. Decreased mental time travel to the past correlates with default-mode network disintegration under lysergic acid diethylamide. J Psychopharmacol 2016; 30:344-53. [PMID: 26979587 DOI: 10.1177/0269881116628430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
This paper reports on the effects of LSD on mental time travel during spontaneous mentation. Twenty healthy volunteers participated in a placebo-controlled crossover study, incorporating intravenous administration of LSD (75 μg) and placebo (saline) prior to functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Six independent, blind judges analysed mentation reports acquired during structured interviews performed shortly after the functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) scans (approximately 2.5 h post-administration). Within each report, specific linguistic references to mental spaces for the past, present and future were identified. Results revealed significantly fewer mental spaces for the past under LSD and this effect correlated with the general intensity of the drug's subjective effects. No differences in the number of mental spaces for the present or future were observed. Consistent with the previously proposed role of the default-mode network (DMN) in autobiographical memory recollection and ruminative thought, decreased resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) within the DMN correlated with decreased mental time travel to the past. These results are discussed in relation to potential therapeutic applications of LSD and related psychedelics, e.g. in the treatment of depression, for which excessive reflection on one's past, likely mediated by DMN functioning, is symptomatic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Speth
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Clemens Speth
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | - Mendel Kaelen
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - David J Nutt
- Centre for Neuropsychopharmacology, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Strajhar P, Schmid Y, Liakoni E, Dolder PC, Rentsch KM, Kratschmar DV, Odermatt A, Liechti ME. Acute Effects of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide on Circulating Steroid Levels in Healthy Subjects. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28:12374. [PMID: 26849997 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 01/27/2016] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine-2A (5-HT2A ) receptor agonist that is used recreationally worldwide. Interest in LSD research in humans waned after the 1970s, although the use of LSD in psychiatric research and practice has recently gained increasing attention. LSD produces pronounced acute psychedelic effects, although its influence on plasma steroid levels over time has not yet been characterised in humans. The effects of LSD (200 μg) or placebo on plasma steroid levels were investigated in 16 healthy subjects using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study design. Plasma concentration-time profiles were determined for 15 steroids using liquid-chromatography tandem mass-spectrometry. LSD increased plasma concentrations of the glucocorticoids cortisol, cortisone, corticosterone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone compared to placebo. The mean maximum concentration of LSD was reached at 1.7 h. Mean peak psychedelic effects were reached at 2.4 h, with significant alterations in mental state from 0.5 h to > 10 h. Mean maximal concentrations of cortisol and corticosterone were reached at 2.5 h and 1.9 h, and significant elevations were observed 1.5-6 h and 1-3 h after drug administration, respectively. LSD also significantly increased plasma concentrations of the androgen dehydroepiandrosterone but not other androgens, progestogens or mineralocorticoids compared to placebo. A close relationship was found between plasma LSD concentrations and changes in plasma cortisol and corticosterone and the psychotropic response to LSD, and no clockwise hysteresis was observed. In conclusion, LSD produces significant acute effects on circulating steroids, especially glucocorticoids. LSD-induced changes in circulating glucocorticoids were associated with plasma LSD concentrations over time and showed no acute pharmacological tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Strajhar
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Y Schmid
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - E Liakoni
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - P C Dolder
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - K M Rentsch
- Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - D V Kratschmar
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - A Odermatt
- Division of Molecular and Systems Toxicology, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - M E Liechti
- Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Biomedicine and Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Schindler EAD, Gottschalk CH, Weil MJ, Shapiro RE, Wright DA, Sewell RA. Indoleamine Hallucinogens in Cluster Headache: Results of the Clusterbusters Medication Use Survey. J Psychoactive Drugs 2015; 47:372-81. [PMID: 26595349 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2015.1107664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cluster headache is one of the most debilitating pain syndromes. A significant number of patients are refractory to conventional therapies. The Clusterbusters.org medication use survey sought to characterize the effects of both conventional and alternative medications used in cluster headache. Participants were recruited from cluster headache websites and headache clinics. The final analysis included responses from 496 participants. The survey was modeled after previously published surveys and was available online. Most responses were chosen from a list, though others were free-texted. Conventional abortive and preventative medications were identified and their efficacies agreed with those previously published. The indoleamine hallucinogens, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and lysergic acid amide, were comparable to or more efficacious than most conventional medications. These agents were also perceived to shorten/abort a cluster period and bring chronic cluster headache into remission more so than conventional medications. Furthermore, infrequent and non-hallucinogenic doses were reported to be efficacious. Findings provide additional evidence that several indoleamine hallucinogens are rated as effective in treating cluster headache. These data reinforce the need for further investigation of the effects of these and related compounds in cluster headache under experimentally controlled settings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Robert E Shapiro
- c Department of Neurology , University of Vermont College of Medicine , Burlington , VT , USA
| | | | - Richard Andrew Sewell
- d Department of Psychiatry , West Haven Veterans Affairs Hospital , West Haven, CT, and Department of Neurology Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven , CT
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Turkmenoglu FP, Kasirga UB, Celik HH. Ultra-structural hair alterations of drug abusers: a scanning electron microscopic investigation. Int J Clin Exp Med 2015; 8:8803-8811. [PMID: 26309532 PMCID: PMC4538045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
As drug abuse carries a societal stigma, patients do not often report their history of drug abuse to the healthcare providers. However, drug abuse is highly co-morbid with a host of other health problems such as psychiatric disorders and skin diseases, and majority of individuals with drug use disorders seek treatment in the first place for other problems. Therefore, it is very important for physicians to be aware of clinical signs and symptoms of drug use. Recently diagnostic value of dermatologic tissue alterations associated with drug abuse has become a very particular interest because skin changes were reported to be the earliest noticeable consequence of drug abuse prompting earlier intervention and treatment. Although hair is an annex of skin, alterations on hair structure due to drug use have not been demonstrated. This study represents the first report on ultra-structural hair alterations of drug abusers. We have investigated ultra-structure of the hair samples obtained from 6 cocaine, 6 heroin, 7 cannabis and 4 lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) abusers by scanning electron microscope (SEM). SEM analysis of hair samples gave us drug-specific discriminating alterations. We suggest that results of this study will make a noteworthy contribution to cutaneous alterations associated with drug abuse which are regarded as the earliest clinical manifestations, and this SEM approach is a very specific and effective tool in the detection of abuse of respective drugs, leading early treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Pinar Turkmenoglu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hacettepe UniversityAnkara, Turkey
| | - Ugur Baran Kasirga
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Maltepe UniversityIstanbul, Turkey
| | - Hakan Hamdi Celik
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe UniversityAnkara, Turkey
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Hendricks PS, Thorne CB, Clark CB, Coombs DW, Johnson MW. Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. J Psychopharmacol 2015; 29:280-8. [PMID: 25586402 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114565653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Mental health problems are endemic across the globe, and suicide, a strong corollary of poor mental health, is a leading cause of death. Classic psychedelic use may occasion lasting improvements in mental health, but the effects of classic psychedelic use on suicidality are unknown. We evaluated the relationships of classic psychedelic use with psychological distress and suicidality among over 190,000 USA adult respondents pooled from the last five available years of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) while controlling for a range of covariates. Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a significantly reduced odds of past month psychological distress (weighted odds ratio (OR)=0.81 (0.72-0.91)), past year suicidal thinking (weighted OR=0.86 (0.78-0.94)), past year suicidal planning (weighted OR=0.71 (0.54-0.94)), and past year suicide attempt (weighted OR=0.64 (0.46-0.89)), whereas lifetime illicit use of other drugs was largely associated with an increased likelihood of these outcomes. These findings indicate that classic psychedelics may hold promise in the prevention of suicide, supporting the view that classic psychedelics' most highly restricted legal status should be reconsidered to facilitate scientific study, and suggesting that more extensive clinical research with classic psychedelics is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Hendricks
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Christopher B Thorne
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - C Brendan Clark
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - David W Coombs
- Department of Health Behavior, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Matthew W Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Buchborn T, Schröder H, Höllt V, Grecksch G. Repeated lysergic acid diethylamide in an animal model of depression: Normalisation of learning behaviour and hippocampal serotonin 5-HT2 signalling. J Psychopharmacol 2014; 28:545-52. [PMID: 24785760 DOI: 10.1177/0269881114531666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
A re-balance of postsynaptic serotonin (5-HT) receptor signalling, with an increase in 5-HT1A and a decrease in 5-HT2A signalling, is a final common pathway multiple antidepressants share. Given that the 5-HT1A/2A agonist lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), when repeatedly applied, selectively downregulates 5-HT2A, but not 5-HT1A receptors, one might expect LSD to similarly re-balance the postsynaptic 5-HT signalling. Challenging this idea, we use an animal model of depression specifically responding to repeated antidepressant treatment (olfactory bulbectomy), and test the antidepressant-like properties of repeated LSD treatment (0.13 mg/kg/d, 11 d). In line with former findings, we observe that bulbectomised rats show marked deficits in active avoidance learning. These deficits, similarly as we earlier noted with imipramine, are largely reversed by repeated LSD administration. Additionally, bulbectomised rats exhibit distinct anomalies of monoamine receptor signalling in hippocampus and/or frontal cortex; from these, only the hippocampal decrease in 5-HT2 related [(35)S]-GTP-gamma-S binding is normalised by LSD. Importantly, the sham-operated rats do not profit from LSD, and exhibit reduced hippocampal 5-HT2 signalling. As behavioural deficits after bulbectomy respond to agents classified as antidepressants only, we conclude that the effect of LSD in this model can be considered antidepressant-like, and discuss it in terms of a re-balance of hippocampal 5-HT2/5-HT1A signalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Buchborn
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Helmut Schröder
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Volker Höllt
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Gisela Grecksch
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Dawson P, Opacka-Juffry J, Moffatt JD, Daniju Y, Dutta N, Ramsey J, Davidson C. The effects of benzofury (5-APB) on the dopamine transporter and 5-HT2-dependent vasoconstriction in the rat. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2014; 48:57-63. [PMID: 24012617 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2013] [Revised: 08/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
5-APB, commonly marketed as 'benzofury' is a new psychoactive substance and erstwhile 'legal high' which has been implicated in 10 recent drug-related deaths in the UK. This drug was available on the internet and in 'head shops' and was one of the most commonly sold legal highs up until its recent UK temporary ban (UK Home Office). Despite its prominence, very little is known about its pharmacology. This study was undertaken to examine the pharmacology of 5-APB in vitro. We hypothesised that 5-APB would activate the dopamine and 5-HT systems which may underlie its putative stimulant and hallucinogenic effects. Autoradiographic studies showed that 5-APB displaced both [(125)I] RTI-121 and [(3)H] ketanserin from rat brain tissue suggesting affinity at the dopamine transporter and 5-HT2 receptor sites respectively. Voltammetric studies in rat accumbens brain slices revealed that 5-APB slowed dopamine reuptake, and at high concentrations caused reverse transport of dopamine. 5-APB also caused vasoconstriction of rat aorta, an effect antagonised by the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin, and caused contraction of rat stomach fundus, which was reversed by the 5-HT2B receptor antagonist RS-127445. These data show that 5-APB interacts with the dopamine transporter and is an agonist at the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B receptors in the rat. Thus 5-APB's pharmacology is consistent with it having both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. In addition, 5-APB's activity at the 5-HT2B receptor may cause cardiotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Dawson
- Pharmacology and Cell Physiology, Division of Biomedical Science, St George's University of London, London SW17 0RE, United Kingdom
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Mendoza A, López de Alda M, González-Alonso S, Mastroianni N, Barceló D, Valcárcel Y. Occurrence of drugs of abuse and benzodiazepines in river waters from the Madrid Region (Central Spain). Chemosphere 2014; 95:247-255. [PMID: 24083902 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2013.08.085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Revised: 08/22/2013] [Accepted: 08/31/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
This work investigates, for the first time, the occurrence of 10 drugs of abuse, six metabolites, and three benzodiazepines in surface waters from the Jarama and Manzanares Rivers in the Madrid Region, the most densely populated area in Spain and one of the most densely populated in Europe. The results of this study have shown the presence of 14 out of the 19 compounds analyzed at concentrations ranging from 1.45 to 1020 ng L(-1). The most ubiquitous compounds, found in 100% of the samples, were the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine (BE), the amphetamine-like compound ephedrine (EPH), the opioids morphine (MOR), methadone (METH), and the METH metabolite 2-ethylene-1,5-dimethyl-3,3-diphenylpyrrolidine (EDDP), and the three investigated benzodiazepines alprazolam (ALP), diazepam (DIA) and lorazepam (LOR). Meanwhile, the largest concentrations observed corresponded to EPH (up to 1020 ng L(-1)), BE (823 ng L(-1)), EDDP (151 ng L(-1)), and LOR (167 ng L(-1)). The only not detected compounds were heroin (HER) and its metabolite 6-acetylmorphine (6ACM), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and its metabolite 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD (OH-LSD), and Δ(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Overall, the levels measured are comparatively higher than those previously reported in Europe. Comparison of the results obtained for samples collected on different days (Thursday and Sunday) did not show meaningful differences between weekdays and weekends. The lack of (eco)toxicological data does not permit to predict or disregard potential adverse effects on wildlife. Risk assessment in humans would require further knowledge, not currently available, on exposure to these compounds through other routes like drinking water and/or food.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mendoza
- Research Group in Public Health and Toxicology (ToxAmb), Department of Preventive Medicine, Public Health, Immunology and Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas, s/n, E-28922 Alcorcón, Madrid, Spain.
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Hendricks PS, Clark CB, Johnson MW, Fontaine KR, Cropsey KL. Hallucinogen use predicts reduced recidivism among substance-involved offenders under community corrections supervision. J Psychopharmacol 2014; 28:62-6. [PMID: 24399338 DOI: 10.1177/0269881113513851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Hallucinogen-based interventions may benefit substance use populations, but contemporary data informing the impact of hallucinogens on addictive behavior are scarce. Given that many individuals in the criminal justice system engage in problematic patterns of substance use, hallucinogen treatments also may benefit criminal justice populations. However, the relationship between hallucinogen use and criminal recidivism is unknown. In this longitudinal study, we examined the relationship between naturalistic hallucinogen use and recidivism among individuals under community corrections supervision with a history of substance involvement (n=25,622). We found that hallucinogen use predicted a reduced likelihood of supervision failure (e.g. noncompliance with legal requirements including alcohol and other drug use) while controlling for an array of potential confounding factors (odds ratio (OR)=0.60 (0.46, 0.79)). Our results suggest that hallucinogens may promote alcohol and other drug abstinence and prosocial behavior in a population with high rates of recidivism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Hendricks
- 1Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, USA
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46
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Abstract
One of the main obstacles faced by translational neuroscience is the development of animal models of psychiatric disorders. Behavioural pharmacology studies indicate that psychedelic drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and dissociative drugs, such as phencyclidine (PCP), induce in healthy human volunteers psychotic and cognitive symptoms that resemble some of those observed in schizophrenia patients. Serotonin 5-HT2A and metabotropic glutamate 2 receptors have been involved in the mechanism of action of psychedelic and dissociative drugs. Here we review recent advances using LSD-like and PCP-like drugs in rodent models that implicate these receptors in the neurobiology of schizophrenia and its treatment.
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Goda SA, Piasecka J, Olszewski M, Kasicki S, Hunt MJ. Serotonergic hallucinogens differentially modify gamma and high frequency oscillations in the rat nucleus accumbens. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2013; 228:271-82. [PMID: 23525524 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-013-3057-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is a site critical for the actions of many drugs of abuse. Psychoactive compounds, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonists, modify gamma (40-90) and high frequency oscillations (HFO, 130-180 Hz) in local field potentials (LFPs) recorded in the NAc. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) are serotonergic hallucinogens and activation of 5HT2A receptors likely underlies their hallucinogenic effects. Whether these compounds can also modulate LFP oscillations in the NAc is unclear. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the effect of serotonergic hallucinogens on gamma and HFO recorded in the NAc and to test whether 5HT2A receptors mediate the effects observed. METHODS LFPs were recorded from the NAc of freely moving rats. Drugs were administered intraperitoneally. RESULTS LSD (0.03-0.3 mg/kg) and DOI (0.5-2.0 mg/kg) increased the power and reduced the frequency of HFO. In contrast, the hallucinogens produced a robust reduction in the power of low (40-60 Hz), but not high gamma oscillations (70-90 Hz). MDL 11939 (1.0 mg/kg), a 5HT2A receptor antagonist, fully reversed the changes induced by DOI on HFO but only partially for the low gamma band. Equivalent increases in HFO power were observed after TCB-2 (5HT2A receptor agonist, 0.1-1.5 mg/kg), but not CP 809101 (5H2C receptor agonist, 0.1-3 mg/kg). Notably, hallucinogen-induced increases in HFO power were smaller than those produced by ketamine (25 mg/kg). CONCLUSIONS Serotonergic hallucinogen-induced changes in HFO and gamma are mediated, at least in part, by stimulation of 5HT2A receptors. Comparison of the oscillatory changes produced by serotonergic hallucinogens and NMDAR antagonists are also discussed.
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Green AR. Gaddum and LSD: the birth and growth of experimental and clinical neuropharmacology research on 5-HT in the UK. Br J Pharmacol 2008; 154:1583-99. [PMID: 18516072 PMCID: PMC2518468 DOI: 10.1038/bjp.2008.207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2008] [Revised: 04/25/2008] [Accepted: 04/30/2008] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The vasoconstrictor substance named serotonin was identified as 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) by Maurice Rapport in 1949. In 1951, Rapport gave Gaddum samples of 5-HT substance allowing him to develop a bioassay to both detect and measure the amine. Gaddum and colleagues rapidly identified 5-HT in brain and showed that lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) antagonized its action in peripheral tissues. Gaddum accordingly postulated that 5-HT might have a role in mood regulation. This review examines the role of UK scientists in the first 20 years following these major discoveries, discussing their role in developing assays for 5-HT in the CNS, identifying the enzymes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of 5-HT and investigating the effect of drugs on brain 5-HT. It reviews studies on the effects of LSD in humans, including Gaddum's self-administration experiments. It outlines investigations on the role of 5-HT in psychiatric disorders, including studies on the effect of antidepressant drugs on the 5-HT concentration in rodent and human brain, and the attempts to examine 5-HT biochemistry in the brains of patients with depressive illness. It is clear that a rather small group of both preclinical scientists and psychiatrists in the UK made major advances in our understanding of the role of 5-HT in the brain, paving the way for much of the knowledge now taken for granted when discussing ways that 5-HT might be involved in the control of mood and the idea that therapeutic drugs used to alleviate psychiatric illness might alter the function of cerebral 5-HT.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Green
- Institute of Neuroscience, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queen's Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
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Ban TA. The role of serendipity in drug discovery. Dialogues Clin Neurosci 2006; 8:335-44. [PMID: 17117615 PMCID: PMC3181823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Serendipity is one of the many factors that may contribute to drug discovery. It has played a role in the discovery of prototype psychotropic drugs that led to modern pharmacological treatment in psychiatry. It has also played a role in the discovery of several drugs that have had an impact on the development of psychiatry. "Serendipity" in drug discovery implies the finding of one thing while looking for something else. This was the case in six of the twelve serendipitous discoveries reviewed in this paper, i.e., aniline purple, penicillin, lysergic acid diethylamide, meprobamate, chlorpromazine, and imipramine. In the case of three drugs, i.e., potassium bromide, chloral hydrate, and lithium, the discovery was serendipitous because an utterly false rationale led to correct empirical results; and in case of two others, i.e., iproniazid and sildenafil, because valuable indications were found for these drugs which were not initially those sought The discovery of one of the twelve drugs, chlordiazepoxide, was sheer luck.
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Delorme R, Betancur C, Callebert J, Chabane N, Laplanche JL, Mouren-Simeoni MC, Launay JM, Leboyer M. Platelet serotonergic markers as endophenotypes for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Neuropsychopharmacology 2005; 30:1539-47. [PMID: 15886722 PMCID: PMC1885456 DOI: 10.1038/sj.npp.1300752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Although compelling evidence has shown that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has a strong genetic component, its genetic basis remains to be elucidated. Identifying biological abnormalities in nonaffected relatives is one of the strategies advocated to isolate genetic vulnerability factors in complex disorders. Since peripheral serotonergic disturbances are frequently observed in OCD patients, the aim of this study was to investigate if they could represent endophenotypes, by searching for similar abnormalities in the unaffected parents of OCD patients. We assessed whole blood serotonin (5-HT) concentration, platelet 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) and 5-HT2A receptor-binding characteristics, and platelet inositol trisphosphate (IP3) content in a sample of OCD probands (n = 48) and their unaffected parents (n = 65), and compared them with sex- and age-matched controls (n = 113). Lower whole blood 5-HT concentration, fewer platelet 5-HTT-binding sites, and higher platelet IP3 content were found in OCD probands and their unaffected parents compared to controls. Whole blood 5-HT concentration showed a strong correlation within families (p < 0.001). The only parameter that appeared to discriminate affected and unaffected subjects was 5-HT2A receptor-binding characteristics, with increased receptor number and affinity in parents and no change in OCD probands. The presence of peripheral serotonergic abnormalities in OCD patients and their unaffected parents supports a familial origin of these disturbances. These alterations may serve as endophenotypic markers in OCD, and could contribute to the study of the biological mechanisms and genetic underpinnings of the disorder.
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