Hallucinogens

Abstract

This chapter discusses recent development in hallucinogens. The main progress in the field of hallucinogens has been in the chemistry of marihuana and ergot alkaloids, understanding of the biosynthesis of mescaline, evaluation of new psychotherapeutic agents, and in understanding their mechanism of action. Novel cannabinoid-containing cyclic peroxide has been isolated from the pyridine catalyzed reaction between citral and olivetol. A reagent for the epimerization of simpler amides of D-lysergic acid at C-8 was described. A novel route for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydrolysergates from 5-bromoisatin was developed. Neurochemical studies in the mouse reinforce the suggestion that brain amines are involved in some way, which is quite different from any other psychotropic drug. The administration of ∆1-tetrahydrocannabinol showed an increase of concentration of 5-HTP in whole brain, decrease of NE after low doses and an increase after high doses. The duration of effect on body temperature and spontaneous activity correlated generally with the changes in the brain amines. Acetylcholine was found to complex molecularly with noradrenochrome, which was suggested as a factor responsible for the hallucinogenic activity of the aminochromes. © 1970, Academic Press, Inc.