Notes
Slide Show
Outline
1
Psilocybin
  • Presentation by:
  • Gumby
2
General Information
  • Where found
    • Mushrooms
    • 186 species
    • 6 continents
  • Legality
    • Illegal in US
    • Schedule I drug
  • History
    • Used for thousands of years
    • Used in 1960s for psychotherapy
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Physical effects
  • Chemicals involved
    • Psilocybin converted to psilocin in liver
    • Psilocin able to cross BBB
  • Where/How it works
    • Binds with 5-HT2A receptors
    • Also with 5-HT1A sites
    • Inhibits serotonin
    • Possible increase in dopamine
    • Not 100% sure why it works
  • Other
    • LSD and mescaline bind with same sites
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Psychoactive effects
  • Changes perception
    • Visual Hallucinations
    • Synesthesia
    • Introspection of thoughts
    • Illusions
  • Emotional effects
    • Euphoria
    • Extreme paranoia/anxiety/
      fear
    • Feelings of unity
  • Other
    • High doses: ego loss
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Current Research
  • Treating diseases
    • OCD
    • Alcoholism
    • Addiction
  • Research has shown
    • Not addictive/No reinforcing properties
    • Impairs high level motion perception
    • State of mind similar to schizophrenia
    • Can cause HPPD (flashbacks)
    • Probably not neurotoxic
    • No harm to organs
    • Works only on brain
    • No D2 affinity
    • Interferes with attention span
    • Alters auditory perception
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Future use and research
  • Treatment Options
    • Addiction
    • Psychological diseases
  • MAPS Organization
    • Treatment of OCD
    • Treatment of cluster headaches
    • Cancer patients
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Any Questions?