Lecture Notes on Psychedelics
Introduction
Speaker: Michael Pollan, Author of This Is Your Mind on Plants
Topic: Answering questions on Twitter about psychedelics
LSD and Its Effects
How Does LSD Work?
- Molecule Structure: Similar to serotonin (important neurotransmitter for mood, etc.)
- Receptor Binding: LSD fits serotonin receptors more snugly than serotonin itself, lasting longer
- Agonist: Activates receptors causing various effects
- Unknowns: Cascading effects leading to changes in perception & consciousness not fully understood
Concerns About LSD Inducing Psychosis
- No confirmed cases of memory erasure or brain rewrites from LSD
- Psychotic breaks possible but very rare
- Caution especially if predisposed to schizophrenia
Avoiding a Bad Trip
- Flight Instructions (from research trials):
- Don't fight sensations of going crazy, dying, or dissolving
- Surrender and relax
- Guided experiences recommended for support and processing
Concept of Ego Death
- Meaning: Sense of self dissolves, possible ecstatic experience
- Personal Experience: Michael's example of self-explosion into post-it notes
- Implications: Can result in feelings of merging with cosmos/nature/others
Microdosing
- Definition: Tiny doses of psychedelics (1/10 of normal dose)
- Purpose: Claimed to improve well-being, productivity, creativity
- Evidence: Effectiveness still undetermined; placebo effect likely
Geometric Hallucinations from DMT
- Differences attributed to set (expectations) and setting (environment)
- Organic vs Synthetic Drugs: Organic (e.g., mushrooms) have natural imagery; synthetic (e.g., DMT) often geometric
Medical Applications of Psychedelics
LSD and Schizophrenia
- Advice: Not advisable due to potential for worsening conditions
- Psychedelics introduce entropy which may be harmful for already disordered brains
Treating Anxiety with Psilocybin
- Cancer Patients: Psilocybin helps confront mortality, reducing anxiety about death
- Outcome: Provides peace and equanimity beneficial to end-of-life experience
Ayahuasca and Addiction
- Some evidence supporting treatment of depression, less clear on addiction
- Promise in treating various addictions using different psychedelics
DMT Entities
- Common Experience: Reporting of elf-like creatures during DMT trips
- Terence McKenna's Theory: Popularized observation; requires more research
Schedule I Drug Paradox
- Definition: No accepted medical use (legal classification)
- Current Research: Promising findings for addiction and mental health treatment
- Discrepancy between legal status and medical research findings
History of LSD
- Albert Hoffman's Discovery: Accidental exposure, initial belief of insanity followed by profound experience
Visual Impairment and Psychedelics
- Unanswered question about effects on blind individuals
Research and Policy
Peyote vs Other Psychedelics
- Peyote: Limited supply, used by Native Americans, not suitable for extensive research
- Mescaline: Synthetic variant studied instead, practical challenges
Federal Research Barriers
- Funding Issues: Lack of federal support due to drugs' controversial status
- Exceptions: Limited NIH funding, emerging instances of federal support
Changing Perceptions
- 60s Baggage: Negative reputation from disruptive societal impact
- Future Outlook: Potential recognition as important mental health treatment
Final Note: Psychedelics are illegal and risky; proceed with caution.
Platform: Psychedelics Support