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Herbal Highs: Effects and
Consequences
Andrea Zangara
Flordis Natural Medicines
Medicinal Plant Research Centre (Newcastle University, UK)
Brain Science Institute (Swinburne University, AU)
• symptoms caused by ‘crack’ may be more persistent
• large doses can directly damage neurons
• physical damage
Cocaine mix • Alcohol: cocaethylene extends effects and increases
cardiovascular toxicity
• Amphetamines: rare, similar effects; increase toxicity and cardiac stress
• Cannabis: smoked to relax (might increase blood pressure and heart rate)
• Ecstasy: popular mix as ‘dance drug’; increases physical and mental stress
• Heroine: ‘speedball’, the 2 drugs amplify each other and the heart can ‘lose rhythm’
• Ketamine: popular mix for dancing
• Viagra: can be dangerous (cardiovascular)
Amphetamine: background
• 1924 ephedrine isolated from Chinese ma
huang (Ephedra vulgaris)
• replaced by synthesised amphetamine in
1927
– rediscovered from 1887 as ephedrine substitute
• chemical structure related to adrenaline and
noradrenalin
• widely used in military scenarios (to this day)
• popular recreational drug in certain
subcultures
Amphetamines
• Speed (amphetamine sulphate)
• Base
• Methamphetamine
• Ritalin
Amphetamines: effects
• snorted, injected, smoked, ingested
• administration influences onset
• effects similar to cocaine but longer
• CNS continually stimulated
• suppression of appetite, sleep, increased concentration, confidence
• grinding teeth
• ‘crash’, in 3-8 hours
Amphetamines: risks and
consequences • risk of overdose (injection)
• chronic use: paranoia, tension, depression, fatigue, total exhaustion
• chronic use and large acute intake can trigger amphetamine psychosis (paranoia, obsessions)
• highly addictive
• tolerance is rapid
• withdrawal = opposite symptoms
Amphetamines mix
• Additional strain on the heart and increased blood pressure
• Alcohol: very popular, can drink more
• Cannabis: to relax
• Cocaine: similar effects, increase cardiovascular risk
• MDMA: extend and intensify; body temperature up
• Heroine: popular mix, decreases paranoia
• Ketamine: perception changes (time)
• Magic mushrooms: more paranoia
• Tobacco: more cigarettes
LSD (acids, trips)
• Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
• Synthetic, with profound effects on perception and cognition at very low doses (40-150 mcg)
• LSD has main effects on 5-HT (serotonin) neurons
• Colourless, odourless, tasteless: generally LSD is typically delivered orally, usually on a substrate such as absorbent blotted paper, sugar, or gelatine
• Difficult to understand quality and quantity as it rapidly degrades
• Related to both amphetamines and hallucinogenic (DA e
5HT)
• Empathogens as first ‘designer drugs’
• MDMA, MDA, MDE, 2CB, 2CT, 4-MTA, DOB....
• In pills and powder form (md)
• Effects starts after 20-40 mins, and last 4-5 hours
• Physiological effects similar to amphetamine
• Positive feelings of elation, euphoria, and closeness to others, appreciation of music and touch; replaced by depression and lethargy in the days afterwards
• Regular use may be neurotoxic, with prolonged serotonergic damage
Self-reported memory deficits in
recreational drug users:
findings from web-based studies Andrew Scholey, Jacqui Rodgers, Tom Buchanan,
Tom Heffernan, Jonathan Ling and Andy Parrott 1Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, University of Northumbria
2Doctorate in Clinical Psychology, University of Newcastle 3Department of Psychology, University of Westminster
4Psychology Department, Keele University 5Department of Psychology, University of Swansea
Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit www.hcnu.com
Sydney ICOM July 2006
Summary • self-report data are consistent with laboratory
studies of memory deficits and other impairment
• internet provides insights into perceived problems and motivations
• future studies should include – online cognitive testing
– use of PRMQ
– relationship between subjective and objective measures
– prospective longitudinal studies starting in schools?
Gender effects
• Recent reports have
suggested that women
are more susceptible
than men to acute and
sub-acute effects of
ecstasy
• We found no gender
differences
– chronic effects equivalent
in males and females?
– chronic effects lead to
poorer calibration?
males females
RE
PO
RT
ED
ER
RO
RS
0
1
2
3
males females
ER
RO
RS
0.0
0.5
1.0
PMQ-LT
ERRORS COMPLETING FORM
Rodgers et al (2003) J Psychopharmacology 17, 379-386
Heat, ecstasy and LT-PM
• animal literature
indicates contribution
of hyperthermia to
MDMA serotonergic
toxicity
• here individuals who
stated that they
danced and became
hot while on ecstasy
reported more PM-LT
difficulties
Parrott et al (2006) Hum Psychopharmacology In press
Chronic physiological
effects of MDMA
• Demonstrated to
cause serious 5-HT
neurodegeneration
• In humans regions
of destruction
– Hippocampus
– Frontal cortex
Ketamine
• Dissociative anaesthetic : sense of
detachment from one's physical body
• Appearance: powder, tablets, liquid
• Effects last 45-60 minutes: from mild stimulation to out-of-body and near-death experiences
• Ketamine blocks glutamate activity, the result
is a temporary shut down of some brain areas
(K-hole)
Ketamine: risks and
consequences • ketamine can be extremely habit forming
• relatively safe
• dangerous in combination with other depressants
• danger of physical harm
• chronic use: troubles in digesting properly, urinating, memory weakening, alienated and dissociated states
• tolerance develops quickly, but no withdrawal (restlessness)
The use of psychoactive
plants
Humans have a natural drive to pursue
ecstatic experiences
All cultures have developed methods
for inducing such experiences
Every culture in the world (has) used
psychoactive plants
Cannabis
• The most used drug (illegal)
• Hashish 10-20% THC
• Marijuana 5-15%
• Smoked
• Ingested
• Over sixty active cannabinoids identified
• most prominent intoxicant
- D9-tetrahydrocannabinol (D9-THC)
– also e.g. D8-THC (relatively little)
• up to 20% of dry weight leaf
• also cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD)
– not themselves active
– may alter potency of active ingredients
• burning also modifies CBD into THC
• content is variable and changing historically
• Modern strains contains up to 3 times THC
Active ingredients
Cannabis and psychosis
• International Cannabis and Mental Health
Conference (2007): CBD as anti psychotic;
THC seems to interact with brain areas
related to paranoia and anxiety
• amisulpride and CBD in 42 psychotic
patients: improvement of symptoms and less
side effects with CBD (Leweke, 2007)
• CBD modulates THC?
• New strains unbalanced?
Legal / Herbal Highs
• Legal mind-altering substances, which cause similar
(Spyce) • Herbal blend that claims to be a legal substitute for
cannabis
• Advertised as an ‘exotic incense blend which
releases a rich aroma’ and ‘not for human
consumption’
• Some of the declared ingredients are plants
traditionally known as ‘marijuana substitutes’
• Most of the ingredients listed on the packaging are
actually not present in the Spice products
• It is assumed effects described by users are due to
added synthetic cannabinoids
Information fom Dr. R. Sedefov, Lisbon, 15 June 2009
Synthetic Cannabinoids
(Spyce) • In 2008 a new psychoactive substance JWH-018 a
cannabinoid receptor (CB) agonist identified in Spice
products in Austria
• Chemical structure differs substantially from THC, but
it produces similar effects and more potent
• Several synthetic cannabinoids discovered
afterwards across EU
• No pharmaceutical product has emerged, no human studies carried out
• Little is known about metabolism and toxicology. The health risk of the inhaled smoke is unknown
Synthetic Cannabinoids
(Spice) • In the case of JWH-018 it can be assumed that due to
structural features there may be a certain carcinogenic potential?
• Active in low doses; accidental overdosing with a risk of severe psychiatric complications because the type and amount of cannabinoid may vary considerably
• In general, there may be a risk for the appearance of a full CB receptor agonists; leading to life threatening conditions if overdosed?
• Seems that tolerance may develop fairly fast; arguably this might be associated with relatively high potential to cause dependence
Salvia divinorum
• The Salvia genus is part of the Lamiaceae family (more commonly called the Mint family). The Mint family contains over 200 genera and 3,500 species
• Salvia has a long history of use by the by the
Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico for divination,
entheogenic, and healing purposes
• Dried leaves: smoked (bong), chewed; solid or liquid
extracts (5x-100x)
• The main active chemical in Salvia divinorum is
called salvinorin A
Salvia: Effects and
Consequences • Salvinorin A is an extremely powerful consciousness
altering compound
• When the herb is consumed either by smoking the
dried leaf or chewing the fresh leaves the effects are
usually (but not always) pleasant
• When the dose goes above 500 - 1000 mcg the
effects can be excessive –always need a ‘sitter’
• Hallucinogenic – psychedelic effect, but short (3’5
min), powerful, immediate; not a ‘dance drug’
• May trigger latent psychological and mental problems
• Illegal from 2005 in some EU
Salvia: Effects and
Consequences
• Most harms resulting from the use of psychoactive
drugs like salvia occur as a result of people injuring
themselves when under the influence of the drug
• There is some concern that salvia could trigger
psychotic episodes particularly in young people and
vulnerable individuals with latent mental health
problems
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose
(Argyreia nervosa)
• LSA, simile a LSD (also Ipomoea)
• Medical use: bronchitis, cough, diabetes,
syphilis, tuberculosis, and other maladies. Also
as aphrodisiacs, tonics, cognitive enhancer
• Dose: 3-8 seeds in little pieces
• Effect similar to LSD but more narcotic
• Nausea (remove coating)
• Overdosing is rare
• Trigger psychosis or psychotic states
Kratom
• Mitragyna speciosa is the botanical name of the plant
• From South East Asia; Kratom has been used as medicine in Thailand since ancient times
• The primary active chemicals in kratom are mitragynine
• At lower doses, has physically stimulating effect. At larger doses it is more sedating, with a relaxed, euphoric cerebral sensation, with some pain relieving properties (similar to those of a mild opioid like codeine)
Effects and Consequences
• Can ease the discomfort of withdrawl from opium and
opium based substances like heroin, morphine
• There is a chance of becoming addicted (if only
psychologically) to kratom if abused
• When taken orally, the effects of kratom can be felt
about 30-60 minutes after ingestion, and the peak
lasts 2-3 hours. When smoked, the effects start
quicker and last about 60-90 minutes
• The only common negative comment about kratom is
that it causes nausea at high doses
Other natural psychedelics
• Cacti: Peyote / San Pedro (mescaline)
• Ayahuasca (dmt / armaline)
• Yopo (dmt)
• Iboga (ibogaine)
• Generally not considered ‘trendy’ and
used only by experienced people
RESULTS Sample characteristics
The average age of the interviewees was 24±5 years, 65 (64.4%) of whom were males, 36 (35.6%) females. Female smartshop customers were significantly younger than males (22.6±3.6 vs. 24.9±4.7, p=0.014). The average age at first visit to a smartshop was 20±3.8.
80.2% of the interviewees had bought energy drinks from a smartshop, 76.2% magic mushrooms, 58.4% herbs, 49.5% herbal XTC, 47.5% smart nutrients, 33.7% nootropics, and 20.8% strong psychoactive herbs. The strongest the product, the more the customer tend to be older and informed on the effects and consequences
Conclusions: a missed
chance? • Psychedelic herbs when out of their context or in forms different
from traditional use may produce dangerous and unwanted effects
• Smartshops should be honest source of information and literature
on the contents, effect and safety of legal highs, never instigate or
push use of anything
• The original concept was not to provide completely safe products,
but safer than illegal drugs and identifiable, and to give enough
information for the safest use
• The smart concept should include health and safety monitoring,
quality and purity of products, liaison with health and regulatory
authorities
• Today’s trend seems only to get easy and fast money, and trick the
law with new and potentially dangerous synthetic molecules,
representing a serious hazardr to public health
• A new and effective legal framework is urgently needed