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─────────────────────── 1. Definition The definition of the term alkaloid is not a simple one, and is in many cases a source of academic controversy. Difficulties with the definition of such a group of secondary and natural molecules as alkaloids stem from similarities of alkaloids with other secondary compounds. Attempts to define the term “alkaloid” originated at the time of the discovery of these compounds. Friedrich Sertürner, an apothecary’s assistant from Westphalia, first isolated morphine (Figure 1), one of the most important alkaloids in the applied sense 1 . This was in 1805, and proved a significant step forward in chemistry and pharmacology 2,3,4 . Using the method developed by Friedrich Sertürner, the pharmacists Pierre Joseph Pelletier and Joseph Benaimé Caventou isolated, from 1817 to 1821, a remarkable range of other alkaloids (Figure 2), such as brucine (a close relative of strychnine), febrifuge, quinine, caffeine and veratrine 1,5 . The term “alkaloid” was first m...

Claudio Naranjo. The Healing Journey: New Approaches to Consciousness. 1973. Ballantine Books. SBN: 345-24328-5-150 . Chapter 4. Harmaline and the Collective Unconscious, pages 121, 166–168 My lack of further experience with pure harmaline derives from my having been engaged, since the time of the above research, in the study of harmaline combinations: harmaline-MDA, harmaline-TMA ¹, harmaline-mescaline and others. ¹ TMA: trimethoxyamphetamine. I want to end this chapter by pointing out that, useful as pure harmaline can be in psychotherapy, the therapist employing the drug should always keep in mind the fact that some individuals are rather unsusceptible to its psychological effects. As was mentioned earlier, some of them may have no more than a physical reaction to the drug, an unpleasant state of malaise, somnolence, and vomiting that is most probably the result of a conversion reaction. Early in our work with harmaline, we formed the impression that these “untoward reactions” (cons...

Inhibition by β-carbolines of monoamine uptake into a synaptosomal preparation: Structure-activity relationships. Buckholtz, N. S., Boggan, W. O. 1977. Life Sciences, 20(12), 2093–2100. 10.1016/0024-3205(77)90190-4 Charleston, S.C. 29401 (Received in final form May 23, 1977) The potency of a series of β-carboline compounds to inhibit ³H-serotonin (³H-5-HT) uptake into a synaptosomal suspension from mouse brain was studied. The in vitro structure-activity study showed the tetrahydro-β-carbolines to be the most potent inhibitors compared to unsaturated β-carbolines. In vitro inhibition of ³H-norepinephrine (³H-NE) and ³H-dopamine (³H-DA) uptake was determined for some tetrahydro-β-carbolines, and the degree of inhibition of uptake of these amines was less than that for ³H-5-HT. EC50s being 5-13 times those for ³H-5-HT. The tetrahydro-β-carbolines were also found to effectively inhibit ³H-5-HT but not ³H-NE or ³H-DA uptake ...

Positive Comments from the Reports Mild Positive Experiences "The effects were soft and subtle, but definitely there. I had an overall feeling of peace and tranquility; a flowing gentleness that seemed to wash over me."[ 1 ] "The best part of the trip was just walking in the park and enjoying a beautiful day in May."[ 2 ] "It was a mild, though pleasant, trip and worth more research."[ 3 ] "I think amanitas mushrooms are worth exploring and next time I'll try a higher dosage."[ 4 ] Visual Effects "I was seeing geometric shapes, I stared into the light bulb, closed my eyes and focused on the orange circle in my mind, I opened my eyes and the circle was blue and moving on the wall. I will try this mixture again."[ 5 ] Extended Positive Experience "This has overall been a good trip, not many bad thoughts, just 'fast' thinking, and really get into ideas."[ 6 ] "I have not experienced any type of 'wit...

Yes, there is evidence that brucine can induce analgesia, particularly in preclinical models of neuropathic, inflammatory, and acute pain, where it reduces pain responses via mechanisms like sodium channel modulation and anti-inflammatory effects. For instance, studies show brucine alleviates neuropathic pain in mice by decreasing sodium currents, and it exhibits protective effects against thermal and chemical stimuli in hot-plate and writhing tests.[1][2][3][4][5] However, strychnine does not induce analgesia—evidence actually points to the opposite, as it often causes hyperalgesia (increased pain sensitivity) or allodynia (pain from non-painful stimuli) by antagonizing glycine receptors, leading to neuronal hyperexcitability.[6][7][8] In fact, strychnine is frequently used in research to block analgesia mediated by glycine receptors, antagonizing pain-relieving effects of other compounds like anesthetics.[9][10][11] Regarding potential improvements to analgesia: For brucine, yes—this...

Ayahuasca is the Quechua word for a vine known to Western people by its most common Latin name, Banisteriopsis caapi , historically used by many indigenous Amazonian tribes for shamanism, sorcery, divination, and healing. For those who drink ayahuasca, the vine is often perceived as a plant spirit that engages the mind, body, and spirit into a dialogue of personal understanding and healing. The primary ingredient in an ayahuasca brew is the vine Banisteriopsis caapi , commonly revered as the mother of all plants. Other plants are added to the vine brew, typically those containing DMT, such as Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana , and also many other plants not containing DMT, called admixtures, whose capacities are considered to be activated by the ayahuasca vine. In the Amazon, there is no traditional understanding of the existence of DMT per se, just that adding DMT-containing plants such as Psychotria viridis will give the ayahuasca brew more 'light' and visionary ...