Chemistry of LSD and Route of Access Essay -- Chemistry Chemical Scien

Chemistry of LSD and Route of Access Classification Pharmacologically, the commonly abused hallucinogenic substances may be divided into two major groups. The indolealkylamines, including d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) bear a structural resemblance to the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). The phenylethylamines, including mescaline and the phenylisopropylamines such as 2, 5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM, "STP"), are structurally related to dopamine, norepinephrine, and the amphetamines (Gelenberg, Bassuk, Schoonover 1991). Doses Usual doses range from about 25 micrograms to more than 300 micrograms. LSD is known to posses a low level of toxicity; the effective dose is about 50 micrograms while the lethal dose is about 14,000 micrograms. These figures provide a therapeutic ratio of 280, making the drug a remarkably nonlethal compound (Julien 2001). Pharmacology d-Lysergic acid diethylamide is a synthetic hallucinogen derived from an extract of the ergot fungus. The drug is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It is usually ingested as part of a pill or dissolved on a piece of paper (Gelenberg, Bassuk, Schoonover 1991). LSD is often added to other substances, such as the back of stamps, or sugar cubes, which can be handled more easily (Julien 2001). Following oral administration, the drug is well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and distributed to body tissues. Only small amounts are detected in the brain, however (Gelenberg, Bassuk, Schoonover 1991). It also crosses the placenta. The largest amounts of LSD in the body are found in the liver, where the drug is metabolized be... ...emoved from the reaction mixture and can be re-employed in other conversions (Making LSD in the Laboratory, 2005). References Gelenberg, A.J., & Bassuk, E.L., & Schoonover, S.C. (1991). The Practitioner's Guide to Psychoactive Drugs. 3rd. Ed. (pp. 288, 290). New York: Plenum Publishing Corporation. Julien, R. M. (2001). A Primer of Drug Action. (p. 234). New York: Worth Publishers. Stockley. (2002). Stockley's Drug Interactions. (pp. 906-907). Great Britain: The Bath Press. Strang, M. (2004). LSD and Psilocybin- Serotonergic Hallucinogens: Route of access, brain metabolism, and neurochemical effects. February 24 2005, from The Shroomery. http://www.shroomery.org/index/par/25277. (2005). Making LSD in the Laboratory. February 28 2005, from Temple of the Screaming Electron. http://www.totse.com/en/drugs/psychedelics/lablsd.html