Mind Alerting Science Convention Notes Day 2

Day 2

• Similarities of Physiological and Psychoactive Drug Induced States, By Torsten Passie - Hannover Medical School; Germany
⁃ Researched with entactogens and LSD
⁃ Matrix Framework *MDMA states are almost identical to those of a individual post-orgasm.
⁃ Similarities of Psychological States
⁃ Neurobiological activation patterns
⁃ Hypnagogic and Hallucinogen induced states.
⁃ MDMA and Post-orgasmic states
⁃ Patterns of experience
⁃ Hypnogogic State [Sensory deprivation compared to LSD induced states]
⁃ Dream-like absorption in experience
⁃ Mental Imagery
⁃ Altered time and decreased concentration
⁃ Cognitive disturbances
⁃ CNS Arousal - Two forms of Hypnogogic
⁃ Decreased pre-sleep state hypovigilant
⁃ Increased psychedelic state hypervigilant
⁃ Effects of MDMA
⁃ Erection difficulty, no sex-drive, and difficulties achieving an orgasm
⁃ Orgasm releases prolactin, if orgasm is not achieved after arousal prolactin levels drop.
⁃ When MDMA is given prolactin levels sky rocket even though there is no apparent arousal.
⁃ Hyperventilation Study *CO2 levels dropped considerably during the 30 minutes of breathing.
⁃ Deep psychophysical relaxation
⁃ These effects of 30 minutes of deep hyperventilation produce similar brain reactions to an MDMA and post-orgasmic situations.
⁃ Conclusion - There are definite patterns of experience between psychotropic drugs and altered states of mind.

• Clinical Research on Ayahuasca - Basic Pharmacology and Neuroimaging, By Jordi Riba - University of Barcelona
⁃ Robert Spruce discovered the Banisteriopses caapi
⁃ Manuel Villavicencio (1858) discovered the visionary effects of the caapi plant.
⁃ Alkaloid Content of Ayahuasca with B. cap and P. viridis
⁃ Harmine (Chen and Chen) - 1939 discovered
⁃ Pharmacology of DMT
⁃ Powerful Psychedelics
⁃ Binds to the 5-HT2A receptor, antagonist
⁃ Substitutes for DOM, LSD, and Mescaline
⁃ Pharmacology of B-carbolines
⁃ No clear psychedelic activity
⁃ Binds to 5-HT2A receptor, not antagonizing
⁃ Strong MAOi
⁃ What impact does ayahuasca have on the body?
⁃ Is ayahuasca responsible for the dosage?
⁃ How effective is the B-carbolines and DMT interactions?
⁃ Which brain processes are antagonized by ayahuasca?
⁃ Does the experience increase with dose?
⁃ The consumption of ayahuasca activates the frontal cortex and paralimbic areas. The same areas activated with insula in recalling emotional memories and with deep meditation.

• Molecules of Mysticism - Pharmacology and Anthropology, By Konstantin Knteykin Teplyakou
⁃ Chemical agents that are able to induce a mystical experience.
⁃ The shape of many prominent churches in Europe are directly related to the shape and distribution of Psilocybe semilanceata.
⁃ Exogentic Molecules - Tryptamines, Phenethylamines, Cannabinoids, NMDA-anatagonists, Deliriants.
⁃ Endogenous Molecules - 5-HT, Dopamine, DMT, Endocannabinoids, Neuropeptides, Serotonergic and Dopaminergic antagonists.

• LSD Assisted Psychotherapy - The First Results from the Swiss Follow-Up Study, By Katharina Kirchner - Zurich, Switzerland
⁃ LSD associated therapy for anxiety with advanced-stage life threatening illnesses.
⁃ How it effects long term daily life?
⁃ 121 replies out of 171 patients from 1-5 years after the termination of MDMA or LSD assisted therapy.
⁃ No suicide attempts
⁃ No psychosis longer than 48 hours
⁃ No admittance to a psychiatric ward
⁃ LSD is not a magic potion but a catalyst in assisted therapy.
⁃ No Long-term negative effects on daily life
⁃ Do Participants report a long term change?
⁃ No more suicidal thoughts and decreased importance on material possessions.
⁃ This was not a pharmacological study but a psychotherapy study.
⁃ The ability to not perform pharmacological studies is one of the drawbacks to the LSD research of today.