Mental Effects

Linde, L., Mental effects of caffeine in fatigued and non-fatigued female and male subjects. Ergonomics 38(5), 864-885, 1995. 

The term alcoholism as a disease entity was coined by the Swedish physician, Magnus Huss, in the mid-19th century to describe the harmful physical and mental effects of chronic excessive alcohol consumption. This strictly medical model held sway for almost a century before it became apparent that a variety of psychosocial factors also influence the onset and course of the disorder. Indeed, drinking behavior and the problems attributable to excessive drinking, including alcoholism, vary widely within and across different cultures and population groups, and even within the same person across the fife span. In the last 30 years, basic and... 

Another criterion for determining the relevance of behavioral effects in animals to mental effects seen in humans is that both show the same pharmacologic... 

The possibility of cerebrovascular action of PCP was raised by the development of focal seizures and hemiparesis in a 6-year-old boy who had ingested what was presumed to be PCP (18). Hypertensive encephalopathy with a blood pressure of260/160 occurred in an 18-year-old woman who used PCP (43). These clinical findings are compatible with in vitro studies indicating that cerebral artery spasms can be produced by PCP as well as by LSD and mescaline (4). Whether such cerebrovascular actions are pertinent to the mental effects of these drugs is questionable. 

The third criterion that animal systems should demonstrate with respect to the psychedelic trip in man is the observed tolerance to both the mental effects and mydriasis. This appears to be complete after several daily doses and to be lost after 4 days without LSD. With respect to biologic mechanisms, occurrence of acute tolerance in both man and animals (20) poses a problem. Whether tachyphylactic or other processes are entailed remains to be defined. 

The effects of cannabis on cognition is a complicated issue. Numerous studies have been conducted to measure the mental effects of cannabis, but many of these are fraught with methodological problems. Several variables must be controlled in this type of research, including the dosage and potency of cannabis used, route of administration (e.g., smoking, oral, etc.), chronicity of dose, and the subject population (nonusers, occasional users, chronic users) employed (table 10.7). Population makeup has a large effect on outcome because there have been differences demonstrated between naive and experienced cannabis users (Murray 1986). 

Kuitunen T, Karkkainen S, Ylitalo P. (1984). Comparison of the acute physical and mental effects of ephedrine, fenfluramine, phentermine and prolintane. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 6(5) 265-70. 

Returning to the glycolates, it might help to convey the similarity in mental effects between EA 3443 and BZ by providing some excerpts from the clinical records. Here are some samples of alterations in speech, perception, behavior and self-descriptions for some EA 3443 subjects. Similarities to BZ should be obvious ... 

There is no doubt that between them mental illness and the mental effects of recreational drugs are of major medical and lay interest and of considerable public concern. The hrst section of this chapter provides an account of the biochemistry and physiology of normal mental activity, to enable a better understanding of how far changes in the biochemistry can explain mental illnesses and the effects of recreational drugs. 

The mechanism by which ergoloid mesylates produce mental effects is unknown. Pharmacokinetics Ergoloid mesylates are rapidly absorbed from the Gl tract peak plasma concentrations are achieved within 0.6 to 3 hours. The liquid capsule has a 12% greater bioavailability than the oral tablet. The mean half-life of unchanged ergoloid in plasma is about 2.6 to 5.1 hours. 

The target organs that may be involved in prolonged or delayed effects are the brain and the cardiovascular system. The mental effect consists of a transient or reversible psychosis, which may in rare instances result in activation of a schizophrenic process. The cardiovascular effects are postural hypotension and tachycardia. 

Psychomotor Impairments were measured by such test batteries as the numerical facility, speed of closure, Purdue pegboard, and Strom-berg manual dexterity tests. Anecdotal reports, both by subjects and by staff, of changes In behavior and mood generally paralleled the other symptoms. The spectrum of the effects and their Intensity is similar to that commonly reported in the recent literature on cannabis studies in other volunteer populations. However, DMHP acetate seemed to elicit more orthostatic hypotension, and cannabis, a greater degree of mental effects. 

The lack of evidence of severe mental or emotional disturbances, even In volunteers who were observed to experience intense and persistent cardiovascular effects, is noteworthy. Although DMHP acetate elicits far greater cardiovascular consequences than other canna-binoids, It appears to Induce less severe mental impairment. It Is possible that careful screening and a supportive test milieu tend to minimize the occurrence of adverse mental effects. 

In summary, DMHP and some of its acetate Isomers produced various degrees of physical incapacitation due largely to the moderate to marked and prolonged orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure was normal In the supine position. Mental effects of DMHP were much less severe than those of THC or cannabis at doses that produced similar degrees of orthostatic hypotension. Individual differences in intensity of response were considerable some subjects showed little or no response at doses that produced Intense symptoms in other subjects. 

QUALITATIVE COMMENTS (with 120 mg) This is no more than a plus one, and it didn t really get there until about the third hour. By a couple of hours later, I feel that the mental effects are pretty much dissipated, but there is some real... 

QUALITATIVE COMMENTS (with 22 mg) I am completely functional, with writing and answering the telephone, but the coffee really tastes most strange. While the mental effects (to a ++ only) were dispersing, the body still had quite a bit of memory of the day. Sleep was fine, and desirable, in the early evening. ... 

QUALITATIVE COMMENTS (with 200 mg) There are the slightest hints of physical response, maybe a smidgin of a lightheadedness at the one hour point. Perhaps a slight teeth clench. Certainly there is no central mental effect. ... 

The psychostimulant effects of the glucocorticoids are well known (80), and their dose dependency is recognized (SED-11, 817) they may amount to little more than euphoria or comprise severe mental derangement, for example mania in an adult with no previous psychiatric history (SEDA-17, 446) or catatonic stupor demanding electroconvulsive therapy (81). In their mildest form, and especially in children, the mental changes may be detectable only by specific tests of mental function (82). Mental effects can occur in patients treated with fairly low doses they can also occur after withdrawal or omission of treatment, apparently because of adrenal suppression (83,84). 

Alcohol acts as a depressant on the brain. Blood carries alcohol to the brain, where it acts on the body s central nervous system to slow a person s mental responses. There are a variety of mental effects associated with alcohol consumption. The more immediate are a lessening of inhibitions, mental relaxation, exaggerated emotional response to people and situations, extreme changes in behavior, and impaired judgment. Low doses of alcohol can cause the release of certain chemicals in the brain that can cause a sense of euphoria—a high that makes alcohol seem like a stimulant. Memory is sharpened and the ability to think creatively is strengthened, but when alcohol consumption increases, its seda-... 

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