News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Pharmacology of Hallucinations by clbrmbr on Saturday January 13, 2024 @08:21AM (#38979672)
> There are at least three different pharmacological ways to induce hallucinations: (1) activation of dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs) with psychostimulants, (2) activation of serotonin 5HT2A receptors (HT2ARs) with psychedelics, and (3) blockage of glutamate NMDA receptors (NMDARs) with dissociative anesthetics.

I’m always surprised when the kappa-opioid pathway (salvinorin A) is overlooked. It produces very distinctive hallucinations. I lack the personal experience to judge, but I think it’s phenomenalogically distinct from other dissociate experiences. It should be easier to research given that Salvia diviniorum and its constituents are not controlled federally nor in many states.

Re:Pharmacology of Hallucinations by Wherecombinator on Saturday January 13, 2024 @11:58AM (#38981817)
I’m not familiar with pharmacology of salvia but taking it is quite dangerous compared to other hallucinogens.

A number of my friends had terrible feelings and were freaked out for about a week afterwards. Similar stories are found on erowid.

Re:Pharmacology of Hallucinations by temp0826 on Saturday January 13, 2024 @09:01AM (#38979956)
A bit more dangerous recreationally but scopolamine (datura/brugmansia/etc) is hallucinogenic in yet another way (antimuscarinic, blocking acetylcholine receptors).
Re:Pharmacology of Hallucinations by tessellated on Saturday January 13, 2024 @09:32AM (#38980251)
Also, there are Kappa Opioid antagonists like Salvinorin A. Proceed with caution.
Re:Pharmacology of Hallucinations by beefman on Saturday January 13, 2024 @12:53PM (#38982565)
Salvinorin A is a k-opioid agonist.