Hallucinogen May Cure Drug Addiction

BAY AREA (KRON) ^ | February 20, 2004 | NA

[Scenic Sounds]

[tacticalogic]

I've only known one person who was addicted to opiates. He was prescribed methadone to handle the withdrawl symptoms and sent home. No counseling, no group therapy, no 12 step program. And it worked. He died 20 years later, probably addicted to oxycodone, but that's another story.

But I don't think any drug or program is going to help people who don't want to quit.

[neverdem]

PING

[45Auto]

My opinions about the Drug War are that it is mostly worthless and very expensive. However, the Ibogaine story has been around for a long time; the drug has been studied as a possible addiction treatment for about 25 years, including some extensive work at the National Institute on Drug Abuse, part of NIH. A lot of basic information about its effects and mechanisms of action have been published. It is interesting, but it is not a magic curative for opiate addiction. It might have limited use in certain cases at least in initial therapy. But there is no substitute for an addict motivated in the quest for sobriety. Every addict and alcoholic yearns for a drug that will "cure" him of his obsession; that way, no real work or self-examination will be required.

[45Auto]

There is some interesting stereochemistry about this molecule including the methano bridge and the fused saturated rings. It exists in several isomeric forms and I think the natural form has a negative rotation of polarized light. Its total synthesis has been accomplished, but its not trivial. It shares with a number of other interesting drugs a tryptamine moiety, in this case imbedded along with the terpenoid-like pieces.

[Cathryn Crawford]

There is some interesting stereochemistry about this molecule including the methano bridge and the fused saturated rings. It exists in several isomeric forms and I think the natural form has a negative rotation of polarized light. Its total synthesis has been accomplished, but its not trivial. It shares with a number of other interesting drugs a tryptamine moiety, in this case imbedded along with the terpenoid-like pieces.

I agree.

[45Auto]

You have a background in organic chemistry?

[Cathryn Crawford]

No, but I do own a biology book.

[neverdem]

Thanks for the image, but I can better appreciate molecular structure using the method in comment# 21. It's odd that you both have alliterative names starting with same consonant. Do you happen to know the names of these different techniques representing molecular structures?

[45Auto]

I must apologize for being pedantic; its easy to get carried away.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I was only teasing you. Actually, I wish I had your intellect. I can barely pass a biology class, unfortunately.

[Scenic Sounds]

Cathryn, be a good girl and I'll let you ride my ferrous wheel.

Sorry about all that, 45Auto. ;-)

[StriperSniper]

I can better appreciate molecular structure using the method in comment# 21

Yeah, but mine looks cooler. ;-)

No, I'm not familiar with the terminology, been a while since highschool chemistry. It was just the image at the top of the linked page.

[H2dude]

having taken acid about 4-500 times, many of them by myself on unbelievable wilderness experiences (most of the balance were dead shows) I can assure you that acid is a wonder drug. absoutely no question about it. I have taken hundreds of individuals on their first trip and everytime it is a magical and learning experience. In short, it is a way to find a short cut to "universal love" or "god" or "the great spirit". It should NOT be used as a "party drug",however, and I will warn anyone taking it to be prepared to find out everything about yourself, including the hidden dark corners of your mind that may scare you for now. Once you shine the light on those dark areas, however, you become a much more secure individual. No wonder the guvmint is terrified of it.

[He Rides A White Horse]

No, but I do own a biology book.

Ha! I just saved a bunch of money by switching to GEICO.

[He Rides A White Horse]

I have taken hundreds of individuals on their first trip and everytime it is a magical and learning experience.

I doubt that. I remember going to a party as a teenager, and somebody gave some girl LSD.

Let's put it this way, she didn't look like she was on a Magical Mystery Tour shivering, crying and freaking out in the corner.

[He Rides A White Horse]

....of course, nobody fessed up, probably because they would be taking a not-so-mysterious tour of the local hospital.

[xzins]

ping to drug addiction article

[tiki]

They have clinics in Canada and Mexico.

[randog]

The idea of using psychedelics to treat addiction is not new; Tim Leary conducted research on the use of LSD and psilocybin in the treatment of alcoholics about 40 years ago.

Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA, believed LSD could help in the treatment of alcoholism by inducing the "spiritual awakening" he felt was a necessary step in beating the addiction.