BBH 451 Exam 3 Study Questions and
Solutions
Pharmacodynamics (MDMA) ✅-increased in serotonin level in synapses (blocking
reuptake & stimulating reverse transport)
-action on 5-HT2A receptors in particular
-NE and DA levels increase as well (considered a psychomotor stimulant)
Pharmacokinetics (MDMA) ✅-effects apparent within 1 hour of taking pill
-metabolite MDA is probably more potent than MDMA
Stacking ✅-taking 2nd or 3rd dose before 1st dissipates
-severe hypothermia, hypertension
-arrhythmia
-kidney failure
-symptoms cluster into serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome ✅-life threatening drug reaction
-excess serotonin activity
-cognitive effects: headache, agitation, mental confusion, hallucination, coma
-autonomic effects: shivering, sweating, hyperthermia, hypertension, tachycardia
-somatic effects: myoclonus (muscle twitching), tremor
MDMA & etoh ✅-prolonged euphoria and feeling of well being;
-no additional effects on executive function, memory, psychomotor and attention
function
MDMA & cannabis ✅Attenuation of MDMA-induced hyperthermia; Memory deficit
MDMA & meth/amph ✅-severe long term cognitive, behavioral and neurological
changes
-increased neurotoxicity (increased risk for serotonin syndrome)
MDMA & caffeine ✅reduced drowsiness & fatigue
Pharmacodynamics (LSD) ✅-extremely potent (Hoffman's first intentional dose of
250mg was 10x than needed)
-agonist for 5-HT2A receptor
Pharmacokinetics ✅-rapid uptake by the brain
-effects begin 30-90 min, usually lasts between 4-12 hours (contaminants, environment
-- including flashbacks with no drug)
, Psilocybin ✅-converted to psilocin by removal of phosphate (similar to
dimethyltryptamine)
-intoxication lasts 3-4 hr
-grows in temp climates
-religious use primarily in native populations in Mexico
-FDA granted "breakthrough therapy designation"
Mescaline (peyote) ✅-intoxication lasts 8-10 hr
-grows naturally in SW Texas, Mexico
-religious use in North America including Navajo
-religious freedom restoration act (RFRA)
-might have use in reducing substance use
Bufotenin ✅-Found in higher concentrations in schizophrenics than controls (might be
synthesized by the pineal gland)
-Might act through Trace Amine-Associated Receptors (taars) - which are gpcrs
activated by phenylethylamine, tyramine, tryptamine and other rare amines
-Added to artificial versions of Ayahuasca
-Preclinical trials are underway for mood disorders
Cocaine leaf ✅-leaves are chewed
-slow release
-no euphoria
-addiction unclear
Cocaine hcl salt ✅-paste from leaves, which is dissolved & treated with hcl to
precipitate relatively pure drug
-this hcl salt form of cocaine is soluble in water -- easy for use
-generates euphoria
-generally snorted or injected, but not smoked
Freebase cocaine ✅made by adding ammonia & dissolving cocaine in ether
(explosive) to leave hcl behind in water
Crack ✅made by adding ammonia or sodium bicarbonate & heating to evaporate the
hcl (crackling noise when smoked)
Crack & freebase ✅-both more effective than hcl salt, but long-term difference in
addictiveness is small
-generally smoked
-speed of adminitration
Absorption (cocaine) ✅-oral
-intranasal
-inhalation
Solutions
Pharmacodynamics (MDMA) ✅-increased in serotonin level in synapses (blocking
reuptake & stimulating reverse transport)
-action on 5-HT2A receptors in particular
-NE and DA levels increase as well (considered a psychomotor stimulant)
Pharmacokinetics (MDMA) ✅-effects apparent within 1 hour of taking pill
-metabolite MDA is probably more potent than MDMA
Stacking ✅-taking 2nd or 3rd dose before 1st dissipates
-severe hypothermia, hypertension
-arrhythmia
-kidney failure
-symptoms cluster into serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome ✅-life threatening drug reaction
-excess serotonin activity
-cognitive effects: headache, agitation, mental confusion, hallucination, coma
-autonomic effects: shivering, sweating, hyperthermia, hypertension, tachycardia
-somatic effects: myoclonus (muscle twitching), tremor
MDMA & etoh ✅-prolonged euphoria and feeling of well being;
-no additional effects on executive function, memory, psychomotor and attention
function
MDMA & cannabis ✅Attenuation of MDMA-induced hyperthermia; Memory deficit
MDMA & meth/amph ✅-severe long term cognitive, behavioral and neurological
changes
-increased neurotoxicity (increased risk for serotonin syndrome)
MDMA & caffeine ✅reduced drowsiness & fatigue
Pharmacodynamics (LSD) ✅-extremely potent (Hoffman's first intentional dose of
250mg was 10x than needed)
-agonist for 5-HT2A receptor
Pharmacokinetics ✅-rapid uptake by the brain
-effects begin 30-90 min, usually lasts between 4-12 hours (contaminants, environment
-- including flashbacks with no drug)
, Psilocybin ✅-converted to psilocin by removal of phosphate (similar to
dimethyltryptamine)
-intoxication lasts 3-4 hr
-grows in temp climates
-religious use primarily in native populations in Mexico
-FDA granted "breakthrough therapy designation"
Mescaline (peyote) ✅-intoxication lasts 8-10 hr
-grows naturally in SW Texas, Mexico
-religious use in North America including Navajo
-religious freedom restoration act (RFRA)
-might have use in reducing substance use
Bufotenin ✅-Found in higher concentrations in schizophrenics than controls (might be
synthesized by the pineal gland)
-Might act through Trace Amine-Associated Receptors (taars) - which are gpcrs
activated by phenylethylamine, tyramine, tryptamine and other rare amines
-Added to artificial versions of Ayahuasca
-Preclinical trials are underway for mood disorders
Cocaine leaf ✅-leaves are chewed
-slow release
-no euphoria
-addiction unclear
Cocaine hcl salt ✅-paste from leaves, which is dissolved & treated with hcl to
precipitate relatively pure drug
-this hcl salt form of cocaine is soluble in water -- easy for use
-generates euphoria
-generally snorted or injected, but not smoked
Freebase cocaine ✅made by adding ammonia & dissolving cocaine in ether
(explosive) to leave hcl behind in water
Crack ✅made by adding ammonia or sodium bicarbonate & heating to evaporate the
hcl (crackling noise when smoked)
Crack & freebase ✅-both more effective than hcl salt, but long-term difference in
addictiveness is small
-generally smoked
-speed of adminitration
Absorption (cocaine) ✅-oral
-intranasal
-inhalation
