The Hallucinogenic Drugs—Curse or Blessing?
STEPHEN SZARA M.D., D.SC.1
1 Chief, Section on Psychopharmacology, Clinical Neuropharmacology Research Center, National Institute of Mental Health, Saint Elizabeths Hospital, Washington, D. C. 20032, and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry (Psychopharmacology), George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
The hallucinogens are divided into three groups: adrenaline-related, tryptamine-related, and miscellaneous, and their chemistry is reviewed. The author points out the limitations of the biochemical and classical pharmacological approaches to understanding the varieties of psychological responses to the drugs. He urges that we view the function of the central nervous system in terms of structure, chemistry, and information so that we can better comprehend and predict psychological reactions to the drugs.
