History of hyperstimulants
The use of hallucinogens is known for a long time. American Indian tribes in America during religious rituals used the dryed up apexes of one of cactus-pejota kinds. To the invoked hallucinations the mystical parentage, and to the plant – divine force was attributed. The material named a mescaline, chemically similar to adrenaline, but absolutely excellent, on pharmacological properties has appeared an effective agent. For example, the mescaline, unlike adrenaline, dilates peripheric pots, depresses arterial pressure, in the big doses invokes a bradycardia.
As the narcotic or stupefying material has not received a mescaline of diffusion. However in XX century there were reports on its utilisation with a view of “experimentations over themselves”. Books of known English writer Oldosa Haksli (A became popular. Huxley) “Doors to a perception”and”Heavens and an underworld” (1956) about delivered by it “and experiences with method of a mescaline and with the art description of hallucinative experiences. Probably, these books have pushed others to the use of other hallucinogens, for example, LSD.
Still much earlier similar introspection with a hallucinosis published A.B.Aleksandrovsky in our country (1934) and with. P.Ronchevsky (1937). Unfortunately, their detailed descriptions remained little-known to experts. Among other American Indians – Aztecs – in the similar ritual purposes one of kinds of the Mexican mushrooms – a psilocybe (”a divine mushroom”) was used. In 1958 A. Hoffmann has secured from it the active material named a psilocybine. Being more awake, than the mescaline, this material in small doses invokes euphoria, and in big – a hallucinosis. The pattern of an intoxication begins a mescaline and a psilocybine with “colour intoxication” – all paints seem unusually bright, all shines, in eyes there are iridescent points and strips. It is followed by kaleidoscopical visual hallucinations. Acoustical deceits routinely are absent, but there can be derealization and depersonalisation phenomena. The sensation of division of the person with possibility to observe from outside as other person is characteristic. Sensations of swelling of own body, abjointing of its parts, impression are noticed also that “the soul is independent of a body” Consciousness is conserved. As a rule, there is a critical attitude to the experiences, understanding of that is hallucinations. Subsequently all is well conserved in memory. Similar acute hallucinoses (they last from several o’clock about one days) it is impossible to regard neither as deliriums nor as oneiroids (there is no fantastic plot).
In 1943 in laboratory of Swiss pharmaceutical firm “Сандос” the material, in hundreds and thousand times more awake, than a psilocybine and a mescaline has been received. It does not possess neither taste, nor colour, an odour, and its insignificant quantities are capable to invoke hallucinations, basically the visual. These properties have made its dangerous: it can be imperceptibly added in nutrition and drink to other people, and its small amount is enough for a mass venenating. The similar situation has been presented in the fantastic novel Romano’s Dyne (Dean Romano) where venenate there was a population of the whole city. This material which has become known under name LSD, can cause a hallucinosis lasting, depending on a dose, from 1-2 o’clock about one semidays. Hallucinations are accompanied by various emotional experiences – from euphoria and ecstasy to alarm and the panic pavor, sometimes quickly replacing each other. Symptoms of a depersonalisation, derealization and body scheme disturbance supplement a pattern. The critical attitude to experiences, to that they are invoked by a hallucinogen, is lost only under the influence of the big doses. After the hallucinosis termination relapses in some hours in the form of new short attacks, without repeated introduction of a hallucinogen are possible. At a part of the persons resorting to LSD, from the first methods the strong appetence to repetition of intoxications clears up. In these cases mental dependence which can be very strong is easily formed. At such people calling at itself a hallucinosis becomes the basic meaning of the life (acid freaks – “acid odd fellows”). But any signs of physical dependence it has not been noted.
Last years in the USA were extended hallucinogens with very short action-30-40 of minute It use in the form of cigarettes or injections, without stoping work, during a lunch rest, having retired, secretly. Unlike other hallucinogens, LSD in the western countries has got on the black market, it began to be produced by underground laboratories. Owing to the big social danger in many countries this hallucinogen is included in number of narcotics, In the USSR its utilisation in general is pursued by the law. In the late sixties – the beginning of 70th years abuse LSD has propagated among teenagers in the USA. In California at inspection of 25 thousand schoolboys of the senior classes it has appeared that 14 % from them have tested on themselves hallucinogenic action LSD. In the subsequent interest to this material at teenagers has started to disappear. Probably, it has been bound by that its entering on the black market has contracted, or that on droop locomotion “hippie” has gone, among which participants abuse by the yielded agent was especially popular. Instead of LSD in quality of “a psychodelic agent” teenagers in the USA tried to use a nutmeg powder, seeds of a bindweed, etc., but the fashion on these forms of abuse soon also has passed. In the USSR of cases of abuse LSD among teenagers it has not been noted. Statements of teenagers volume that they tried action of the yielded agent on themselves, at check appeared imaginations and boasting. The slang of the teenagers using LSD and similar materials on action, probably, figuratively enough pitched tints of tested experiences the Hallucinosis trip-pleasant travel, a trip named; transit-transferring (”other world” meant); instant Zen – immediate dipping in a state which zens-Buddhists achieve years of exercises; mind binderдуховный binge; third the eye-third sight, etc. Itself LSD was called ticket – the ticket for a trip.
Among narcomaniacs in our country there were basically cases of abuse as hallucinogens cholinolytic agents – at first Asthmatolum containing atropine and materials similar to it, and then Cyclodolum, and also Dimedrol.