Quote:
|
Originally Posted by SuchFriendsAreDangerous
its because both LSD is an agonist for a wider variety of serotonin receptors in more parts of the brain and also because it also is an agonist for D2 dopamine receptors which amplify the serotonin effect. i always agreed with you that this is the neurochemical come down from LSD, i just disagreed with applying same to psilocybin which acts very differently on the brain
|
True, most evidence points to psilocybin leaving dopamine alone. But y'know, one thing that surprised me when I was reading up on this is that there's still a LOT that isn't known about the precise effects of psilocybin on the brain. There have been precious few fMRI mapping studies, and a lot of experts in the field seem to disagree about the extent to which brain activity (synapses aside) is affected. I read something interesting (will have to track down the source) about psyl opening "communication" between brain areas. This is nothing new, but what I read came at it from a cognitive angle rather than a perceptual one. It may be that there's some genuine scientific evidence behind the notion that ones cognition is affected in a way that would explain empirically why "positive thoughts" and environmental comfort seem to impact one's experience.
'Course this happens with LSD too. And MDMA. I don't know if you've ever seen someone have a bad ecstasy trip.... back when I was in college, folk wisdom dictated that such a thing was not possible, but it's VERY possible, and though I've never had a bad e trip myself, I've witnessed one, and it was goddamn horrifying.