Ergine (LSA) is an alkaloid of the ergoline family that occurs in various species of vines of the Convolvulaceae and some species of fungi. As the dominant alkaloid in the psychedelic seeds of Rivea corymbosa (ololiuhqui), Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose) and Ipomoea tricolor (morning glories, tlitliltzin), it is often stated that ergine and/or isoergine (its epimer) is responsible for the psychedelic activity. In fact, the effects of synthetic LSA and iso-LSA are not particularly psychedelic.
Abstract
Ergine (LSA) is an alkaloid of the ergoline family that occurs in various species of vines of the Convolvulaceae and some species of fungi. As the dominant alkaloid in the psychedelic seeds of Rivea corymbosa (ololiuhqui), Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose) and Ipomoea tricolor (morning glories, tlitliltzin), it is often stated that ergine and/or isoergine (its epimer) is responsible for the psychedelic activity. In fact, the effects of synthetic LSA and iso-LSA are not particularly psychedelic.
[1]
History
In 1959, the ethnobotanist Richard Schultes sent samples of a cultivated Mexican morning glory,
Turbina corymbosa, to Albert Hoffman, the discoverer of LSD. Schultes had seen it used by a Zapotec shaman. In 1960, Hoffman analyzed the seeds and said they contained ergot-like alkaloids.
This was hard for people to believe since previously such chemicals had only been found in the rye fungus Claviceps purpurea (ergot). But Hoffman was right; the seeds contained d-lysergic acid amide. This differs from LSD only in that it has a NH2 where LSD has a N(C2H5)2, but LSD is some 50 to 100 times as potent. The morning glory Turbina corymbosa's seeds also have other psychoactive alkaloids in them: d-isolysergic acid amide, chanoclavine, elymoclavine, and lysergol.
In 1960, Don Thomes MacDougall reported that seeds of another morning glory, Ipomoea violacea were used as sacraments by certain Zapotecs, sometimes with the Turbina corymbosa seeds and sometimes not. This morning glory species is the one with familiar varieties in America: Heavenly Blue, Pearly Gates, Flying Saucers, Blue Star, Summer Skies and Wedding Bells. The Ipomoea violacea has the same psychoactive compounds in it except with ergometrine instead of lysergol.
[2]
Pharmacology
The chemical formula for LSA is: C16H17N3O
Ergine, isoergine, ergometrine, elymoclavine and lysergol are responsible for the psychedelic effects. The structurally similarity between these alkaloids and the neurotransmitters dopamine,
noradrenaline and serotonine might explain the hallucinogenic activity by mutual influence on the active sites of the central nervous system; it appears that the psychoactive constituents are partial agonists on the G-protein-linked a-adrenergic- and on various serotonergic- receptors
[3]
Uses
Besides being used for recreational purpose, there are no other uses of LSA.
[1]
Scheduling
In the US, it is a Schedule III drug. LSA is not an addictive drug and hence there are no addiction liabilities associated with it.
[6]
Withdrawal Effects
As it is not an addictive substance, there are no withdrawal effects observed.
Long term effects
The long term effect may include:
Mental health problems (porphyrias)
Decreased kidney function
Decreased liver function
Pancreas troubles
Decreased lungs function
Disease involving the blood vessels
Anemia
Hyperthyroidism
Heart disease
High blood pressure
Cardiovascular troubles (hypotension/hypertension troubles)
[6]
Physical Effect
Aside from a subjective change in perception and, most notably, mood, the most common short-term physical and neurological effects include increased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, impairment of short-term and working memory, psychomotor coordination, and concentration.
[6]
Pychological Treament
As it is not an addictive substance, there are no specific pyschological treatments associated with it. There are no medical treatment options for effects caused by LSA. Breaking away from the loop proves to be a good method to avoid the unpleasent experience of prolonged use of LSA.
Related drugs
mescaline,
psilocybin
[2]
References
[1] http://www.epa.gov/nitrousoxide/index.html
[2] http://www.clearwhitelight.org/hatter/lsainfo.htm
[3] http://watcut.uwaterloo.ca/webnotes/Pharmacology/page-11.html
[4] http://www.enotes.com/nitrous-oxide-reference/nitrous-oxide-176983#effects-body
[5] http://www.pamf.org/teen/parents/risk/inhalants.html#Types of Inhalants
[6] http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/commonly-abused-drugs/commonly-abused-drugs-chart
