The Neuroscience of Psychedelics: The Pharmacology of What Makes Us Human

by Genis Ona, Jose Carlos Bouso (foreword)

• Examines the main pharmacological properties of psychedelic substances, including LSD, DMT, psilocybin, ayahuasca, mescaline, ketamine, ibogaine, salvia, and MDMA • Explains the physiological mechanisms behind visionary effects, including what is happening in the brain and how each psychedelic is processed by the body • Shares safe strategies for using psychedelics, including harm-reduction techniques, and looks at where the future of psychedelic therapies is likely to go With the widespread legalization of marijuana and increasing use of psychoactives in controlled therapy settings, further research and understanding of psychedelics is now possible. Yet while individual accounts of their use abound, exactly what’s happening to the brain and body when using these substances is still not widely understood. Longtime pharmacological researcher Genís Ona presents a comprehensive look at the main pharmacological properties of psychedelic substances, including LSD, DMT, psilocybin, ayahuasca, mescaline, ketamine, ibogaine, salvia, tropane alkaloids, and MDMA. Exploring how psychedelics work within the brain, Ona shares results from his extensive research to reveal the physiological mechanisms that allow these molecules to have their visionary effects, explaining what is happening at the receptor level as well as the “downstream” and “cascade” effects that differ from substance to substance. He examines how the body processes each substance, describing how each psychedelic is released, absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated. He also details possible dangerous interactions between these substances and other drugs as well as their potential toxicity. Although his main focus is the biological and neurological effects of psychedelics, Ona also explores the mystical and spiritual dimension of psychedelic use, particularly as practiced in Indigenous traditions, showing how they enable access to a profound spiritual territory. He shares safe strategies for using psychedelics and looks at where the future of psychedelic therapies is likely to go, with an emphasis on ensuring that traditional knowledge is respected, honored, and protected.

Genres: Science

264 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Hanna Zia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the literal sixth person to review this book, I recommend to anyone who has a deep interest in neurology and psychedelics.

[Gregory Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reading assignment for a psychology class, this book is for a particular kind of person of which I am not. There is a description of the neurobiology of hallucinogenics / psychedelics, along with diagrams showing how the body metabolizes the drugs. Following this is a lengthy argument claiming that through its effects psychedelics can promote brain plasticity, through an argument that seems a bit spurious and tethered to fairly unreliable small-scale studies. As it sums, the book contains a lot of do's and don'ts if you plan to imbibe psychedelics. So, again, this book is likely more for someone who wants to try some mind-altering substances but wants some kind of scientific backing first to reassure themselves. If so, and that science doesn't have to be too complicated, I think that mission is accomplished.

[Cody Midlam]

Well-written overview on the prevailing theories regarding "how" psychedelics "work". This book explains the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of psychedelics in an easy-to-understand manner. As a pharmacist, I found the information to be highly informative, but I think also approachable for any reader. The psychological and spiritual impact of psychedelics remains quite a mystery, but a better understanding of the neuroscience will serve as a foundation for further exploration of this important field for generations to come.

[Chris M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend if you want to take a deep dive into the biochemical and neurological effects of psychedelics.