Biology 2217B Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Coca, Cannabis Sativa, Acorus
13 Jul 2019
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Psychoactive plants: tobacco (nicotiana sp. , marijuana (cannabis sativa, cocaine (erythroxylon coca, heroin and other opiates (papaver somniferum, mescaline (lophophora williamsii, cactaceae, nightshades (solanacae) Tropane alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine: others in acoraceae, convolulaceae, zygophyllaceae. Chemistry and pharmacology: mode of activity, ingestion by various routes of administration, absorption into bloodstream, circulation, activity, affect neurotransmitters. History of drug use: use of mind altering drugs is ancient. Present in many indigenous cultures: modern western culture dissociates drug use from formal cultural or religious customs. Alkaloid made in roots and transported to leaves: nicotiana. N. rustica and n. tabacum: 65 or so species. Tobacco (cont. : used by natives in americas, also discovered by columbus in cuba, spain to france, large plantations in maryland, virginia and carolinas. Slave labour: g. washington, t. jefferson. Tobacco chemistry: extremely addictive, passes through the bbb (blood-brain barrier) faster than heroin or caffeine, causes release of small amounts of dopamine, stimulates release of adrenaline.
