Category:

Life Serotonin Supplementation Update: UK Microdosing LSD and Serotonin Receptors

4/19/2017

Serotonin Receptor by S Jahnichen

A 10 April 2017 BBC story, Microdosing: The people taking LSD with their breakfast, reports individuals regularly taking small amounts of LSD for health.

A look at “serotonin” on Wikipedia reveals why people would be supplementing their serotonin systems for health:

Serotonin Receptor Actions/Modulations

Memory
Learning
Anxiety
Depression
Schizophrenia
Regulating the release of serotonin
Analgesia
Aggression
Dopamine release in prefrontal cortex
Vasoconstriction
Bone mass
Psychedelia [note: “Physiodelia” is often a better word]
Norepinephrine release
Glutamate release in prefrontal cortex
Urinary bladder contractions
Cardiovascular functioning
Empathy (via the spindle neurons)
Dopamine release into the mesocorticolimbic pathway
Acetylcholine [nicotinic] release in prefrontal cortex
Appetite
Anti-psychotic
Emesis
Anxiolysis [calming]
Movement of food across the GI tract
Memory consolidation
Cognition

One could easily add laughter, dreams (day and night), prayer and meditation to things our serotonin receptors modulate.

*Next Up: 26 April and a Life Serotonin Supplementation (LSS) on Physiodelia.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

0 Comments

2020: Putamen Cannabinoids and Opioids Control Our Brains (Even the brains of presidential candidates)

6/12/2016

0 Comments

Purple is Caudate Nucleus and Putamen / Orange is Thalamus

Brains presidential

There are cannabinoid (pot) receptors and precursors all over our brains; there are also opioid (heroin, morphine, oxycodone) receptors and precursors there too.

“If you were” to click on the publication image below you’d find a schematic representation of our brain’s cannabinoid and opioid receptors. The “If you were” is because there is some caution involved; seems that after looking at the image for a bit (twenty seconds or so) one might see the image looking back at you: I’m just saying it might happen.

I looked at the image for a bit and can report it shows three levels of receptor density for both cannabinoids and opioids: low, moderate and high. Some parts of our brains are high in both; one such spot is the caudate putamen.

The caudate putamen, located at the center of our brains (and the brains of all presidential candidates, it should be said), is fundamental to movement and learning; basically, we wouldn’t be bipedal or remember much without it. Adding science to our sense of ourselves, and the discussion known as the 2016 presidential election, will help us get through the next big thing: the 2020 Enumeration, i.e., the census and the “thirty Thousand.”

Interactions of the opioid and cannabinoid systems in reward: Insights from knockout studies
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Pubmed: 5 FEB 2015

From the abstract: The opioid system consists of three receptors, mu, delta, and kappa, which are activated by endogenous opioid peptides (enkephalins, endorphins, and dynorphins). The endogenous cannabinoid system comprises lipid neuromodulators (endocannabinoids), enzymes for their synthesis and their degradation and two well-characterized receptors, cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. These systems play a major role in the control of pain as well as in mood regulation, reward processing and the development of addiction. Both opioid and cannabinoid receptors are coupled to G proteins and are expressed throughout the brain reinforcement circuitry.

*Images from this publication
See all images (1)Free text

Next Up: Announcing the release of an Ew Publishing research pamphlet, Aspasia of Miletus: Socrates’ Didaskalos, on Wednesday 15 June.

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

0 Comments

Solstice Serotonin (5HTP) Science Stories

6/20/2014

0 Comments

Life ~ circa 2014

Serotonin activation was our topic on 19 April 2014; it’s serotonin life sciences today with the precursor 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) in highlight.

Below are four (brief) science stories from the National Institutes of Health (PubMed). Shortened titles should suffice to suggest the main themes: Therapeutic 5-HTP, Hot Flash and Breast Cancer Reduction, Irritable Bowels, and Morphine’s Efficacy. The links and quotes are from PubMed (1998-2014).

Healthy Solstice Everyone!
~.~
Therapeutic 5-HTP Has Been Shown … (1998)
“5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the intermediate metabolite of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (LT) in the biosynthesis of serotonin. Intestinal absorption of 5-HTP does not require the presence of a transport molecule, and is not affected by the presence of other amino acids; therefore it may be taken with meals without reducing its effectiveness. … Therapeutic administration of 5-HTP has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions, including depression, fibromyalgia, binge eating associated with obesity, chronic headaches, and insomnia.”
5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor.
Birdsall TC.
Altern Med Rev. 1998 Aug;3(4):271-80. Review.
PMID: 9727088 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Free Article
Related citations

Hot Flash (and Breast Cancer) Reduction: a hypothesis (2005)
“This would be particularly desirable for menopausal women with breast cancer or with risks of breast cancer. This article discusses the background information on hot flashes, SSRIs, tryptophan, and 5HTP, and possible clinical application of 5HTP for menopausal women with breast cancer risk.”
The potential of 5-hydryoxytryptophan for hot flash reduction: a hypothesis.
Curcio JJ, Kim LS, Wollner D, Pockaj BA.
Altern Med Rev. 2005 Sep;10(3):216-21.
PMID: 16164376 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Free Article
Related citations

A Serotonin-mediated Mechanism in Bowels (2014)
“Oral 5-HTP induced alterations in mucosal 5-HT metabolism. In healthy controls, a reinforcement of the intestinal barrier was seen whereas such reaction was absent in IBS [irritable bowel syndrome] patients. This could indicate the presence of a serotonin-mediated mechanism aimed to reinforce intestinal barrier function, which seems to dysfunction in IBS patients.”
Serotonergic reinforcement of intestinal barrier function is impaired in irritable bowel syndrome.
Keszthelyi D, Troost FJ, Jonkers DM, van Eijk HM, Lindsey PJ, Dekker J, Buurman WA, Masclee AA.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2014 Jun 18. doi: 10.1111/apt.12842. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24943480 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

Serotonin and Morphine’s Efficacy (2014)
“Systemic administration of morphine increases 5-HT levels in the spinal cord, and the increase in 5-HT contributes to morphine-induced analgesia in the normal state but attenuates that in neuropathic pain through spinal 5-HT3 receptors. The plasticity of the descending serotonergic system may contribute to the reduced efficacy of systemic morphine in neuropathic pain.”
Peripheral Nerve Injury Reduces Analgesic Effects of Systemic Morphine via Spinal 5-Hydroxytryptamine 3 Receptors.
Kimura M, Obata H, Saito S.
Anesthesiology. 2014 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24887968 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

VIDEO:
5HTP benefit and side effects of 5htp, dosage, anxiety, weight loss, sleep

BONUS VIDEO: Serotonin/Binaural Beats
5-HTP secretion for happiness binaural beats, intensity WARNING

~ Posted by Bryan W. Brickner ~

0 Comments

Indiscernible Cannabinoid Science ~ Publius’ April 2014 Roundup

4/29/2014

0 Comments

The Cannabis Papers: A citizen’s guide to cannabinoids (2011)
By Publius

Here are seven 2014 findings on how the cannabinoid system (CS) modulates homeostasis and other systems in our bodies: the roundup links to recent PubMed articles on the physiology, digestive, hypothalamic neurohypophyseal, vanilloid, dopamine, reproductive, and nervous systems.

I. Physiology System (Aging) and the CS
“2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is one of the principal endocannabinoids involved in the protection against neurodegenerative processes. … Taken together, the results of the present study show that CB1 and/or CB2 receptor antagonists trigger a significant modulation of 2-AG metabolism, underlining their relevance as therapeutic strategy for controling endocannabinoid levels in physiological aging.”

Cannabinoid receptor-dependent metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol during aging.
Pascual AC, Gaveglio VL, Giusto NM, Pasquaré SJ.
Exp Gerontol. 2014 Apr 24. pii: S0531-5565(14)00129-6. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2014.04.008. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24768821 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

II. Digestive System (Arachidonic Acid) and the CS
“The endogenous ligands of type-1 and type-2 cannabinoid receptors, N-arachidonoyl-ethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, are arachidonic acid (AA) derivatives whose levels are regulated by the activity of metabolic enzymes, as well as by AA availability. Since the only sources of AA in mammals are diet and the enzymatic production in the liver from shorter-chain essential fatty acids like linoleic acid, it is realistic to hypothesize that endocannabinoid levels might be modulated by fatty acid composition of food.”

Endocannabinoid signaling and its regulation by nutrients.
Bisogno T, Maccarrone M.
Biofactors. 2014 Apr 21. doi: 10.1002/biof.1167. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24753395 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

III. Hypothalamic Neurohypophyseal System (Pituitary Stalk) and the CS
“Endocannabinoids (ECBs) are considered ubiquitous lipophilic agents, and this is a characteristic that is consistent with the wide range of homeostatic functions attributed to the ECB system. There is an increasing number of reports showing that the ECB system affects neurotransmission within the hypothalamic neurohypophyseal system.”

The endocannabinoid system and the neuroendocrine control of hydromineral balance.
Ruginsk SG, Vechiato FM, Elias LL, Antunes-Rodrigues J.
J Neuroendocrinol. 2014 Apr 17. doi: 10.1111/jne.12158. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24750469 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

IV. Vanilloid System (Retrograde Signaling) and the CS
“One of the two major endocannabinoids, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), serves as a retrograde messenger at various types of synapses throughout the brain. … Whereas 2-AG primarily transmits a rapid, transient, point-to-point retrograde signal, the other major endocannabinoid, anandamide, may function as a relatively slow retrograde or non-retrograde signal or as an agonist of the vanilloid receptor.”

Endocannabinoid-mediated retrograde modulation of synaptic transmission.
Ohno-Shosaku T, Kano M.
Curr Opin Neurobiol. 2014 Apr 16;29C:1-8. doi: 10.1016/j.conb.2014.03.017. [Epub ahead of print] Review.
PMID: 24747340 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

V. Dopamine System (Hedonistic Aspects) and the CS
“The endocannabinoid (ECB) system has emerged recently as a key mediator for reward processing. … Our data further indicate that the ECB system, and in particular CB1 receptor signaling, appear to be highly important for the mediation of hedonic aspects of reward processing.”

The CB1 Receptor as an Important Mediator of Hedonic Reward Processing.
Friemel CM, Zimmer A, Schneider M.
Neuropsychopharmacology. 2014 Apr 10. doi: 10.1038/npp.2014.86. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24718372 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

VI. Reproductive System (Sperm) and the CS
“In human spermatozoa, which exhibit a completely functional endocannabinoid system, the activation of cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1) inhibited sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). … In conclusion, E. coli LPS inhibited sperm ΔΨm through the activation of CB1, but this effect was not accompanied to the activation of mitochondrial dysfunction-related apoptotic/oxidative mechanisms, which could affect sperm motility and genomic integrity.”

Involvement of cannabinoid receptor-1 activation in mitochondrial depolarizing effect of lipopolysaccharide in human spermatozoa.
Barbonetti A, Vassallo MR, Costanzo M, Battista N, Maccarrone M, Francavilla S, Francavilla F.
Andrology. 2014 Apr 1. doi: 10.1111/j.2047-2927.2014.00210.x. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24692267 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

VII. Nervous System (Pain) and the CS
“We investigated the effects of anandamide on 4 neuronal sodium channel α subunits, Nav1.2, Nav1.6, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8, to explore the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effects of anandamide. … Anandamide inhibited the function of α subunits in neuronal sodium channels Nav1.2, Nav1.6, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8. These results help clarify the mechanisms of the analgesic effects of anandamide.”

The endocannabinoid anandamide inhibits voltage-gated sodium channels Nav1.2, Nav1.6, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8 in Xenopus oocytes.
Okura D, Horishita T, Ueno S, Yanagihara N, Sudo Y, Uezono Y, Sata T.
Anesth Analg. 2014 Mar;118(3):554-62. doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000000070.
PMID: 24557103 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Related citations

~'~

Posted by Bryan W. Brickner

0 Comments

Indiscernible Cannabinoid Science ~ Publius’ March 2014 Roundup

3/30/2014

1 Comment

The Cannabis Papers: A citizen’s guide to cannabinoids (2011)
By Publius

Here are seven 2014 findings on how the cannabinoid system (CS) modulates homeostasis and other systems in our bodies: the roundup links to recent PubMed articles on the vanilloid, neurological, dopamine, visual, skeletal, and endocrine systems.

I. Vanilloid System and the CS
“These data indicate that the eCB system can modulate inflammatory activation of the endothelium and may have important implications for a variety of acute inflammatory disorders that are characterized by EC [Endothelial Cell] activation.”
The endocannabinoid/endovanilloid N-arachidonoyl dopamine (NADA) and synthetic cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 abate the inflammatory activation of human endothelial cells.
Wilhelmsen K, Khakpour S, Tran A, Sheehan K, Schumacher M, Xu F, Hellman J.
J Biol Chem. 2014 Mar 18. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24644287 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Free Article
Related citations

II. Neurological System (Migraines) and the CS
“These findings suggest that the pharmacological manipulation of the CB2 receptor may represent a potential therapeutic tool for the treatment of migraine.”
Activation of CB2 receptors as a potential therapeutic target for migraine: evaluation in an animal model.
Greco R, Mangione AS, Sandrini G, Nappi G, Tassorelli C.
J Headache Pain. 2014 Mar 17;15(1):14. doi: 10.1186/1129-2377-15-14.
PMID: 24636539 [PubMed - in process] Free Article
Related citations

III. Dopamine System and the CS
“The endocannabinoid system regulates feeding behavior through a modulatory action on different neurotransmitter systems, including the dopaminergic system.”
Involvement of the Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor in Modulation of Dopamine Output in the Prefrontal Cortex Associated with Food Restriction in Rats.
Dazzi L, Talani G, Biggio F, Utzeri C, Lallai V, Licheri V, Lutzu S, Mostallino MC, Secci PP, Biggio G, Sanna E.
PLoS One. 2014 Mar 14;9(3):e92224. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092224. eCollection 2014.
PMID: 24632810 [PubMed - in process] Free PMC Article
Related citations

IV. Neurological System (Alzheimer’s disease) and the CS
“Moreover, endocannabinoid signaling has been demonstrated to modulate numerous concomitant pathological processes, including neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress.”
Cannabinoids for treatment of Alzheimer's disease: moving toward the clinic.
Aso E, Ferrer I.
Front Pharmacol. 2014 Mar 5;5:37. eCollection 2014. Review.
PMID: 24634659 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] Free PMC Article
Related citations

V. Visual System and the CS
“Our findings provide neurophysiologic evidence for a link between cannabinoid-signaling, network dynamics and the function of a canonical cortical circuit.”
Cannabinoid neuromodulation in the adult early visual cortex.
Ohiorhenuan IE, Mechler F, Purpura KP, Schmid AM, Hu Q, Victor JD.
PLoS One. 2014 Feb 19;9(2):e87362. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087362. eCollection 2014.
PMID: 24586271 [PubMed - in process] Free PMC Article
Related citations

VI. Skeletal System (Osteoarthritis) and the CS
“The ubiquitous distribution of cannabinoid receptors, together with the physiological role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of pain, inflammation and even joint function further support the therapeutic interest of cannabinoids for osteoarthritis.”
Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in osteoarthritis pain.
La Porta C, Bura SA, Negrete R, Maldonado R.
Eur J Neurosci. 2014 Feb;39(3):485-500. doi: 10.1111/ejn.12468.
PMID: 24494687 [PubMed - in process]
Related citations

VII. Endocrine System (HP-axis) and the CS
“Since the endocannabinoid system components are present at sites involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary axis regulation, several studies were performed in order to investigate the endocannabinoid-mediated neurotransmitters and hormones secretion under physiological and pathological conditions.”
Role of the Endocannabinoid System in the Neuroendocrine Responses to Inflammation.
De Laurentiis A, Araujo HA, Rettori V.
Curr Pharm Des. 2014 Jan 30. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24588819 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Related citations

~’~
posted by bwb

1 Comment

Indiscernible Cannabinoid System Science ~ Publius’ February 2014 Roundup

2/27/2014

0 Comments

The Cannabis Papers: A citizen’s guide to cannabinoids (2011)
By Publius

This roundup links to seven 2014 PubMed articles on cannabinoids modulating other systems in our bodies, such as: the olfactory, endocrine, vanilloid, serotonin, opioid, dopamine, and nervous systems. There’s also a bit of systemic science ~ getting a good night’s sleep.

I. Olfactory System and CS
“Thus, CB1 receptor-dependent control of cortical feedback projections in olfactory circuits couples internal states to perception and behavior.”

The endocannabinoid system controls food intake via olfactory processes.
Soria-Gómez E, Bellocchio L, Reguero L, Lepousez G, Martin C, Bendahmane M, Ruehle S, Remmers F, Desprez T, Matias I,
Wiesner T, Cannich A, Nissant A, Wadleigh A, Pape HC, Chiarlone AP, Quarta C, Verrier D, Vincent P, Massa F, Lutz B,
Guzmán M, Gurden H, Ferreira G, Lledo PM, Grandes P, Marsicano G.
Nat Neurosci. 2014 Mar;17(3):407-15. doi: 10.1038/nn.3647. Epub 2014 Feb 9.
PMID: 24509429 [PubMed - in process]

II. Endocrine System (Hypothalamus-pituitary axis) and CS
“Whereas the effect on 3β-HSD was counteracted by SR141716A (Rimonabant) - a selective antagonist of CB1, thus indicating a CB1 dependent modulation - the effect on cyp17 was not, suggesting a possible involvement of receptors other than CB1, probably the type-1 vanilloid receptor (TRPV1), since AEA works as an endocannabinoid and an endovanilloid as well.”

Hypothalamus-pituitary axis: an obligatory target for endocannabinoids to inhibit steroidogenesis in frog testis.
Chianese R, Ciaramella V, Fasano S, Pierantoni R, Meccariello R.
Gen Comp Endocrinol. 2014 Feb 21. pii: S0016-6480(14)00053-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2014.02.010. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24566122 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

III. Vanilloid System (Schizophrenia) and CS
“Our results indicate that the schizophrenia-like behaviors displayed by SHR [Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats] are differently altered by cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs when compared to control animals and suggest the endocannabinoid and the vanilloid systems as a potential target for the treatment of schizophrenia.”

Effects of cannabinoid and vanilloid drugs on positive and negative-like symptoms on an animal model of schizophrenia: The SHR strain.
Almeida V, Peres FF, Levin R, Suiama MA, Calzavara MB, Zuardi AW, Hallak JE, Crippa JA, Abílio VC.
Schizophr Res. 2014 Feb 17. pii: S0920-9964(14)00062-0. doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.01.039. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24556469 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

IV. Serotonin, Opioid, and Dopamine Systems and CS
“In this review we highlight the evidence for the physiological role of such constitutive GPCR [G protein-coupled receptor] activity (in particular for cannabinoid 1, serotonin 2C and mu-opioid receptors) in the ventral tegmental area and in its output regions like the nucleus accumbens. We also address the behavioral relevance of constitutive GPCR signaling and discuss the repercussions of its abolition in dopamine-related psychiatric diseases.”

The vital role of constitutive GPCR activity in the mesolimbic dopamine system.
Meye FJ, Ramakers GM, Adan RA.
Transl Psychiatry. 2014 Feb 11;4:e361. doi: 10.1038/tp.2013.130.
PMID: 24518399 [PubMed - in process]

V. Sleep, Systems and CS
“Overall, these findings demonstrate that the EC [Endo-Cannabinoid] system actively regulates cortical up-states and important features of NREM sleep such as its duration and low frequency cortical oscillations.”

Endocannabinoid Modulation of Cortical Up-States and NREM Sleep.
Pava MJ, den Hartog CR, Blanco-Centurion C, Shiromani PJ, Woodward JJ.
PLoS One. 2014 Feb 10;9(2):e88672. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088672. eCollection 2014.
PMID: 24520411 [PubMed - in process] Free PMC Article

VI. Central Nervous System and CS
“In the present study, we discovered that 2-AG significantly protects CN neurons in culture against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response.”

Endocannabinoid 2-Arachidonylglycerol Protects Primary Cultured Neurons Against LPS-Induced Impairments in Rat Caudate Nucleus.
Lu Y, Peng F, Dong M, Yang H.
J Mol Neurosci. 2014 Feb 9. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24510751 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

VII. Nervous System (Alzheimer’s/Dementia) and CS
“The altered CB1 levels appear, rather, to be age-and/or pathology-dependent, indicating an involvement of the endocannabinoid system in AD pathology and supporting the ECS as a potential novel therapeutic target for treatment of AD.”

Altered Expression of the CB1 Cannabinoid Receptor in the Triple Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.
Bedse G, Romano A, Cianci S, Lavecchia AM, Lorenzo P, Elphick MR, Laferla FM, Vendemiale G, Grillo C, Altieri F, Cassano
T, Gaetani S.
J Alzheimers Dis. 2014 Feb 4. [Epub ahead of print]
PMID: 24496074 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

~.~
February's Video
What if Cannabinoids in Cannabis Cured Cancer & Other Diseases?

Posted by bwb.

0 Comments

Life Serotonin Supplementation Update: UK Microdosing LSD and Serotonin Receptors

2020: Putamen Cannabinoids and Opioids Control Our Brains (Even the brains of presidential candidates)

Solstice Serotonin (5HTP) Science Stories

Indiscernible Cannabinoid Science ~ Publius’ April 2014 Roundup

Indiscernible Cannabinoid Science ~ Publius’ March 2014 Roundup

Indiscernible Cannabinoid System Science ~ Publius’ February 2014 Roundup

Author

Archives

Categories