Psychedelics – Pima Post

15Nov

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Opinion

Hope for a Psychedelic Renaissance

By DANIEL VELASCO Drugs are always controversial. Any substance that has any effect on the brain has been often been scrutinized through a controlling eye. In the book “Peyote: the Divine Cactus,” Edward F. Anderson describes psychedelics as “a horror to the Catholic mind.” He claims that “Spanish Conquistadores saw mind-altering drugs of the Aztecs as “pestiferous and wicked.” In another book, “Shamans Through Time” by Jeremy Narby and Francis Huxley, it is claimed that the Spanish navigator and natural historian Fernandez de Oveido called indigenous tobacco use “devil worship.” Because of this stigma, ancient knowledge that was once held sacred has since been looked down upon. Because of this, the world as we know it today is both stunted by its perception of psychedelics, and distan...

1Nov

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Features

MDMA offers potential to help PTSD

By DANIEL VELASCO MDMA, Ecstasy or Molly is a synthetic stimulant that causes hallucinogenic effects. Initially synthesized by the chemist Anton Kollisch in 1912, MDMA has become a popular party drug among youth. MDMA affects three neurotransmitters within the brain: serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Serotonin has an array of different effects such as sleep, pain and hunger. However, it’s most famous for its effect on mood. Someone with healthy levels of serotonin can experience a balanced mood with considerably less anxiety and depression. Dopamine helps regulate the brain’s emotional response. It also controls our brain’s relationship with rewards. When you accomplish something, the feeling you have afterward involves a boost of dopamine within your brain. Norepine...

23Oct

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Features

Kratom vs. opiate addiction

By: DANIEL VELASCO Deep in the rainforests of Southeast Asia lies an infamous plant. With yellow flowers and evergreen leaves, kratom induces stimulant-like effects to its users, while causing opiate-like side effects to people who use it in high doses. Kratom is primarily put into capsules and made into extracts and pills, but dried kratom leaves can be brewed into a tea. Traditionally, kratom is chewed, or in some cases eaten in food. Its side effects are where this plant gets interesting. When kratom is ingested, the chemical compounds (Mitragynine and 7-a-hydroxymitragynine) affect the brain’s four opiate receptors. These brain receptors control an array of different behavioral aspects including pain, depression, anxiety and addiction. The most famous side effects are pleasur...

4Oct

By Pima Post Editorial TeamNo Comments

Features

What’s growing in your backyard?

By: DANIEL VELASCO Rain brings the best things to Tucson on the rare occasion we receive it. Rain brings cool weather, earthy scents and vibrant colors. The rain also creates the exact conditions perfect for growing fungus. From yeast to athlete’s foot, fungus is everywhere and will inevitably in one way or another, eat us. With this threat heavily upon us, and finishing up monsoon season -- albeit a fairly dry one -- here’s a guide to some common fungi you might find at whatever cold, dark and damp place you hang out at in Arizona. While mushrooms usually grow in forested areas that receive plenty of rain, Arizona still is home to an array of mushrooms. From Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria) to Valley Fever (Coccidioides), Arizona is home to multiple different mushrooms that yield a wide...