lysergic acid amide

[i]Pharmacological and clinical activity of the isolated alkaloids[/i]

There is no doubt that the alkaloids isolated from the seeds of [i]Rivea corymbosa[/i] and [ [i]Ipomoea  tricolor[/i] ] are the active principles of these magic plants. Aside from the described alkaloids, a large quantity of a new glucoside, which was named turbicoryn by M. C. Pérezamador and J. Herrán, was isolated from the seeds of [i]Rivea corymbosa[/i].[sup]24 25[/sup]

It is most improbable that the presence of this glucoside has anything to do with the psychotomimetic action of ololiuhqui as, according to our observations, the seeds of [ [i]Ipomoea  tricolor[/i] ], which are stronger than the [i]Rivea[/i] seeds, contain none of this glucoside or only small traces of it. On the other hand, the high pharmacological and psychic activity of the lysergic acid amides, as well as of elymoclavine and lysergol, is certain.

D-lysergic acid amide (designation of compound undergoing tests: LA 111) was tested pharmacologically and clinically during the course of investigations on d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD 25) and related compounds long before it was known to be a component of ololiuhqui. Already at that stage we had, in experiments on ourselves, ascertained a psychotomimetic activity with a marked narcotic component with dosages of 0.5 to 1 mg. The following paragraph is taken from a hitherto unpublished record of the first experiment which the writer performed upon himself with LA 111 on 30.10.1947.

10.00 h: Intramuscular injection of 0.5 ml of 1 per mille solution of LA 111 ( = 0.5 mg d-lysergic acid amide).

11.00 h: Tiredness in the neck, slight nausea.

11.05 h: Tired, dreamy, incapable of clear thoughts. Very sensitive to noises which give an unpleasant sensation.

11.10 h: Desire to lie down and sleep. Genuine physical and mental tiredness, which is not experienced as an unpleasant sensation. Slept for 3 hours.

15.00 h: Return of normal condition with full capacity for performing work.

This action of d-lysergic acid amide was later confirmed by the comparative systematic investigation of H. Solms.[sup]26 27[/sup] He describes the action as follows: LA 111 induces indifference, a decrease in psychomotor activity, the feeling of sinking into nothingness and a desire to sleep . . . until finally an increased clouding of consciousness does produce sleep.

Clinical investigations have been initiated with d-isolysergic acid amide but no results are available yet. Upon taking 2 mg. of isoergine himself, the writer experienced tiredness, apathy, a feeling of mental emptiness and of the unreality and complete meaninglessness of the outside world.

Elymoclavine and lysergol elicit an excitation syndrome in various animals that is caused by a central stimulation of the sympathicus.[sup]28[/sup] The results of clinical testing are not, as yet, available.

Psychotomimetic effects are unknown for ergometrine, which is used to a large extent in obstetrics as a uterotonic and hemostatic agent. When using the small dosages which are administered for this purpose, the alkaloid apparently has no action on the psychic functions. Its occurrence in the alkaloid mixture of [ [i]Ipomoea  tricolor[/i] ] can thus have no significant effect on the action of badoh negro. Furthermore, chanoclavine, which has no outstanding pharmacological activity, appears to play no part in the occurrence of the psychic effects of badoh and badoh negro.

According to the results of experiments performed thus far with pure alkaloids, it appears as though d-lysergic acid amide, elymoclavine and lysergol and possibly also d-isolysergic acid amide are mainly responsible for the psychic effect of ololiuhqui.

Systematic comparative investigations are presently being performed with the pure alkaloidal principles of ololiuhqui and total extracts from the seeds so as to ascertain the psychic effect on humans. These will show whether the alkaloids described alone are responsible for the psychotomimetic effects, which, in view of our present knowledge, seems probable, or whether other factors play a part.

[url=https://archive.org/details/mobot31753003541080/]Albert Hofmann. The Active Principles of the Seeds of Rivea corymbosa and Ipomoea violacea. 1963-11-22. Cambridge, MA: Botanical Museum, Harvard University. 10.5962/p.168542[/url] pages 208–210