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Thursday, February 02, 2006 Hallucinogenic Mint    Salvia divinorum is a member of the mint family of plants. It grows in Oaxaca, Mexico with a weed-like vigor. More about this plant's history and biology here. It secretes a molecule called Salvinorin A that is biologically interesting because it represents 1% of the dry weight of this plant -- that's a lot! It's pharmacologically interesting because unlike, say, LSD, which is promiscuous in its binding, Salvinorin A binds to only one GPCR (G-Coupled Protein Receptor), the kappa-opiod receptor, acting as a highly effective agonist of this receptor. Such precise selectivity of an agonist for a receptor can be pretty useful in pharmacological experimentation. The kappa-opiod receptor signaling cascade can be turned on and off like a switch with this drug without any concern that you may be simultaneously triggering other signaling pathways.    In humans Salvinorin A has a psychoactive effect, similar to marijuana and LSD, though less pleasant according to reports from those who have smoked it. The structural biology regarding how this ligand docks to its receptor was part of the topic of discussion at Master's pharmacology seminar yesterday.     Still interested? The FDA has yet to ban this drug, shop for yours while supplies last. As always, Caveat Emptor. (hat tip Dave S.). 8:44:19 AM    Comments disabled © Copyright 2008 Rufus. Nonsense, distribute widely and freely! Last update: 7/26/2008; 10:56:59 AM.			Readers Amused       Home About Me Airedale Philosophy How this all got started       FAQ What's an Upright? Upright: noun : a by and large bipedal companion, also referred to as a human being. What's a Cheechako? Cheechako: noun : a person new to Alaska who has come with the intention to live here. Who's Master? Master: pronoun : just the finest upright on the face of the earth, that's who! To read him is to love him. What's Dogdom? Dogdom: noun : Life's venue from a dog's point of view. What's a Sourdough? Sourdough: noun : A long time Alaskan who has an automatic suspicion of cheechakos. What does Outside mean? Outside: noun : A provincial reference to somplace other than Alaska; usually the lower 48. What's Breakup? Breakup: noun : A uniquely Alaskan season between winter and spring when the snow and ice begins to melt for good. Where is SquareBanks? SquareBanks: slang : A self-evident euphemism for a place widely known as Fairbanks, AK. Where can I read the Houston Trip? Houston Trip: vignette : Here What digital camera do you use? Camera: hardware : Canon Powershot A80 (4.0 MP) Who's Mom? Mom: Hottie : Have A Look What's a Squeakamunka? Squeakamunka: noun : your ordinary gray squirrel which can be seen everywhere in our Cleveland neighborhood! « Alaska Blogs »  Stories Fiction Boy Wonder Bat Girl Objects in Mirror Are Larger Than They Appear Used To Be Fish Skin Deep Essay Life Is Good Desert Nostalgia A Voice of Reason Fictional Four Realms of Darkness Poetry Lucky Chain  The Cycling Pages 1999 Canadian Tour 2000 Tour of Alaska "Yooper" : 2001 Tour of WI/Michigan UP 2001 Spine of Italy Tour 2002 Tour of New England 2004 Tour of New Zealand (coming soon!) 2005 Tour Of Nova Scotia Conways Game of Life (needs java plugin) Sometimes Interesting Billy Greg (Hiatus) Virginia Postrel Wendy McElroy Samizdata Atlantic Monthly Reason No Treason Slashdot Derke Lowe Heather Champ (Photo blog) T.C. Boyle Liquid Generation Improved Clinch Exquisite Corpse, A. Codrescu Fred On Everything Assymetrical Information The Daily Ablution (Hibernation) Lileks Frank Kelly (Hiatus) Up In Alaska