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Psychedelics & Brain Function Study | Serotonin, Consciousness & NDPS Act | UPSC Science & Tech

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📘 ENGLISH CONTENT

Recently, studies have shown that Psychedelics can temporarily alter brain activity patterns linked to the sense of self (“ego”), allowing scientists to observe how the brain reorganizes itself.

Psychedelics are a group of drugs that induce altered states of perception, consciousness, behaviour, and thought, often enhancing sensory awareness and producing hallucinations.

The term “psychedelic” is derived from Greek words meaning “mind” or “soul” and “to manifest,” reflecting their effect on human consciousness.

These substances are a subset of psychotropic drugs and are generally considered non-addictive and relatively less toxic compared to many other illicit drugs.

Most psychedelics function by increasing the activity of serotonin, a neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation, by binding to serotonin receptors in the brain.

They are broadly classified into two categories:

  • Classical Psychedelics: These act primarily on serotonin (5-HT) receptors and are known to produce hallucinations. Examples include LSD, psilocybin, and DMT.
  • Non-classical Psychedelics: These act on different receptors and include substances like ketamine and MDMA.

Psychedelics are currently being researched for potential therapeutic applications in treating mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.

However, in India, the use of psychedelic substances is regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS Act), which prohibits their use except for medical and scientific purposes under strict regulation.

This research provides new insights into human consciousness and may open avenues for advanced psychiatric treatments in the future.

📘 MCQs (ENGLISH)

Q1. Psychedelics are:

A. Antibiotics

B. Hormones

C. Psychotropic drugs

D. Vaccines

Answer: C

Q2. Psychedelics affect:

A. Digestion

B. Vision only

C. Brain and consciousness

D. Blood

Answer: C

Q3. They primarily act on:

A. Dopamine

B. Serotonin

C. Insulin

D. Oxygen

Answer: B

Q4. LSD is a:

A. Antibiotic

B. Classical psychedelic

C. Non-classical

D. Hormone

Answer: B

Q5. MDMA is:

A. Classical

B. Non-classical

C. Natural drug

D. Antibiotic

Answer: B

Q6. Psychedelics can cause:

A. Fever

B. Hallucinations

C. Pain

D. Paralysis

Answer: B

Q7. NDPS Act regulates:

A. Banking

B. Drugs

C. Education

D. Trade

Answer: B

Q8. Psychedelics are studied for:

A. Agriculture

B. Mental health

C. Construction

D. Energy

Answer: B

Q9. Psychedelic term means:

A. Body change

B. Mind manifestation

C. Energy flow

D. Chemical reaction

Answer: B

Q10. Psychedelics are:

A. Highly addictive

B. Non-addictive

C. Always harmful

D. Always safe

Answer: B

📘 हिंदी कंटेंट

हाल ही में शोध में पाया गया है कि Psychedelics मस्तिष्क के “स्वयं की भावना” (sense of self) से जुड़े पैटर्न को अस्थायी रूप से बदल सकते हैं।

Psychedelics ऐसे रसायन हैं जो व्यक्ति की सोच, व्यवहार, चेतना और संवेदनाओं को बदल देते हैं।

यह शब्द ग्रीक भाषा से लिया गया है, जिसका अर्थ है “मन का प्रकट होना”।

ये psychotropic drugs का एक भाग हैं और सामान्यतः कम नशे की लत पैदा करते हैं।

ये मुख्य रूप से serotonin हार्मोन पर कार्य करते हैं, जो मूड को नियंत्रित करता है।

इन्हें दो भागों में बांटा जाता है:

  • Classical psychedelics: जैसे LSD, psilocybin, DMT — ये serotonin receptors पर काम करते हैं
  • Non-classical psychedelics: जैसे ketamine और MDMA

इनका उपयोग मानसिक रोगों जैसे डिप्रेशन, PTSD और चिंता के इलाज के शोध में किया जा रहा है।

भारत में इनका उपयोग Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 के तहत नियंत्रित है।

यह शोध मानव मस्तिष्क और चेतना को समझने में मदद करता है।

📘 MCQs (हिंदी)

Q1. Psychedelics क्या हैं?

A. एंटीबायोटिक

B. हार्मोन

C. Psychotropic drugs

D. वैक्सीन

उत्तर: C

Q2. यह किसे प्रभावित करते हैं?

A. पाचन

B. केवल दृष्टि

C. मस्तिष्क

D. रक्त

उत्तर: C

Q3. यह किस पर कार्य करते हैं?

A. डोपामाइन

B. serotonin

C. इंसुलिन

D. ऑक्सीजन

उत्तर: B

Q4. LSD क्या है?

A. एंटीबायोटिक

B. Classical psychedelic

C. Non-classical

D. हार्मोन

उत्तर: B

Q5. MDMA क्या है?

A. Classical

B. Non-classical

C. प्राकृतिक

D. एंटीबायोटिक

उत्तर: B

Q6. इसका प्रभाव क्या है?

A. बुखार

B. भ्रम (Hallucination)

C. दर्द

D. लकवा

उत्तर: B

Q7. NDPS Act किससे संबंधित है?

A. बैंकिंग

B. दवाएं

C. शिक्षा

D. व्यापार

उत्तर: B

Q8. इसका उपयोग किसके लिए शोध में होता है?

A. कृषि

B. मानसिक स्वास्थ्य

C. निर्माण

D. ऊर्जा

उत्तर: B

Q9. Psychedelic का अर्थ क्या है?

A. शरीर

B. मन

C. ऊर्जा

D. रसायन

उत्तर: B

Q10. Psychedelics कैसे होते हैं?

A. नशे वाले

B. कम नशे वाले

C. हमेशा हानिकारक

D. सुरक्षित

उत्तर: B

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