phenylethylamine

n. any of a group of drugs with hallucinogenic effects and a common basic chemical structure. The prototype is mescaline, an alkaloid first isolated from the peyote cactus in 1896. Mescaline is one of the least potent of the hallucinogens, but potency is increased by adding methyl groups to the basic molecule, thereby creating substituted phenylethylamines. The latter include the amphetamine derivatives DOM, MDA, and MDMA. See also phenylalkylamine.

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Psychology term of the day

November 16th 2024

subcortical dementia

dementia caused by damage to or dysfunction of the subcortical (deeper) structures of the brain that may be due, for example, to Parkinson’s disease. It is marked by cognitive slowing, memory impairment (specifically, poor encoding and retrieval but intact storage), visuospatial abnormalities, and mood and affect disturbances. Compare cortical dementia.