Possibility of new psychedellic!

Im by no means a chemist, but im really hoping to see this idea grow!

see, iv been using valerian root as a sleep aid and mood stabilizer for about a year maybe, and cant help but notice a very mild psychedellic or hypnotic buzz...
so i did some reasearch and this is what i found:

Valerian root has a psychedellic chemical in it called Valerenic acid, which agonizes 5-HT1A, 5-HT2B, and highly agonizes 5-HT5A. these are all sites which are effected by LSD.

Typical valerian doses has a low amount of the V acid in it though, so one would have to extract the valerian oil to increase the possible psychedellic dosage.

now, if an MAOI-A were added, harmaline for example. it would, in theory agonize 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, 5-HT2C and 5-HT5A. Compared to LSD, which agonizes 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT5A and 5-HT6.

evrything except 5-HT6, with the additon of 5-HT2B.. i think it looks promising, and interesting! Further input would be much appreciated!

 

I don't know about the psychedelic propreties, but what I can tell you, is that at high doses, valerian root has a paradoxical effect which causes restlessness, anxiety, shakiness and other unpleasant things.

This leads me to think that even if you could get a trip from a super high dose (which you probably couldn't), there would be nothing enjoyable about it.

 

Like tripping on benedryl.. I've never really done it so much myself because I can't even stay awake for 30 mins after taking 100mg capsules.. but I'd imagine that taking the recommended 'tripping' dosage of it would be unpleasant if you were capable of staying awake through it..

 

thats a bit of a bummer, you dont think the harmaline would change the effects at all to make it more psychedellic and less hypnotic?.. and iv never experienced that anxious feeling from a high dose of valerian, just a tad change in perspective and a tiny stomach ache ahahah.

 

but it is interesting to note how evryone has a different reaction to it.. maybe then, if this were successful it would be a very unpredictable drug, like LSD but less potent.

 

It's probably because you never took a high enough dose to feel those effects. Those effects would probably exacerbated as well by harmaline.

 

yah MAOIs tend to do that... do you think its perhaps a different chemical in the valerian besides the valerenic acid that causes those effects though? if i could somehow extract the V acid to isolate it from evrything else do you think it would change anything?

 

Still sound appealing to you?

 

yikes, thats pretty messed up... now im urged to start a new thread on animal testing ... anyway, thanks for the input guys, i think im gonna keep researching this though.. seems like too good of opportunity to pass up