LSD can only be synthesized, and while I have no interest in learning how it’s made I can’t find a source that can tell me why it can’t occur on Earth without human intervention
In: Chemistry
In order for such advanced organic molecule to occur naturally it needs to be made by some sort of protein made by a living organism. As it just happens no organism makes the exact LSD molecule. There are several fungus and seeds that have the precursor to LSD but is missing the last step in the process.
im no chemist, but there is LSA in a variety of plants which is supposedly closely related. so i wouldnt think that LSD can only be synthesized, do you have a source for that? what im getting at is, there may be a natural occurrence, we just dont know it
Most naturally occuring hallucinogens aren’t hallucinogens on purpose. They didn’t evolve to induce hallucinations. As far as we can tell, the natural hallucinogenic properties of things like DMT evolved as a kind of insecticide or animal deterent. They can cause major brain and digestive problems in smaller mamals and bugs. They just happen to interact with the human brain (and large mamals) in a way that causes hallucinations not nerve problems.
So there was no evolutionary pressure for a plant to develop lysergic acid as a natural deterrent, especially since it’s synthesis takes a lot of energy that a plant might otherwise not want to waste.
>LSD can only be synthesized
That’s not true. Ergot fungus produces a chemical called ergoline, which is what LSD is produced from. The process to convert ergoline to LSD can, and probably does occur within ergot. The reason that ergot fungus does not contain detectible amounts of LSD is because LSD is not a stable molecule.
LSD breaks down on its own under the conditions that are present inside of cells. It is one of the few drugs that does that – most require an enzyme to break them down, but LSD does not.
LSD rapidly degrades in tap water, sunlight, air, and a variety of other seemingly innocuous things. LSD blotters, gelatins, or drops all preserve the LSD by keeping it in a solution that is specifically designed to preserve it.
Any LSD that is produced in ergot survives for such a brief period of time that it never builds up to detectible levels. LSD is only able to survive in your body if you absorb it through your gums, and even then only because that allows it to be absorbed directly by your brain. Once in your brain, LSD has a unique interaction with its target receptor that helps to stabilize the LSD molecule so long as it remains in your brain.
Are we assuming that you’re asking this while being aware of Ergot containing the precursor Lysergic Acid?
It doesn’t happen spontaneously (much) for the same reason that anything doesn’t happen spontaneously doesn’t happen spontaneously: it’s not energetically favorable.
Also, a big one I am not seeing here is that the molecule itself is actually supposed to be very fragile and is broken down into other non-psychoactive substances through many means, like sunlight and heat, very fast.
Same reason meth can’t. Shit doesn’t just appear that are natural. Why doesn’t gas just exist without human intervention? Or Coca-Cola? Or Tylenol? Shit has to be MADE bro
Far as I know the closest component to LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) found in nature is LSA (Lysergic acid amide), also known as ergine. LSA is structurally similar to LSD and is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain plants, particularly in the seeds of the morning glory species (e.g., Ipomoea tricolor) and the Hawaiian baby woodrose (Argyreia nervosa).
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