Body load
Encyclopedia
Body load is a term used to describe specific tactile sensations brought on by psychoactive drug
s, especially psychedelics. Generally, body load is an unpleasant physical sensation that is difficult to describe either in terms of other sensations or in its specific location. Nausea
may be present with, or as a part of, body load. Different drugs may cause different body load sensations which vary in intensity and duration.
In contrast, many drug users, and particularly users of entactogens like MDMA or of certain particular synthetic phenethylamines (most notably the popular 2C-B
) and tryptamines, also often report a "body high" or "body rush", which is similar to body load in many respects but is virtually always considered pleasant.
5-HT receptor
s, particularly those involved in tactile sensation and, equally importantly in many cases where nausea is experienced, those located along the lining of the digestive tract. Serotonin
is heavily involved in appetite control, and over-stimulation of serotonergic receptors has been shown to cause nausea in overdoses of SSRIs or MDMA. Many psychedelics which can cause body load are partial serotonin agonists, which work by mimicking the structure of serotonin to varying degrees.
Psychoactive drug
A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, or psychotropic is a chemical substance that crosses the blood–brain barrier and acts primarily upon the central nervous system where it affects brain function, resulting in changes in perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior...
s, especially psychedelics. Generally, body load is an unpleasant physical sensation that is difficult to describe either in terms of other sensations or in its specific location. Nausea
Nausea
Nausea , is a sensation of unease and discomfort in the upper stomach with an involuntary urge to vomit. It often, but not always, precedes vomiting...
may be present with, or as a part of, body load. Different drugs may cause different body load sensations which vary in intensity and duration.
In contrast, many drug users, and particularly users of entactogens like MDMA or of certain particular synthetic phenethylamines (most notably the popular 2C-B
2C-B
2C-B or 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine is a psychedelic drug of the 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1974. In Shulgin's book PiHKAL, the dosage range is listed as 16–24 mg. 2C-B is sold as a white powder sometimes pressed in tablets or gel caps and is referred...
) and tryptamines, also often report a "body high" or "body rush", which is similar to body load in many respects but is virtually always considered pleasant.
Causes
The causes of the subjective experience of body load are unknown. However, one proposed mechanism is the stimulation of serotonergicSerotonergic
Serotonergic or serotoninergic means "related to the neurotransmitter serotonin". A synapse is serotonergic if it uses serotonin as its neurotransmitter...
5-HT receptor
5-HT receptor
The serotonin receptors, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors or 5-HT receptors, are a group of G protein-coupled receptors and ligand-gated ion channels found in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They mediate both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission...
s, particularly those involved in tactile sensation and, equally importantly in many cases where nausea is experienced, those located along the lining of the digestive tract. Serotonin
Serotonin
Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine is a monoamine neurotransmitter. Biochemically derived from tryptophan, serotonin is primarily found in the gastrointestinal tract, platelets, and in the central nervous system of animals including humans...
is heavily involved in appetite control, and over-stimulation of serotonergic receptors has been shown to cause nausea in overdoses of SSRIs or MDMA. Many psychedelics which can cause body load are partial serotonin agonists, which work by mimicking the structure of serotonin to varying degrees.