Substances/Content: Difference between revisions

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A '''psychoactive substance''' is ~~defined as~~ a chemical ~~substance, other~~ than a nutrient or essential dietary ~~ingredient, that affects~~ brain function to produce ~~alterations~~ in sensation, perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and ~~behaviour~~.

A '''psychoactive substance''' is a chemical substance—other than a nutrient or essential dietary ingredient—that alters brain function to produce temporary changes in sensation, perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior.

Psychoactive substances ~~are~~ used for a ~~number~~ of purposes~~; for~~ example, they ~~can~~ be ~~taken recreationally~~ for their ~~novel and~~ euphoric effects, as [[entheogens]] for ritual or spiritual purposes, or as ~~tools~~ for ~~probing~~ and ~~augmenting the~~ mind. ~~Many psychoactive substances~~ have ~~therapeutic utility and are used in routine medical practice (e.g. [[pain relief|anaesthetics]], analgesics,~~ [[~~anxiety suppression|anxyiolytics~~]]~~, antidepressants, etc.)~~.

Psychoactive substances have been used by humans for a variety of purposes since recorded history. For example, they may be used as medicine, as recreational substances for their euphoric effects and novelty value, as [[entheogens]] for ritual or spiritual purposes, or as scientific research probes for studying the brain and mind. The latter two have particular relevance for practitioners of [[psychonautics]].

~~This index attempts~~ to ~~categorize~~ and provide relevant, accurate and unbiased information ~~regarding~~ any and all ~~psychoactive~~ substances, with a ~~particular~~ focus on those ~~which are useful~~ as tools for expanding consciousness. The individual articles focus not just on detailing the chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and harm potential of each substance, but also their subjective effects. This is done by following a standardized system of descriptions and terminologies that can be found in the [[subjective effects index]].

The '''''Psychoactive Substance Index''''' ('''PSI''') is designed to catalog and provide relevant, accurate, and unbiased information for any and all mind-altering substances known to humankind, with a special focus on those with potential applications as mind-expanding tools.

'''Please see our [[summary index]] to view ~~convenient and~~ condensed versions of each article.'''

The individual articles detail not just the history, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and legality of each substance, but also its user-reported subjective effects (i.e. phenomenology). This is achieved in accordance with a standardized system of definitions and terminologies proposed in the [[subjective effect index|'''''Subjective Effect Index''''']] ('''SEI''').

'''Please see our [[summary index]] to view conveniently condensed versions of each article.'''

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'''Note:''' This list should only include substances that have a ''documented history of human use''. Do not include substances that are merely theoretical or lack reliable user experience reports and data!

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-A '''psychoactive substance''' is defined as a chemical substance, other than a nutrient or essential dietary ingredient, that affects brain function to produce alterations in sensation, perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behaviour.
+A '''psychoactive substance''' is a chemical substance—other than a nutrient or essential dietary ingredient—that alters brain function to produce temporary changes in sensation, perception, mood, consciousness, cognition, and behavior.
-Psychoactive substances are used for a number of purposes; for example, they can be taken recreationally for their novel and euphoric effects, as [[entheogens]] for ritual or spiritual purposes, or as tools for probing and augmenting the mind. Many psychoactive substances have therapeutic utility and are used in routine medical practice (e.g. [[pain relief|anaesthetics]], analgesics, [[anxiety suppression|anxyiolytics]], antidepressants, etc.).
+Psychoactive substances have been used by humans for a variety of purposes since recorded history. For example, they may be used as medicine, as recreational substances for their euphoric effects and novelty value, as [[entheogens]] for ritual or spiritual purposes, or as scientific research probes for studying the brain and mind. The latter two have particular relevance for practitioners of [[psychonautics]].
-This index attempts to categorize and provide relevant, accurate and unbiased information regarding any and all psychoactive substances, with a particular focus on those which are useful as tools for expanding consciousness. The individual articles focus not just on detailing the chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and harm potential of each substance, but also their subjective effects. This is done by following a standardized system of descriptions and terminologies that can be found in the [[subjective effects index]].
+The '''''Psychoactive Substance Index''''' ('''PSI''') is designed to catalog and provide relevant, accurate, and unbiased information for any and all mind-altering substances known to humankind, with a special focus on those with potential applications as mind-expanding tools.
-'''Please see our [[summary index]] to view convenient and condensed versions of each article.'''
+The individual articles detail not just the history, chemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and legality of each substance, but also its user-reported subjective effects (i.e. phenomenology). This is achieved in accordance with a standardized system of definitions and terminologies proposed in the [[subjective effect index|'''''Subjective Effect Index''''']] ('''SEI''').
+'''Please see our [[summary index]] to view conveniently condensed versions of each article.'''
+----
+'''Note:''' This list should only include substances that have a ''documented history of human use''. Do not include substances that are merely theoretical or lack reliable user experience reports and data!