The Role of Chemistry in History

Introduction to Prozac | Discovery of Prozac | Structure and How it Works | How Prozac Affected History | How History Affected Prozac

The accidental discovery of the anti-depressant effect of impramine led to the research done at the Eli Lilly Company in 1970 that eventually resulted in the birth of Prozac. The molecule that later turned into Prozac was originally a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. In the attempt to create a drug that would only affect the serotonin reuptake, fluoxetine was discovered. It was important to create a drug that only blocked the reuptake of serotonin because there are negative side effect associated with the inhibition of the reuptake of norepinephrine.  Prozac is the most potent known form of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Prozac was first introduced for clinical use in 1986 and was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1987.

Ergot to LSD | Discovery| Chemical Structure | How It Works | LSD’s Affect on History | History’s Affect on LSD | References

Ergot to LSD | Discovery| Chemical Structure | How It Works | LSD’s Affect on History | History’s Affect on LSD | References

In search of a new migraine medication, Albert Hoffman, a Swiss biochemist, began reacting the lysergic acid group that had been recently discovered in ergot with various reagents.  His experimentation led to the discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD-25 in 1938.

Ergot to LSD | Discovery| Chemical Structure | How It Works | LSD’s Affect on History | History’s Affect on LSD | References

Although LSD itself is synthetic, understanding basic knowledge of ergot, LSD’s primary derivative, is helpful to appreciate the circumstances under which LSD was created.  Ergot, a naturally occurring fungus, grows upon rye and is recognized for its medical value.  Historically, ergot has been the cause of mass poisonings across cultures (ergotism), and was also a probable cause of the Salem witch trials, as mentioned in Napoleon’s Buttons.  Beginning in the late sixteenth century, the first recorded medical use of ergot was as a drug to help with childbirth.  Unfortunately, this use was ultimately unable to be sustained, as it too often lead to uterine spasms and other dangers to the child, which are characteristics that ergot commonly shares with LSD.  As a result, it wasn’t until 1930s that this research was fully re-established, leading to the discovery of lysergic acid as the shared component of all ergot alkaloids.

HOME | INTRO OF WATER
PROPERTIES OF H2O| ORIGINS OF LIFE
HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION

• Due to humans need for water, the first civilizations were started near rivers.
  – The Nile River : Egypt
  – The Tigris and Euphrates : Mesopotamia
  – The Huang He (Yellow River) : China

  

• The need to control water for humans needs led to many different innovations that made modern civilizations possible
  – Canals, aqueducts, dams and plumbing
• Humans also made advances in civilizations by harnessing waters power
  – Waterwheel and steam engine

HOME | INTRO OF WATER
PROPERTIES OF H2O| ORIGINS OF LIFE
HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION

• Water is the most abundant molecule on Earth
  – 70% of Earth’s surface is water in liquid or solid state
  – Also found in the atmosphere as vapor
• Water is found in 75% of the body
• Even some of the driest plants on Earth are at least 50% water

HOME | INTRO OF WATER
PROPERTIES OF H2O| ORIGINS OF LIFE
HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION

• Water is essential for the survival of all known forms of life
• Water is also needed to initiate life
  Primordial Soup Theory
  – Theory on the origins of life that believes that “multimers”, chains of amino acids smaller than polymers, were the catalysts of life.
  – These multimers formed through natural chemistry with monomer amino acids in a primordial lake or pond (most likely hot acidic water with some sulphur).
  – The abundance of iron in Earth’s early stages which combined with water and ultraviolet light from the sun, would release hydrogen from the water, making it possible for amino acids to form.
  – These amino acids chains formed the first RNA which acted as both the catalyst and genes, making the organisms to duplicate on their own.*For a short clip on the primordial soup click here.

Ergot to LSD | Discovery| Chemical Structure | How It Works | LSD’s Affect on History | History’s Affect on LSD | References

HOME | INTRO OF WATER
PROPERTIES OF H2O| ORIGINS OF LIFE
HISTORY OF CIVILIZATION

In this website you will learn about both the chemical composition and characteristics of water and also the role that water has played throughout history. The main aspects of history discussed will be waters essential role in the origins and sustenance of life as well . You will also learn about how water (and man’s need/desire to utilize it) led to the rise of civilizations. Also, look for in-text links that will help you learn about all of the wonders of water.