John Jennings Amanda Whitecotton Hallucinogens John Jennings Amanda Whitecotton

What are hallucinogens? Hallucinogens are drugs that cause hallucinations - profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality. Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid, intense emotional swings.

How they work: Hallucinogens cause their effects by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin. Distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord, the serotonin system is involved in the control of behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, including mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception.

Common Hallucinogens LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide0 Mushrooms Ecstasy PCP

Statistics Approximately 34.2 million Americans aged 12 and older (or 13.8% of the population) reported trying hallucinogens at least once. (NSDUH, 2007) •    9.1 % of Americans over the age of 12 reported using LSD in their lifetime and 2.5% reported using PCP in their lifetime. (NSDUH, 2007) •    7.8% of high school seniors used hallucinogens other than LSD in 2008 (this “other” group includes peyote, psilocybin and others). (MTFS, 2008)

More Info about Mushrooms There are 2500 different types of mushrooms. Of these, several have hallucinogenic properties. Some are domestically grown or are grown in the wild. Others are smuggled from Mexico or Central America. The main two ingredients in mushrooms are psilocybin and psilocin, and the most common form of using the drug is by simply just eating it.

Short term effects Increased heart rate Abnormal, rapid breathing Increased blood pressure Heart failure Abnormal, rapid breathing Lung failure Changed emotional feelings Confusion Disorientation Suspiciousness Mixed-up speech Loss of muscle control Meaningless movements Irrational actions Distorted reality Distorted sense of time and space Sense of relaxation and well-being Nausea and loss of appetite Chills and flushing Shaking Poor coordination Distorted body image, feeling of floating or out-of-body experiences Dilated eyes Seeing things that aren't really there

Long term effects Flashbacks weeks, months, or even years after the drug use Flashbacks may be set off by using other drugs or by physical exercise Flashbacks may be pleasant or a living nightmare Most flashbacks last a very short time, only a minute or two Decreased motivation Prolonged depression Increased panic Impaired memory and concentration Possible severe mental disturbances Psychosis Increased delusions Bad trips may last hours, weeks, and even months

QUIZ 1) How many different mushroom varieties are there? 50 200 1000 2500 1500 2) (True or False) All mushrooms have hallucinogenic properties? 3) (True or False) Enhanced vision is a long term effect of Hallucinogenic drugs? 4) What is the most common way of taking mushrooms? Snorting injecting eating smoking (True or False) Nicotine and LSD are the main ingredients in mushrooms?

ANSWERS 2500 False Eating/ingesting