Stephany Derynck and Allie Bacon Hallucinogens Stephany Derynck and Allie Bacon

Drug Category Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that are able to alter your perception (awareness of surrounding objects and conditions), feelings, and thoughts. They cause hallucinations, or sensations and images that seem realistic, but aren't really there. Being a heterogeneous group, these compounds have different chemical structures, different mechanisms of action, and different conflicting effects.

Scientific NAmes Lysergic Acid Diethylamide- LSD (acid) Agaricus Bisporus - Mushrooms Dimethyltryptamine- DMT Mescaline- Peyote Phencyclidine- PCP Salvia divinorum- Salvia Dextromethorphan- DXM 4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine - Psilocybin

Street Names LSD Acid Battery acid Blotter Boomers California Sunshine Cid Doses Dots Golden Dragon Heavenly Blue Hippie Loony toons Microdot Pane Purple Heart Superman Tab Window pane Yellow sunshine Zen

HISTORY OF HALLUCINOGENS Many cultures have used hallucinogens for religious experiences. The Hindu holy book mentions Soma as a sacred substance, which is thought to have been derived from Mushroom juice. The ancient Aztecs described ceremonial use of teotlaqualli, which is a paste made from a hallucinogenic flower. Mexican Indians have a long history of the use of Peyote, a mescaline- containing hallucinogen, used for religious ceremonies. Peyote Mushrooms (Soma juice)

LSD, the first synthetic hallucinogen was discovered in 1938 by Sandoz laboratories. Swiss chemist Albert Hoffman who discovered it began to experience hallucinations after being exposed to the drug. He began to market the drug in 1947 and it was used by psychiatrists who believed it could be used in psychotherapy to help patient access repressed emotions. The US central Intelligence Agency conducted human experiments with LSD. THey tested its use as an interrogation tool and as a mind- control device, but these tests were conducted without the consent or knowledge of the participants. LSD use increased in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. In 1966, the federal government banned LSD because of increasing public health concerns. The use of hallucinogens declined in the 1970’s and early 1980’s but recent studies have shown an increase in use in the 1990’s `

MEDICAL USES FOR THE DRUG There are ancient hallucinogens that medicine men used to diagnose and treat illnesses of the brain. Psychologists and psychiatrists practiced with hallucinogenic and psychedelic drugs up until the early 1970s. Drugs like MDMA and LSD were experimented with to help with psychotic disorders, opiate addiction, mood disorders, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety In the 1970s, because of the hippie culture the United States government made these medicines illegal. In the 1990s, the government lifted the ban on many of them and several studies are now being undertaken to find out if some of them can help with these very same conditions.

FORMS OF THE DRUG Hallucinogens come in a number of different forms. For example: LSD is a powerful drug – typically, small squares of blotting paper or gelatine are soaked in LSD, which are then swallowed, although it may also come in tablets or capsules. PCP usually comes in the form of tablets, capsules or powders of various colours. It is usually swallowed, sniffed or injected, but is sometimes smoked. Ketamine can be made into tablets or pills, or dissolved in liquid. It is usually swallowed, snorted or injected. Magic mushrooms can be cooked, boiled into a drink or eaten raw. Mescaline from the peyote cactus can be found as a white powder, while dried, ground peyote buttons can be found as capsules. It is usually swallowed, but can be chewed or smoked.

SHORT TERM EFFECTS High-blood pressure Hallucinations; tastes, smells, or see things that aren’t real Becoming out of touch with reality Dilated pupils Sleeplessness Increased heart rate Dry mouth Loss of appetite. Violent behavior Distorted reality Aggressiveness Distorted sense of time and space Sense of relaxation and well-being Chills and flushing Shaking Poor coordination Distorted body image, feeling of floating or out-of-body experiences

LONG TERM EFFECTS Flashbacks weeks, months, or even years after the drug use These flashbacks may be set off by using other drugs or just by physical exercise and may be pleasant or a living nightmare. Most Flashbacks last a short amount of time ( 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

ACCESSIBILITY Some hallucinogens come from mushrooms (psilocybin), cacti (mescaline) and other plants (cannabis, salvia). Of these, cannabis and psilocybin are almost always used in their natural form. Although LSD is used only in a synthesized form, a related drug, LSA, is found in nature. Other hallucinogens, such as MDMA and ketamine, are created in laboratories.

HOW THE DRUG WORKS Hallucinogens are thought to produce their perception- altering effects by acting on neural circuits in the brain that use neurotransmitter serotonin (Passie, 2008; Nichols, 2004; Schindler, 2012; Lee, 2012). Some of their most prominent effects occur in the brain's cortex. This is an area that involves mood, cognition, and perceptions, as well as other regions important in regulation arousal and physiological responses to stress and panic.

Damages While science has proved a lot on understanding and examining the effects of hallucinogens on the brain, there is still much to be learned. We know roughly how hallucinogenic effects are produced, but given the wide range of effects hallucinogens can have on people, there is a lot more work to be done to consider the effects the drugs have on the brain.

WHO USES The DRUG MOST OFTEN Although all age groups use hallucinogens recreationally, most people between the ages of 15 and 29 use it primarily. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, around 1.1 million people 12 and older have tried at least one of the hallucinogens within the past 12 months. The reason young people are doing them so often is for raves, festivals, school, home, parties and such and are introduced to it in today’s world.

Withdrawal symptoms Flashbacks Muscle spasms Loss of coordination Aggressive, hostile or violent behavior Zombie-like state High blood pressure Rapid heart rate Fear of going insane Depression Frank psychosis Hyperthermia Diarrhea Permanent post-hallucinogenic perceptual disturbance Long-term psychosis

Treatment for addiction The medical treatment for hallucinogen intoxication and withdrawal involves stabilizing physiological processes and treating psychosis. Usually the patient has to be sedated for harsh and aggressive behavior. While there is no specific protocol for hallucinogens, there are medications that can calm the body and mind during withdrawal and then, if necessary, handle any psychological shifts caused by the absence of the drug.

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