Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are…. A substance that produces psychological effects normally associated with dreams, schizophrenia, or religious visions. Drugs that produces changes in perception, thought and feeling. Drugs that affect each person differently. Psychedelics Dissociatives Deliriants A substance which produces hallucinations.

Types of Hallucinogens Brief description LSD Also known as Acid; was discovered in 1938 by Dr. Albert Hofmann; one of the most potent brain changing chemicals known. Peyote Found in a small, spineless cactus in which the principal active ingredient is mescaline; can also be produced through chemical synthesis. Psilocybin Also known as magic mushrooms because it’s obtained from certain types of mushrooms; typically contains another hallucinogen called psilocin. PCP Also known as angel dust; developed in the 1950’s as an intravenous anesthetic; has since been discontinued due to adverse side effects.

Neurological Effects Hallucinations, which are profound distortions in a person’s perception of reality. Effects are caused by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin. The serotonin system is distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord and is involved in the control of behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, including mood, hunger, body temp, sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception.

Physiological Effects Effects depend largely on the amount taken Dilated pupils Raised body temperature and blood pressure Loss of appetite Sleeplessness Dry mouth Dramatic changes in sensations and feelings Delusions Sense of time and self is altered May ‘cross over’ senses (feel/hear colors, see sounds)

Psychedelic Effects Typically last eight to twelve hours Visual hallucinogens including uninterrupted: pictures, radiant kaleidoscopic colors, curved/warped patterns, things/people morphing, objects appearing to ripple/breathe Energy Music sounds better Intensity varies from person to person Strong sense of spirituality Euphoria

Tripping on acid One night at a party, Nina age 19, is offered the opportunity to trip on acid. At first she is apprehensive, but then agrees to partake. She pays her five dollars and is given a small piece of acid laced blotter paper with a cool design on it. She places it on her tongue and waits the few minutes for it to dissolve. Thirty minutes later, Nina starts to feel nauseous, but forces herself to breathe through it, and not give in and vomit because her friends have told her that it is normal to feel that way when the drug starts kicking in. Shortly, Nina doesn’t feel sick anymore, and the effects of the acid are beginning. Suddenly Nina feels like the knowledge of everything has been opened up to her. Everything seems perfect and wonderful and she is in a state of complete and total happiness. She has lots of energy and can’t stop thinking, talking, and writing. She sees brilliant, indescribable colors, shapes and motions. She wants this to last forever. She feels that she is in control of her behavior for the most part, and enjoys a pleasant night and a mind opening experience. About 12 hours after consumption, the drug starts to wear off. Nina is left feeling sad, empty, depressed, and longing to return to that place in her mind. Nina then goes home and sleeps for 18 hours and then wakes up feeling relatively normal and able to function. She plans on tripping again someday. A bad trip, on the other hand, is not something that anyone would want to experience again. This is when the euphoria turns into something sinister and frightening. It can be triggered by a threatening or adverse environment, the surfacing of difficult or unconscious memories, or a sense of being overwhelmed by the power of the drug. A bad trip includes strong and intense feelings of paranoia, sensations of dying, fear, and anxiety. It is a deeply uncomfortable and traumatic state.

Health Risks Short term Long term Unaware/indifferent to your surroundings Flashbacks Impaired good decision making Decreased motivation Mood changes Prolonged depression Increased heart rate Impaired memory Rapid breathing Increased tolerance Disorientation Desire to take the drug again Irrational behavior anxiety

Signs and symptoms of hallucinogen abuse Difficulty concentrating/communicating Unable to distinguish between reality and illusion Panic attacks Agitation Paranoia Uncontrollable laughter Perceptual distortions Audio, visual, sensory hallucinations Euphoria/mania

Does this sound like you…? You have tried acid or other hallucinogens and you really liked it. Now it’s all you can think about. Obtaining and using the drug has become your life’s main focus. Well, let me reassure you that there is help available, and you can overcome the urge to use. Seeking professional help will help you to begin finding happiness in other places besides drugs. Please visit these webites as a first step in the direction toward sobriety: www.abovetheinfluence.com www.drugabuse.gov/publications www.drugfree.org/drugguide/lsd www.howstuffworks.com www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hallucinogens www.thegooddrugsguide.com/lsd