Group 6 Brian Weitz Jessica Smith Graham Proctor Darrielle Mitchell Hallucinogens Group 6 Brian Weitz Jessica Smith Graham Proctor Darrielle Mitchell

Table of Contents What is a Hallucinogen? Psychedelics Dissociatives Deleriants How are Hallucinogens Used? How do They Work? Short and Long-Term Effects Health Complications Quiz Links to Further Information

What is a hallucinogen? A drug that changes perception, thought, or emotion They also alter senses, consciousness, and may cause hallucinations. Because this classification is too broad, there are three subgroups of hallucinogens. These are: Psychedelics Dissociatives Deliriants

Psychedelics Psychedelic drugs, also called psychoactives, include: LSD (acid), psilocybin (shrooms), mescaline (peyote), LSA, MDMA (ecstasy) and cannabis (weed). These drugs enhance the thought process of the brain giving a “mind expanding” experience. They temporarily disable filters in the brain which usually block unimportant or unwanted thoughts from reaching the conscious mind. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bpZZUrMmtU

Dissociatives Dissociatives include: phencyclidine (PCP), ketamine (an anesthetic) and dextromethorphan (DXM), nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and salvia divinorum. These drugs block signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain. The loss of these senses leave the user in a dream-like state of self exploration and hallucinations. All of the drugs listed above are legal except for PCP and can be bought in stores.

Deliriants Deleriants (anticholinergics) are said to be ‘true hallucinogens’ because they cause a dissociation from regular consciousness These drugs include the plants deadly nightshade, mandrake, and henbane and the pharmaceuticals diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine). Anticholinergics are toxic and can cause death at high doses, as well many uncomfortable side-effects.

How are Hallucinogens Used? In most cases they are ingested, such as LSD, Mushrooms, Peyote, and Ecstasy. They are also commonly smoked, such as marijuana. Other ways are by snorting or injecting. These drugs are usually crushed from a solid into a powder and then used.

How do Hallucinogens Work? Many hallucinogenic drugs share a basic chemical structural unit the indole ring, which is found in the nervous system substance serotonin. They tamper with the central nervous system by blocking signals from the senses and disabling filters in the brain that block unwanted or unnecessary thoughts from reaching the conscious mind. Some hallucinogens starve the brain of oxygen.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects Short-Term: distortion of color, time and distance, vivid visual and audial hallucinations, impaired judgment, altered memory, problems with concentrating and communicating, and in some cases, intense fear, anxiety, and psychosis. Long-Term: Heavy usage has shown to deteriorate the ability to reason and communicate with others. They have also been known to affect the memory. Years after taking a hallucinogen, a flashback may occur, bringing on the same affects experienced while on the drug.

Health Complications Increased heart rate and blood pressure, fever, dilated pupils, tremors, nausea, chills and numbness are all symptoms of hallucinogens. Many are non-toxic or very low in toxicity, however they may starve the brain of oxygen or dehydrate the user. Others, especially deleriants, are extremely toxic and can cause death due to overdose.

Quiz What drugs are associated with hallucinogens? Which type of hallucinogen is deadly? What is one effect hallucinogens have on people? How can LSD affect you in the future? What is one way a hallucinogen can produce its affect ? True of False Non toxic hallucinogens are ok to do. Hallucinogens make you smarter and more creative A hallucinogen can cause someone to go psychotic. An LSD flashback can occur to a 60 year-old man who took the drug in his 20’s.

Further Information on Hallucinogens Can Be Found at… teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/mom_hal1.asp - 33k www.well.com/user/woa/fshallu.htm www.health.org/govpubs/PHD642/