Addictions

Hallucinogens: What They Are and What to Do About Them By Jill L. Ferguson

What is a Hallucinogen?

Hallucinogens are drugs that alter human perception and mood. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), “The biochemical, pharmacalogical and physiological basis for hallucinogenic activity is not well understood.” What is understood is that these substances produce changes in perception, thought and mood. These changes may be either pleasant or extremely frightening.

Hallucinogens affect the regions and structures of the brain, the neurotransmitters, that are responsible for coordination, thought processes, hearing and sight.

Hallucinogens can be found in natural plants and substances or can be synthetic. Some common natural hallucinogens include: peyote, psilocybin and psilocyn, and dimethyltryptamine (DMT). LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is manufactured from naturally found lysergic acid. Synthetic hallucinogens include: dimethoxyamphetamine (DOM), phencyclidine(PCP) and Ecstasy (MDMA).

Effects of Hallucinogens:

Hallucinogens induce physiological, sensory and psychic effects. They are also known for causing flashbacks, even when the person no longer uses the drug. The physiological effects include:

*elevated heart rate

*increased blood pressure

*dilated pupils

*sleeplessness and tremors

*lack of muscle coordination

*sparse, mangled, incoherent speech

*decreased awareness of touch or pain

*convulsions

*coma; heart and lung failure

The sensory effects of hallucinogen use include perceptual distortions. For example, one may “hear” color or “see” music.

The psychic or psychological effects include:

*disorders of thought associated with time and space

*depression, anxiety, paranoia

*violent behavior

*confusion, suspicion, loss of control

*schizophrenic psychosis-like behavior

*flashbacks

*severe depression

The most important thing to remember about hallucinogens is that each person will react differently depending upon body size, dosage and hallucinogenic drug type. Hallucinogens are very unpredictable, dangerous drugs, and just as the drugs themselves are unpredictable, so are the flashbacks, which occur more often during times of stress and seem “to occur more frequently in younger individuals” according to the DEA.

What About Dependence?

Some hallucinogens, such as LSD, are not considered physically addictive, since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. But chronic users have become psychologically dependent on hallucinogens. These drugs have become the central focus of people’s thoughts, emotions, activities and entire lives.

Even more dangerous than the psychological dependence on hallucinogens is the increased tolerance users have for the drugs. Regular use of LSD, mescaline, Ketamine and psilocybin have been known to induce tolerance in a few short days, demanding a need for increased doses to produce the state of intoxication (or trip) the person had previously achieved. The danger in this situation is not so much of an overdose, but the self-mutilating or rash decisions that lead to life-threatening accidents. Though few people have overdosed on a hallucinogen, with the exception of users of the toxic jimson weed, many people die each year from accidents while under the effects of LSD, PCP or other hallucinogens.

How to Help a Hallucinogen User: If you or someone you know is a hallucinogen user and needs help, contact your doctor or a local treatment facility (one can be found in the Yellow Pages of your phone book) to get an assessment. If you need a treatment program referral, information about support groups or local 12-step programs and/or more information drug and alcohol, contact the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at 1-800-662-HELP.

If someone you know becomes self-destructive during a hallucinogenic drug episode, never leave them alone. Call 911 or your local emergency medical services or have someone else do it. You just may save the person’s life.

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