Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Moraine Park Technical College
Amy Andrews
Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens- The general group of pharmacological agents can be divided into
three broad categories: psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants. These classes of
psychoactive drugs have in common that they can cause subjective changes in
perception, thought, emotion and consciousness. Unlike other psychoactive drugs,
such as stimulants and opioids, these drugs do not merely amplify familiar states of
mind, but rather induce experiences that are qualitatively different from those of
ordinary consciousness. These experiences are often compared to non-ordinary forms
of consciousness such as trance, meditation, and dreams. (Hanson, Venturelli, &
Fleckenstein, 2009)
Types of HallucinogensPsychedelics: Are a psychoactive drug whose primary action is to alter cognition and
perception. Examples are LSD, Psilocybin, Mescaline
Dissociatives: Are a class of psychoactive drugs which are said to reduce or block
signals to the conscious mind from other parts of the brain. Examples are PCP,
Ketemine, DXM
Deliriants: Plants as deadly nightshade, mandrake, henbane and datura. Also
antihistamines diphenhydramine (Benadryl), its close relative dimenhydrinate
(Dramamine or Gravol) and hydroxyzine.
Street Names for Various Hallucinogens
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LSD is known as acid, trips, microdots, dots, blotters, mellow or tabs may be
named according to the design on the blotting paper e.g. a picture of a yellow star
would attract the name, “yellow stars”
Mushrooms can be called their common botanical names, magic mushrooms,
shrooms, magics, blue meanies, liberty caps, golden tops, mushies
PCP: angel dust, peace pill
Ketamine: Special K, K, ket, kitkat, super K (“Hallucinogens,”)
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Neurological (brain) Effects of Hallucinogen Abuse- The effects that
hallucinogenic drugs have on the brain are quite complicated and very interesting.
Many users of hallucinogenic drugs have experienced whole personality changes
which raises questions about the relationship between brain and behavior. Scientists
began to carefully study the serotonin system and found out that hallucinogens do in
fact have some kind of effect on serotonin. Hallucinogenic drugs cause an increase in
the level of brain serotonin, but they inhibit the rapid firing of neurons containing
serotonin. This is a negative feedback system in which as the serotonin level rises, the
activity of serotonergic neurons decreases. It was originally theorized that this effect
of hallucinogenic drugs directly caused sense alteration and hallucinations. Several
observations however have shown this theory not to be true. These observations
include the following: Low doses of LSD effect behavior, but do not depress firing of
serotonergic neurons, The behavioral effects of LSD outlast the alteration of the firing
of the serotonergic neurons, Repeated dosage of LSD results in a decrease of
behavioral changes, but still effects neuron firing, Other hallucinogens do not affect
serotonergic neurons, When serotonin levels are depleted, the effectiveness of LSD is
not eliminated. It has now been determined that the effects of hallucinogenic drugs
are actually caused by the effects that hallucinogenic drugs have on the post-synaptic
activity of serotonergic neurons. Hallucinogenic drugs directly affect the serotonin
receptors(specifically the serotonin receptor subtype, 5-HT2), which is what
eventually results in a complex pattern of action potentials and activity. This was
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
proven by the fact that the depletion of serotonin levels in animals does not result in a
decrease of behavioral effects caused by hallucinogenic drugs. ("The effects of," )
Physiological Effects from Hallucinogen Abuse- Hallucinogenic drugs cause both
physical and psychological effects on humans. The physical effects of these drugs
include: dilated pupils, elevated body temperature, increased heart rate and blood
pressure, appetite loss, sleeplessness, tremors, headaches, nausea, sweating, heart
palpitations, blurring of vision, memory loss, trembling, and itching. A user of
hallucinogenic drugs will also experience a number of psychological alterations in the
brain. These drugs may cause hallucinations and illusions as well, as the amplification
of sense, and the alterations of thinking and self-awareness. It is quite possible to
have a bad reaction to hallucinogenic drugs. This is referred to as a "bad trip" and
may cause panic, confusion, suspicion, anxiety, and loss of control. The long-term
effects of these drugs can be quite dangerous. These long-term effects may include:
flashbacks, mood swings, impaired thinking, unexpected outbursts of violence and
eventually possibly depression that may lead to death or suicide. ("The effects of," )
Psychedelic Effects of Hallucinogen Abuse- Create a range of perceptual distortions
and various psychological symptoms. Under the influence of hallucinogens, the
senses seem to be enhanced, and brilliant hallucinations occur. Many users
experience synesthesia, in which various forms of hallucinations occur
simultaneously. Many also describe feeling disconnected from their bodies or other
altered states of reality.
Short and Long Term Health Risks of the Abuse of Hallucinogens-
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
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Increased rapid heart beat
Higher blood pressure
Agitation
Increased body temperature and sweating may lead to chills
Bad hallucinations
Panic attacks
Anxiety
Paranoia
Flashbacks after use
Dizziness
Impaired coordination
Nausea and vomiting
Long Term Side Effects
Flashbacks
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Are the most common long term effects associated with hallucinogens
Are moments where the effects of the drug are experienced and this can occur
years after use
They can last for a few minutes and can either be pleasant or uneasy
They are usually visual perhaps involving colors and hallucinations
Long term use of hallucinogens could impair memory and other brain functions
Personality and mood changes in people have occurred
Drug-induced psychosis involving hallucinations and delusional behaviour can occur,
lasting up to several hours. (“Hallucinogens,”)
Signs and Symptoms of Hallucinogen Abuse- Extremely dilated pupils, warm skin,
excessive perspiration, and body odor are symptoms. Distorted sense of sight, hearing,
touch; distorted image of self and time perception, mood and behavior changes, the
extent depending on emotional state of the user and environmental
conditions. Unpredictable flashback episodes even long after withdrawal (although these
are rare). Hallucinogenic drugs, which occur both naturally and in synthetic form, distort
or disturb sensory input, sometimes to a great degree. Hallucinogens occur naturally in
primarily two forms, (peyote) cactus and psilocybin mushrooms. Several chemical
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
varieties have been synthesized, most notably LSD, MDA, STP, and PCP. Hallucinogen
usage reached a peak in the United States in the late 1960s, but declined shortly thereafter
due to a broader awareness of the detrimental effects of usage. However, a disturbing
trend indicating resurgence in hallucinogen usage by high school and college students
nationwide has been acknowledged by law enforcement. With the exception of PCP, all
hallucinogens seem to share common effects of use. Any portion of sensory perceptions
may be altered to varying degrees. Synesthesia, or the “seeing” of sounds,and the
“hearing” of colors, is a common side effect of hallucinogen use. Depersonalization,
acute anxiety, and acute depression resulting in suicide have also been noted as a result
of hallucinogen use.
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
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Resources
Hanson, G, Venturelli, P, & Fleckenstein, A. (2009). Drugs and society. Sudbury MA:
Jones and Bartlett Publishers, LLC.
Hallucinogens. [Web]. Retrieved from http://www.ceida.net.au/hallucinogens/
The effects of hallucinogenic drugs on the brain. [Web]. Retrieved from
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1880