PHYSIOLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS/PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
Learning Plan 10: Scoring
Guide Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Taryn Wheeler
11/29/2011
Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens -are a chemically diverse group of drugs that cause changes in a person’s
thought processes, perceptions of the physical world, and sense of time passing. Hallucinogens
can be found naturally in some plants, and can be synthesized in the laboratory. Most
hallucinogens are abused as recreational drugs. Hallucinogens are also called psychedelic drugs.
Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that
seem real but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid, intense emotional swings.
Hallucinogens cause their effects by disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the
neurotransmitter serotonin. Disrupted throughout the brain and spinal cord, the serotonin
system is involved in the control of behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, including
mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception.
Types of
LSD – (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) is one of the most common, most potent
mood-changing chemicals. It was discovered in 1938 and is manufactured from lysergic
acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.
Peyote – is a small, spineless cactus in which the principal active ingredient
is mescaline. This plant has been used by natives in northern Mexico and the
southwestern United States as part of religious ceremonies. Mescaline can also be
produced through chemical synthesis.
Psilocybin – Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried
and are typically taken orally. Psilocybin and its biologically active form, psilocin, cannot
be inactivated by cooking or freezing preparations. Thus, they may also be brewed as a
tea or added to other foods to mask their bitter flavor. The effects of psilocybin, which
appear within 20 minutes of ingestion, last approximately 6 hours.
PCP – Is a white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water or alcohol.
It has a distinctive bitter chemical taste. PCP can be mixed easily with dyes and is often
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
sold on the illicit drug market in a variety of tablet, capsule, and colored powder forms
that are normally snorted, smoked, or orally ingested. For smoking, PCP is often applied
to a leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano, or marijuana. Depending upon how
much and by what route PCP is taken, its effects can last approximately 4-6 hours.
For various Hallucinogens
Marijuana
Hashish
Mescaline and
Peyote
LSD
Pot, Reefer, Grass, Weed, Dope, Ganja,
Mary Jane, Sinsemiia, Urb
Hash
Mesc, Buttons, Cactus
Acid, Microdot, White lightning, Blue
heaven, Sugar cubes, Battery Acid, Blotter,
Boomers, California Sunshine, Cid, Doses,
Dots, Golden Dragon, Hippie, Loony toons,
Lucy in the sky with diamonds, Pane, Purple
Heart, Superman
MDMA (Ecstasy) E, XTC, vitamin E, candy, mind candy, nikEs,
blue nikEs, yellow bannans, mitubishis,
007’s, double stacks
(Combination of LSD and Ecstasy is referred
to “Candy Flipping”
Combination of Ecstasy and Mushrooms is
referred to “Hippie Flipping”
Psilocybin
Magic Mushrooms, shrooms
Phencyclidine
PCP, Hog, Angel Dust, Loveboat, Lovely
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
How do Hallucinogens Affect the Brain?
LSD, peyote, psilocybin, and PCP are drugs that cause hallucinations, which are profound
distortions in a person’s perception of reality. Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see
images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real but are not. Some hallucinogens also
produce rapid, intense emotional swings. LSD, peyote, and psilocybin cause their effects by
initially disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin. Disrupted
throughout the brain and spinal cord, the serotonin system is involved in the control of
behavioral, perceptual, and regulatory systems, including mood, hunger, body temperature,
sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception. On the other hand, PCP acts mainly
through a type of glutamate receptor in the brain that is important for the perception of pain,
responses to the environment, and learning and memory.
Physiological Effects
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Increased blood pressure and heart rate
Increased body temperature
Dizziness
Sweating
Nausea
Dry mouth
Numbness
Tremors
Loss of Appetite
Psychedelic Effects
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
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Depersonalization, dreamlessness
Sensory distortion
Altered mood
Impaired concentration and motivation
Loss of judgment, slowed reaction time
Illusion: mistaken perception of real stimuli
Delusion: irrational thinking
Confusion
Dissociative reactions
Acute panic
Flash backs
Acute anxiety
Fear over loss of control
Paranoia
Delusions leading to self-destructive behaviors
Of LSD, Mushrooms, PCPM and Mescaline
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Dilated pupils
Dizziness
Dry mouth
Numbness
Tremors
Heavy perspiration
Bad body odor
Chills
“Goose bumps”
Nausea
Muscle weakness
Trembling
Poor coordination
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
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Lowered body temperature (LSD or psilocybin mushrooms)
Higher body temperature (peyote/mescaline)
Rapid heart rate (LSD or psilocybin mushrooms)
Depressed heart rate and breathing (peyote/mescaline
High blood pressure (LSD or psilocybin mushrooms)
Lowered blood pressure (peyote/mescaline)
Seizures (LSD or psilocybin mushrooms)
Of LSD, Mushrooms, PCP and Mescaline
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Psychological dependence
Cross-tolerance – the need for increasing amounts to feel effects; covers various
substances, not just those someone has used
Depression
Anxiety
Increased risk of developing schizophrenia or psychotic episodes
Miscarriages
Birth defects
Fatal liver damage if the wrong mushroom is ingested
Flashbacks
Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) – trailing images, spots, auras, and
other visual disturbances; depression, or panic attacks; long after use or perhaps
permanent
Memory loss
Difficulty speaking
Unwanted weight loss
Recognizing signs of drug use and dependence
The particular signs and symptoms of drug use and dependence vary depending on the
type of drug. You might be able to tell that a family member or a friend is using or abusing a
drug based on the physical and behavioral signs and symptoms associated with the drug.
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Drug addiction symptoms and behaviors include:
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Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly- this can be daily or even several times a
day
Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Spending money on the drug, even though you can’t afford it
Doing things to obtain the drug that you normally wouldn’t do, such as stealing
Feeling that you need the drug to deal with your problems
Driving or doing other risky activities when you’re under the influence of the drug
Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug
It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or anger from signs of
drug use. Possible indications that a teenager is using drugs include:
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Problems at school- Frequently missing classes or missing school, a sudden disinterest
in school or school activities, or a drop in grades may be indicators of drug use.
Physical health issues- Lack of energy and motivation may indicate your child is using
certain drugs.
Neglected appearance- Teenagers are generally concerned about how they look. A lack
of interest in clothing, grooming or looks may be a warning sign of drug use.
Changes in behavior- Teenagers enjoy privacy, but exaggerated efforts to bar family
members from entering their rooms or knowing where they go with their friends might
indicate drug use. Also, drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and
friends may be linked to drug use.
Spending money- Sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation for its
use may be a sign of drug use. You may also discover money stolen from previously safe
places at home. Items may disappear from your home because they’re being sold to
support a drug habit.
o Effects of withdrawal from hallucinogens have not been clearly established because these
drugs do not seem to be physically addictive. They may, however, be psychologically
addictive because users feel emotionally dependent on taking them.
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Fact Sheet on Hallucinogens
Works Cited
http://deoxy.org/psyguide.htm
http://drugabuse.gov/infofacts/hallucinogens.html
www.drugfree.org/drug-guide/lsd
http://www.egetgoing.com/drug_rehab/hallucinogens.asp
www.freemd.com/drugabuse/symptoms-hallucinogens.htm
http://www.intheknowzone.com/halluc/health.htm
http://mayoclinic.com/health/drug-addiction/DS00183/DS
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