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10 February, 2010

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Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a type of drug that change a person’s perception of reality. Also known as ‘psychedelic drugs’, hallucinogens make a person see, feel and hear things that aren’t real, or distort their interpretation of what’s going on around them. Some are quick acting, others take longer to take effect. Being under the influence of a hallucinogen is commonly called ‘tripping’.

Some hallucinogens are synthetically manufactured, like LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), PCP (phencyclidine, or ‘angel dust’) and ketamine. Others are naturally occurring compounds found in particular plants. For instance, the peyote cactus produces the hallucinogen mescaline, while psilocybin is found in certain mushrooms, known as ‘magic mushrooms’.

Hallucinogens vary
Hallucinogens come in a number of different forms. For example:

LSD is a powerful drug – typically, small squares of blotting paper or gelatine are soaked in LSD which are then swallowed, although it may also come in tablets or capsules.
PCP usually comes in the form of pills, capsules or powders of various colours. It is usually swallowed, sniffed or injected, but is sometimes smoked.
Ketamine can be made into tablets or pills, or dissolved in liquid. It is usually swallowed, snorted or injected.
Magic mushrooms can be cooked, boiled into a drink or eaten raw.
Mescaline can appear as a white powder while dried, ground peyote buttons are usually found as capsules. It is usually swallowed, but can be chewed or smoked.

Some depressant and stimulant drugs also have a hallucinogenic effect in high doses, including cannabis and ecstasy. Since a person’s sense of distance, time and objective reality are warped when under the influence of hallucinogens, serious injury and accidental death are real risks.

How hallucinogens work
Hallucinogens target specific centres of the brain to alter the interpretations of sensory input. For instance, a person might be looking at a blank wall, but their hallucinating brain will interpret the blank wall as moving and swirling, or perhaps covered in insects.

Common effects
The effects of hallucinogens depend on the type of drug, the strength of the dose, the physiology of the person taking them and their state of mind.

Generally, some of the common effects of hallucinogens include:

Hallucinations of sight, sound, taste and touch
A blurring of the senses, such as sounds being ‘felt’ or colours being ‘heard’
Feeling detached from the body
Distortions of time, direction and distance
Relaxation
Accelerated heart rate
Dilated pupils
Nausea and loss of appetite.

‘Bad trips’
Hallucinogens are unpredictable drugs. Just because someone has an enjoyable ‘trip’ the first time doesn’t guarantee they will always have pleasant experiences.

Every person runs the risk of having a ‘bad trip’. Symptoms can include nightmarish hallucinations, extreme panic, paranoia and nausea. It is also possible to have a mixture of good and bad experiences in the one trip.

Other unpleasant side effects can include:

Muscle spasms and loss of coordination
Convulsions and unconsciousness
Aggressive, hostile and violent behaviour
Catatonic syndrome, which means the user falls into a ‘zombie-like’ state.

If an overdose is suspected, dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately.

Dependence, tolerance and withdrawal
Like many other drugs, it is possible to build up a tolerance to hallucinogens. This means larger and larger doses need to be taken to achieve the same effect.

Some people develop a psychological dependence and feel that regular drug use is an important part of their lives. Research so far indicates that people don’t become physically dependent on hallucinogens like LSD. If a person stops taking the drug, they don’t experience any noticeable withdrawal symptoms.

Damage caused by long-term use
Some people are plagued by ‘flashbacks’, which can happen days, weeks, months or even years after taking the drug. They briefly relive the hallucinations of a previous trip, so powerfully that it seems as if they have been transported back in time and space, or they may experience distortions of their present reality. Having hallucinations when not under the influence of any hallucinogenic drugs can be very frightening.

Type of help available
Treatment options for drug dependence include detoxification, individual counselling and group therapy. See your doctor for information and referral, or contact an alcohol and other drug service in your area.

Where to get help

Your doctor
Alcohol and other drug service
If an overdose is suspected, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance immediately
Drug Info Clearinghouse Tel. 1300 85 85 84 – for information
Direct Line Tel. 1800 888 236 – for 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol telephone counselling, information and referral
Counselling Online – for online counselling and referral
Family Drug Help – for information and support for people concerned about a relative or friend using drugs Tel. 1300 660 068

Things to remember

Hallucinogens are illegal drugs that alter a person’s perception of reality.
These drugs are either synthetically manufactured or derived from plants.
Some people experience ‘flashbacks’ which can occur days, weeks, months or even years after taking the hallucinogen.

You might also be interested in:
Cocaine.
Drugs - some facts.
Ecstasy.

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