Hallucinogen

What are hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that work on the brain to affect the senses and cause ‘hallucinations’

Seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or touching things that do not exist.

Hallucinogens also called…

Psychedelics: substances that expand or heighten perception and consciousness.

Psychotomimetic: substances that mimic psychosis.

Psychotogenic: substances that produce psychosis.

"mind-expanding"

Hallucinogens…

Some hallucinogens occur naturally. Others are made in laboratories by mixing

different chemical substances (‘trips’, LSD,‘acid’).

Some drugs, such as cannabis and ecstasy can cause hallucinogen-like effects when used in high doses or in certain ways.

Using hallucinogens is often called ‘tripping’.

Effects of hallucinogens

Depends on:• how much you take• your height and weight• your general health• your mood• your past experience with hallucinogens• whether you use hallucinogens on their own orwith other drugs• whether you use alone or with others, at homeor at a party, etc.The effects of hallucinogens are not easy to predict.The effects are different for different people and at different

times

The main effects of hallucinogens are changes in the way you perceive things with your

senses.

They can include strange sensations such as floating or your body becoming part of another object.

Some people find such unusual sensations interesting and pleasant, while to others these

same effects are unpleasant and disturbing.

Bad tripSome users can experience many general senses

of fear, unrelieved terror, they are going insane or will never return to reality.

Users may exhibit actions suggesting harm to themselves or others around them. This harm could take the form of suicidal ideation.

Medical treatment consists of supportive therapy and minimization of external stimuli. In some cases, sedation is used when necessary to control self-destructive behavior, or when hyperthermia occurs. Diazepam is the most frequently used sedative for such treatment, but other benzodiazepines such as lorazepam are also effective.

In severe cases, antipsychotics such as haloperidol can reduce or stop hallucinations, but this treatment is only effective against the so-called "classical" hallucinogens (LSD, psilocybin and mescaline, among others).

Flashbacks

Spontaneous recurrence of trip after period of normalcy

can occur after long periods of abstinencemore common after multiple high dose useprolonged afterimages for days and weeks after

tripping mechanism unknown can be brought on by other drugs or setting most commonly reported in low light situationsnot intrinsically dangerous and usually go away

4 Categories of Hallucinogens

1) Serotonin-like2) Psychedelic Anesthetics3) Anticholinergic4) Catecholamine-like

Serotonin-like Hallucinogens

Act as agonist of Serotonin Receptors.Examples:LSDPsilocybinPsilocinDMTBufotenineOloliuquiHarmine

Serotonin

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide LSD

LSD (‘acid, ‘trips’) is the most often used form of hallucinogen. In its pure form LSD is a white, odorless powder.

Synthesized from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot alkaloids of the rye fungus.

fungus growing on various grains. Produced in labs specifically for illegal drug market. No current medical use.

This pure form is very strong. It comes in liquid form, tablets, capsules or

squares of gelatin or blotting paper or postage stamp-sized papers impregnated with varying doses of LSD (50 to 300 mg or more).

Effects

Effects are felt within an hour, and last 2 to 12 hours. Perception intensifies, colors appear brighter, objects

more sharply defined or distorted. Dilation of pupils, dizziness, dreamy detached feelingsPossible changes in the perception of time and distance.A person may feel the body as light, heavy or distorted. Thinking and concentration are difficult and short-term

memory is impaired. Extreme mood swings, including joy, inspiration, depression, anxiety, terror, aggression can occur.

At High doses causes nausea, tremors, & confusion.

Psilocybin/Psilocin

Found in psiloycbe mexicana mushroomIn its pure form, psilocybin is also a white

powder, but it is usually sold as dried mushrooms or in substances made from mushrooms.

Street Names: mushrooms, magic mushrooms, shrooms, Musk, Silly Putty, Simple Simon.Psilocybin is from the same chemical family as

LSD so its effects are similar.

Last about 6-10 hours Need a lot to get same effect as LSD

How is Psilocybin Consumed?

• Eaten – While the mushrooms are usually dried prior to sale and/or consumption, they can be eaten raw or cooked like regular mushrooms.

• Drank – Heated with water to make a tea or a soup.

• Smoked – The mushroom is ground into a fine powder and often smoked on top of marijuana.

Psilocybin

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)Short-acting serotonin agonist (30 min)snorted or smokedCan’t be taken orally.

Bufotenine Found in toad skins

OloliuquiFound in morning glory seeds100 seeds creates hallucinations, distorted visions,

confusion.Side Effects: nausea, vomiting, headache, &

sleepiness.

HarmineFound in plants & shrubs in Middle East &South America.Side Effects: intoxication, hallucinations, sleep, nausea,

and vomiting.

Psychedelic Anesthetics

PCP (Phencyclidine)Ketamine(Ketalar)

Phencyclidine

Street Names: Angel Dust, Black Dust, Blue Madman, Busy Bee, Cliffhanger, Crazy Coke.

Developed as intravenous anesthetic. Use was discontinued due to delirium and

mania experienced after coming off drug (effects lasted up to 18hours).

Administered orally, smoked, snorted, or injected.

Stimulates brain reward areas, thus creating psychological dependence.

Withdrawal symptoms sometimes occur.

Phencyclidine

Ketamine

Street Names: Cat Valium, Jet, Kit Kat, Special K, Vitamin K

Developed to replace PCP as anesthetic. Injected, snorted, orally ingested.Odorless, tasteless so often used as date rape

drug

Anticholinergic Hallucinogens

Attach to Acetylcholine receptors and block the

site so Acetylcholine cannot attach.Impairs learning and memory as resultFound in Belladonna, Nightshade,

Jimsonweed, and Mandrake plants.Effects: Dry mouth, decreased sweating, dryskin, increased body temperature, blurred

vision,increased heart rate, dilated pupils,

drowsiness,decreased attention.

@ High Doses = Hallucinations, paralysis of respiratory system, coma, and death.Examples: Scopolamine, Mandrake, Hyoscine,

Hyoscyamine, and Atropine.

Catecholamine-Like HallucinogensAlso called Phenethylamine PsychedelicsStructurally similar to Catecholamines (Norepinephrine

& Dopamine) and Amphetamines.EXAMPLES: Mescaline Myristin: found in nutmeg

Elemicin: found in nutmeg Norepinephrine Dopamine

Amphetamine

Synthetic Amphetamine Derivatives

DOM (dimethoxymethylamphetamine)

MDA (Methylenedioxyamphetamine)

TMA (trimethoxyamphetamine)

DMA (dimethoxymethylamphetamine)

MDE (methylenedioxyethylamphetamine)

MDMA (methylenedioymethamphetamine)

PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine)

Mescaline

Peyote or "Mescal buttons" consists of the dried tops of the cactus Lophophora Williamsii

(Fam. Cactaceae).• This plant has been associated

with Indian ceremonies for many years. It disturbs normal mental function and causes concomitant hallucinations and euphoria.

• The drug contains several alkaloids, including Mescaline (that is the most active constituent).

Mescaline is a hallucinogenic alkaloidAdministration

Chewed raw or cooked and eaten Pure powder form

High cost of synthesis and lacks a large market

Salvia divinorum potent hallucinogen

Many other Salvia spp. may also contain psychoactive diterpenes. “Salvinorin A”

Related to Sage plants/Mint familyMexican originFirst reported in 1962 but popularity increased via

Internet…Salvinorin A acts as opioid receptor agonist.The plant leaf is chewed, smoked or taken as

tincture.Produce brief effect.The most common after effect include improved

mood, sensation of insight and calmness.Low toxicity and low addictive potential

Salvia divinorum

tiny bit of crunched up leaves soaked in extract

Salvinorin A