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Chapter Twelve
Hallucinogens Psychedelics Facts About Hallucinogens Hallucinogen any drug that radically changes one’s mental state by distorting
perception of reality to the point where hallucinations occur AKA: Psychedelic or mind-expanding drugs Hallucinogens Wide variety of substances that differ in structure range from wholly synthetic products to natural plant extracts Hallucinogens Examples Mescaline can be manufactured synthetically or extracted from
peyote cactus. Psilocybin can be chemically produced or extracted from certain
mushrooms. Hallucinogens Some hallucinogens are found in naturally occurring substances morning glory seeds jimson weed nutmeg mushrooms *cannabis is often classified as a hallucinogen General Effects Effects depend on the amount taken the user’s past drug experience the manner in which the drug is taken the circumstances under which the drug is taken Hallucinogens Effects of hallucinogens and reaction differs from person to person. range from ecstasy to terror Emotional state varies during one episode. Hallucinogens Low doses cause wide range of effects depending on the properties of the
drug and the user’s sensitivity. Hallucinations are most likely to occur at high doses. Hallucinogens User may have different reactions to the same drug on different occasions. pleasant one time and very disturbing or threatening the next Probably due to the wide variations in composition and quality of illicit
drugs. Tolerance and Dependence Regular use of hallucinogens such as LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin induces
tolerance within a few days. little or no effect is experienced even with high doses Cross-tolerance develops among LSD, mescaline, psilocybin, and DMT. Normal sensitivity usually returns after abstaining for several consecutive
days. Tolerance and Dependence Chronic users may become psychologically dependent. Hallucinogens do not appear to cause physical dependence Withdrawal reactions have not be observed even after long-term use. LSD Manufactured from lysergic acid found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye
and other grains. One of the most potent mood-altering chemicals. Odorless, colorless, and tasteless Sold on the streets in tablets, capsules, and occasionally in liquid
form. LSD Usually taken orally but can be injected often added to absorbent paper and divided into small decorated squares
with each square representing one dose LSD The effects of high doses can last for 10 to 12 hours. Tolerance develops rapidly. LSD Common street names acid trips tabs blotters microdots stars purple mike blue mike superman LSD can take 20 to 60 minutes to take effect resulting altered state of mind à "trip" one trip can last from 4 to 12 hours depending on the amount of drug
taken LSD Physical effects increased blood pressure dilated pupils rapid heart rate LSD Other frequent side effects muscular weakness trembling nausea chills hyperventilation impaired motor skills and coordination LSD intense effects on perception, thought, and mood user may experience several different emotions at one time or swing rapidly
from one mood to another hearing, smell and vision may be intensified or merged sense of time and space may be affected LSD Diminishes user’s capacity to distinguish the boundaries between one object
and another and differentiate between self and the environment. LSD Some users experience prolonged serious depression, anxiety, and even
psychotic reactions. LSD Possible after-effect are "flashbacks". Spontaneous recurrence of the sensations that occurred during a previous
trip. Can occur days, weeks, or even years after LSD use. May be pleasant or severely disturbing. Psilocybin The active ingredient in the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom and some other
mushroom species. Psilocybin Pure psiolcybin is a white crystalline substance. Sold as crude mushroom preparation capsule containing a powdered material of any color Usually taken orally but can be injected. Psilocybin Effects are usually felt within 1/2 hour and last several hours. Small doses may cause mental and physical relaxation, fatigue, detachment. Psilocybin Effects Mood swings Vivid perceptual distortion Disrupted thought patterns Intense preoccupation with trivial details Users often report profound mystical or religious experiences. Psilocybin Larger doses can produce dizziness lightheadedness abdominal discomfort numbness of the tongue, lips, mouth nausea anxiety shivering Psilocybin Marked changes in perception gradually develop and the user experiences
effects similar to those of LSD. DMT (dimethyltryptamine) Synthetic chemical resembling psilocin usually consumed along with marijuana marijuana is soaked in solution of DMT, then dried and smoked in a pipe
or as a cigarette DMT Effects similar to those of LSD begin almost immediately after ingestion last approximately 30 to 60 minutes DMT anxiety reactions and panic states are more frequently associated with DMT
than other hallucinogens Morning Glory Seeds The predominant active ingredient is chemically related to LSD but about
1/10 as potent. Seeds are brown or black and can be eaten or ground. Have little effect if eaten whole. Morning Glory Seeds If chewed, effects begin within 30 to 90 minutes and are similar to those
of LSD. Active ingredient, lysergic acid, can be extracted from the seeds and
injected to produce a more intense, immediate experience. Morning Glory Seeds Packaged commercially and sold legally. Often treated with insecticides, fungicides, and other chemicals and are
poisonous if enough seeds are consumed. Mescaline Prepared from the peyote cactus Heads or "buttons" of the cactus are dried, then sliced, chopped, or
ground. Can be synthesized as a powder and distributed in capsule or tablet form. Mescaline Usually taken orally Can be inhaled by smoking ground peyote "buttons". Can be injected but this is rare considerably less potent than LSD At low doses, onset of effects are slow and last from 1 to 18 hours. Mescaline Physical effects include dilated pupils higher body temperature some muscular relaxation nausea vomiting Mescaline Common mental effects euphoria heightened sensory perception visual hallucinations perceived alterations of one’s body image difficulty thinking reports of mystical religious experiences are common Mescaline High doses cause headache dry skin hypotension (low BP) cardiac depression slowing of respiratory rate |
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