Types of Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are further classified into two subclasses:

Classic Hallucinogens

Classic hallucinogens are a category of chemicals that causes a distortion in one’s perception of reality. Some people report experiencing an expansion of consciousness, and an altered sense of time and space. Visual and sensory hallucinations are common side effects.

Some common classic hallucinogens :

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a drug manufactured from a certain type of fungus, and can produce powerful mood alterations and visual hallucinations. Sometimes using LSD can also produce “bad trips” resulting in intense anxiety and depressive states.

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) is a chemical that is naturally produced in a plant, but it is also manufactured in labs. DMT is also a naturally occurring chemical in the human brain in trace quantities. DMT is only known to cause intense intoxication but no long term negative effects have been reported.

Ayahuasca is a type of tea brewed from specific plants containing DMT.

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine) is another naturally occurring chemical present in some varieties of mushrooms, or shrooms. Consumed in the form of tea, psilocybin can create hallucinations, and spiritual experiences, however side effects may include panic, paranoia and nausea. Accidental ingestion of poisonous mushrooms also carries the risk of death.

Dissociative Drugs

This category of hallucinogens are known to affect an individual’s perception of sight and sound causing visual and auditory hallucinations. Another major effect created by this class of drugs is an experience of dissociation from one’s self.

Some common dissociative hallucinogens :

Ketamine (Special K) is a type of chemical that is used in anesthetic medications, particularly in trauma patients. However, when abused this drug can produce powerful dissociative experiences such as near-death experiences, out-of-body experiences, and other experiences sometimes referred to as spiritual.

PCP (Phencyclidine) is another drug that was initially designed to be used as an anesthetic, but can create powerful side effects causing hallucinations, amnesia, paranoia, and a distorted sense of perception. Long-term use of PCP may cause respiratory issues, heart attack, brain hemorrhage, kidney failure and other risks.

How do Hallucinogens work?

Although it is not proven through research, classic hallucinogens are thought to disrupt the neural circuits of the brain that use serotonin as a neurotransmitter, which affects the prefrontal cortex area of the brain that regulates moods and responses to stress.

Dissociative drugs are thought to disrupt the brain’s glutamate system that affects learning, memory and emotions.

Short-Term Effects of Hallucinogens

• Distorted perception of reality
• Feelings of euphoria, mania
• Intense sensory experiences
• Difficulty focusing
• Paranoia, Panic attacks
• Insomnia
• Anxiety, depression

Long-term Effects of Hallucinogens

• Persistent Psychosis, creating a long-term state of psychosis. This may cause severe mood swings, disturbing hallucinations and delusions, sometimes lasting for several years.
• Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), popularly known as flashbacks, specifically sensory distortions such as hallucinations, visual disturbances such as halos around objects, sometimes lasting for several years.

Treatment

Although most hallucinogens are not considered addictive, long-term use and overdosing may sometimes cause adverse reactions needing immediate attention.

Some hallucinogens, such as PCP are known to be addictive and treatment should include detox, rehab and prevention of relapsing.