HALLUCINOGENIC DRUGS: What they are, Types and Effects

  • Jul 26, 2021
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Hallucinogenic drugs: what are they, types and effects

As much for the experience itself, mysticism or the feeling of escapism, psychedelic drugs have captured the interest of many people throughout history. The hallucinations provided by this type of substance generate experiences that are difficult to explain. Artists, cultures and spiritual gurus have drawn on the experience of these drugs for their inspiration and creation of ideas and ways of thinking. But is everything as good as it sounds? What exactly are hallucinogenic drugs? What types are there? Are there natural hallucinogenic drugs? In this Psychology-Online article, Hallucinogenic drugs: what are they, types and effects, we will explain the types and effects that some of the more well-known hallucinogens have.

Hallucinogenic drugs are one of the three types of drugs according to World Health Organization (WHO) drug classification. The two other types are depressant drugs and stimulant drugs.

Hallucinogenic drugs: definition

what are hallucinogen drugs? They are psychoactive substances

that when taken toThey alter the perception of reality, the emotions and the thinking of the user. Hallucinogenic drugs are capable of modifying sensations and senses, being able to generate hallucinations and sensory disturbances.

Although the effects are usually very variable from one person to another and depend on the particular drug used, a person who has taken hallucinogenic drugs will To have distortions in his senses, he will mix reality and fantasy, his thoughts will be altered and his mood may change drastically due to the intensity of the substance.

Hallucinogenic drugs mainly affect the central nervous system (CNS), where the brain is located. When entering neurons, these substances mainly alter the release and function of the neurotransmitter known as serotonin, a substance chemistry involved with sensory perception, pleasure, hunger, temperature, regulation of behavior, muscle control, and cheer up. Serotonin is not only found in the brain, but it is also found throughout the spinal cord.

Hallucinogenic drugs: what are they, types and effects - Hallucinogenic drugs: what are they

What are hallucinogenic drugs? There are different types of hallucinogenic drugs. In this article, we will introduce you to the most popular and frequently used types of hallucinogenic drugs, as well as their effect.

Hallucinogenic drugs: examples

  1. LSD
  2. Psilocybin or hallucinogenic mushrooms
  3. Mescaline
  4. Ecstasy
  5. Dimethyltryptamine
  6. Phencyclidine and ketamine

1. LSD

It is without a doubt the best known and most powerful hallucinogenic drug. That is, it is one of the strongest hallucinogenic drugs. LSD is created from a derivative of the rye mushroom and has an odorless, white, crystalline form and can be diluted in water. For consumption, the glass is usually ground into a powder for later or to make LSD tablets called "tripis" or impregnate paper or other material with diluted LSD and then be sucked.

LSD acts on the receptors of serotonin of the brain, known as 5-HT, interrupting the reception of serotonin in certain areas of the nervous system.

The LSD effects They are quite unpredictable in terms of the lived experience but they are usually strong hallucinations, distortion or loss of reality, and sudden mood swings. Its duration is usually quite long, a normal dose could last around 10 hours.

Given your unpredictable natureIts effects are often called "trips" and can be experienced both positively and negatively and there is no exact way to determine in advance if it will be a good trip. Under the effects of LSD, emotions often fluctuate abruptly between them and it can go from the most utter euphoria to the most intense fear in a very short period of time. Therefore, the effects of LSD can cause perceptual distortions in a pleasant way, decrease anxiety and tension or have very unpleasant and distressing experiences with horrible hallucinations

2. Psilocybin or hallucinogenic mushrooms

The hallucinogenic mushrooms or "magic mushrooms" They are used as a recreational and spiritual drug and their effects come from the substance known as psilocybin. Psilocybin is a natural alkaloid compound that is found in a great variety of fungi and is the substance that later in the human body is will process in the liver until it is derived to psilocin, the psychoactive component that causes psychedelic effects by altering the presence of serotonin.

The method of consumption consists of ingesting the previously dried mushrooms so that they are processed by the stomach. The effect takes approximately 10 to 40 minutes to appear and can last from 2 to 8 hours. The intensity, duration and when it takes to appear can vary by the type of mushroom, the amount and the physiological disposition of the person taking it.

Although there are many types of hallucinogenic mushrooms, the most common effects of psilocybin are sensory hallucinations, especially visuals, pleasant bodily sensations, introspection of thought and distortion of the perception of time. The intensity compared to LSD is much lower and the sense of reality is not lost.

Its softer and more introspective effects have given way to the mushrooms to a use of mystical nuance, to experience experiences that many describe as spiritual and revealing. Since on some trips anxiety is lessened and gives way to a feeling of serenity, attempts have been made to apply psilocybin as a possible treatment for depression or anxiety disorders from a pseudoscientific perspective, although you may be interested in more elaborate studies in the future.

3. Mescaline

What is mescaline? The mescaline as a drug, it is an alkaloid substance found in peyote, a Mexican cactus, and which has hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD. The form of consumption of this hallucinogenic drug is usually to chew the peyote itself, but it can be ground and made into powder and then made into infusions to be drinks.

Its effects, as we have discussed, are similar to LSD. The differences lie in the fact that there is not such a high emotional disturbance, it has a more relaxing effect and its duration is much longer, being able to last days.

4. Ecstasy or MDMA

Ecstasy, also known as MDMA, is a drug in the amphetamine family that has been artificially created and is usually taken in pill form. Since also acts as a mental stimulant It is one of the most popular hallucinogens and is most consumed at parties and social events.

Between the ecstasy effects, apart from hallucinations and sensory alterations as it is a mental stimulant, it seems to give effects such as greater attention, energy, warmth and more close connections with others, adding apart a great feeling of pleasure. However, these seemingly positive effects are merely temporary and can lead to long-term cognitive decline.

In addition, with the consumption of ecstasy there are also adverse symptoms with respect to the regulation emotional, facilitating the appearance of anguish, irritability and alterations in the mood and in the appetite.

5. Dimethyltryptamine or ayahuasca

The dimethyltryptamine It is a fairly little used drug that falls within the tryptamine family. Dimethyltryptamine or ayahuasca It is considered one of the natural hallucinogenic drugs. It presents a white and crystalline form that is usually consumed either inhaled like tobacco or it can be grind to be able to inject it directly, although it can also be the case of consuming it directly via oral. In cases where this psychedelic is impure, it will present a yellowish or orange color.

The duration of this hallucinogenic drug is usually short, around 30 minutes approximately, but its hallucinogenic effects tend to have a high intensity and cause very subjective sensations to appear. different.

6. Phencycladin and ketamine

Both phencycladin, which is better known as "angel dust", and ketamine are considered "dissociative drugs" because of their sedative effect. These hallucinogenic drugs were originally created as pain relievers, but were pushed off the market for their hallucinogenic properties. Both can be consumed as pills.

The phenyciladin It has a period of action of 4 to 6 hours. Perceptual distortions run in conjunction with a extreme feeling of euphoria ending with sedation.

The ketamine it lasts less, around 2 hours. It is characterized by dissociative experiences that appear when consuming them, such as feeling out of the body or having amnesia of the episode after using it.

Hallucinogenic drugs: what they are, types and effects - Types of hallucinogenic drugs

What are the risks of hallucinogens? The severity of psychedelic drugs it is difficult to predict. The amount consumed, the tolerance, the previous use, the type and the class of sensory alterations that it has caused are factors that greatly complicate determining the exact risks that a person may face when taking one of these substances. So the consequences of hallucinogenic drugs can vary.

Normally, its use can generate abstinence syndrome if you stop taking, they can cause organic changes at the brain level in relation to serotonin, psychotic disorders due to intoxication, disturbance of attention, memory or generate a high tolerance to the substance that may imply an increase in the dose taken or the search for a stronger and potentially more harmful drug.

At a physiological level, they can alter blood pressure, generate tachycardia, bradycardia, discomfort bowel movements, arrhythmias, cardiorespiratory insufficiencies and seizures among many others symptom.

Therefore, it is important prevent addiction to all types of drugs.

Hallucinogenic drugs: what they are, types and effects - Hallucinogenic drugs: effects
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