Hallucinogens
What are Hallucinogens?
They are drugs which primarily affect perception,
sensation, thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. These
drugs cause changes in time and space perception, delusions,
and hallucinations. These effects may either be mild or
overwhelming.
What
risks occur with hallucinogens?
A person who is under the influence of these drugs
loses control over normal thought processes. This may bring
about behavior that can be harmful or fatal to the user or
others. Risks from this include; suicide, injury, or
accidental death. Users may also experience depression,
panic, or psychotic episodes from an experience called a
“bad trip”. Longer-term harmful reactions include
anxiety, depression, or “breaks with reality.”
Can
Hallucinogens cause death?
Certain hallucinogens can cause seizures, coma, and
death. Death can also occur from impurities when other
drugs are sold as hallucinogens.
Is
there evidence that heavy LSD use affects the mind?
Research shows signs similar to those of organic
brain damage, such as impaired memory and attention span,
mental confusion, and difficulty with abstract thinking.
What is
a flashback?
A flashback is a return of some of the drug’s
effects long after the drug was taken. A flashback can be
very frightening to someone who was not expecting it.
Legal
Information
LSD, Peyote, Mescaline, DMT, and Psilocybin are
controlled substances. Use, possession, possession with
intent to distribute, distribution, and manufacture of
hallucinogens are illegal.