What are Hallucinogens? Hallucinogenic substances are characterized by their ability to

cause changes in a person’s perception of reality.

Persons using these drugs often report seeing images, hearing sounds, and feeling sensations that seem real, but do not exist.

In the past, plants and fungi that contained hallucinogenic substances were abused but now they are produced synthetically to provide a higher potency.

Types: LSD PCP Psilocybin Mescaline DMT Foxy Dextromethorphan

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

It was discovered in 1938 and is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

It is not considered an addictive drug since it does

not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior.

Users refer to their experience as a “trip” and to acute adverse reactions as a “bad trip”. These experiences are long and typically begin to clear after about 12 hours.

PCP (Phencyclidine)

It was developed in the 1950s as an intravenous anesthetic, but was discontinued in 1965 because patients became agitated, delusional, and irrational while recovering form its anesthetic effects.

It is illegally manufactured in laboratories and sold on the streets as angel dust, ozone, wack, and rocket fuel.

PCP is a white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water or alcohol. I has a distinctive bitter chemical taste.

It can be easily mixed with dyes and comes in the form of tablets, capsules, and colored powders.

It can be snorted, smoked, or ingested.

For smoking, it is often applied to a leafy material such as mint, parsley, oregano, or marijuana.

PCP is addictive; its repeated abuse can lead to craving and compulsive

PCP-seeking behavior.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin is obtained from certain mushrooms found in South America, Mexico, and the U.S, although it can also be produced synthetically.

The mushrooms are usually ingested orally, but

can also be brewed in a tea or added to food to mask the bitter flavor.

Once ingested, psilocybin is broken down in the user’s body to produce psilocybin, another hallucinogenic substance.

Mescaline

Mescaline is the active ingredient in peyote, a small, spineless cactus historically used by natives in Mexico and southwestern US as part of religious rites.

It can also be produced synthetically.

DMT

DMT is found in a number of plants and seeds, but can also be produced synthetically.

It is usually ingested by snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug.

DMT is not effective in producing hallucinogenic effects when ingested by itself and is therefore used in conjunction with another drug that inhibits its metabolism.

Foxy

Foxy Methoxy is available in a powder, capsule, and tablet form and is usually ingested orally.

Foxy tablets and capsules vary in color and logos sometimes appear on tablets.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

DXM is a cough suppressing ingredient in a variety of over the counter cold and cough medications.

At the doses recommended for treating coughs, the drug is safe and effective.

At much higher doses, it produces dissociative effects similar to those of PCP Ketamine.

Health Effects

Users often experience changes in perception, thought, and mood.

The effects of these drugs are often unpredictable and a user may experience different effects compared to other users or past usage.

Hallucinogens can produce physiological effects: Elevated heart rate Increased blood pressure Dilated pupils Sweating Loss of appetite

Extent of Use

In 2006, 35.3 million Americans aged 12 and older reported trying hallucinogens at least once during their lifetimes.

In 2007, 3.1 % of eight graders, 6.4 % of tenth graders, and 8.4 % of twelfth graders reported lifetime use of hallucinogens.