Hallucinogen drugs can be taken in different ways depending on what type of hallucinogen drugs you are taking. The most common ways to take hallucinogens include swallowing as liquid, swallowing as a tablet, consuming raw, or brewing in tea. Understanding how hallucinogens work is crucial to comprehending their effects and methods of consumption.
What are Hallucinogens?
Hallucinogens are a type of psychedelic drug that alters the mind and body, often resulting in specific health effects, including feelings of disconnect, euphoria, and delusions. Hallucinogenic drugs can be categorized in two ways: dissociative drugs (for example, PCP) or classic hallucinogens (such as LSD). Both types of hallucinogens may cause sensations or images that seem real and are not, such as hallucinations.
Many hallucinogens are naturally occurring compounds found in plants and fungi, which have been used for centuries in various cultural rituals.
Although hallucinogen drugs are not used as heavily as alcohol or opioids in the U.S., hallucinogens are often taken with other substances, which could contribute to drug addiction or dependence. Studies show that these drugs can cause health problems such as long-term changes in mood or people becoming addicted to them.
How are Hallucinogens Taken, and How Do Hallucinogens Work?
Hallucinogens can be taken in different ways depending on the type of drugs you are taking. For example, LSD can be taken by absorbing through the lining of the mouth using drug-soaked paper pieces. Below are the most common ways to take the hallucinogenic drugs:
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DMT– can be brewed into a tea, inhaled, vaporized, or smoked
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LSD– swallowed as a tablet or pill or also a liquid or absorbed through paper liners
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Peyote– swallowed as a liquid, brewed into tea, or eaten raw or dried
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Psilocybin– eaten raw or dried or brewed into a tea
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DXM- swallowed as a tablet or also a liquid
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Ketamine– snorted, swallowed as a tablet, pill, or also a liquid
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PCP- swallowed as a tablet or pill, snorted, injected, inhaled, vaporized, or also smoked
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Salvia is brewed into tea and eaten raw or dried, inhaled, vaporized, or smoked. Salvia is native to southern Mexico and Central and South America, where it has been traditionally used in spiritual practices.
Types of Hallucinogen Drugs: Psychedelic Drugs
The most common types of hallucinogens include:
LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide, is a very powerful substance that alters a person’s mind.
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)
LSD is a very powerful substance that alters a person’s mind. It can be found as a white or clear substance that is made from lysergic acid, found in a fungus that grows grains or rye. It is typically odorless.
PCP
PCP drugs were originally used as an anesthetic medicine in patients. It was later determined that despite being used as medicine, it could be harmful to your health and potentially addictive. PCP has various slang names, such as Angel Dust, Hog, Love Boat, and Peace Pill.
Marijuana
It can be classified as a hallucinogen because of the way it makes people feel when they take it. Hallucinogens can include THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), which may be found in hash oil ,hash or marijuana.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin comes from certain types of mushrooms found in subtropical and tropical regions of Mexico, South America and the U.S. Typical names for psilocybin include shrooms, magic mushrooms and little smoke.
Effects of Hallucinogens
There are both short-term health effects, and long-term health effects that can occur when taking hallucinogenic drugs. They include both mental health and physical health effects. Below are the most common health effects:
It is important to be aware of the adverse effects that can occur, including increased heart rate, severe psychological reactions, and risks of overdose.
Short-Term
The most common short-term mental and physical health effects of the drug include:
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Increased heart rate, body temperature, blood pressure or breathing rate
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Loss of appetite
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Spiritual experience
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Dry mouth
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Intense sensory feelings
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Uncoordinated movements
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Changes in how time passes (feels like time is going slow)
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Sleep problems
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Feelings of relaxation
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Psychosis
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Excessive sweating
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Bizarre behaviors
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Panic
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Paranoia
Long-Term
The most common long-term mental and physical health effects of the drug include:
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Visual disturbances
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Disorganized thinking
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Paranoia
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Hallucinations
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Mood changes
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Flashbacks
Some research shows that the long-term effects of LSD include developing a tolerance to the drug. This means that a person needs to take a significantly higher dose of the drug to achieve the same effects. This can lead to addiction or other health concerns. Long-term use of hallucinogens can also contribute to substance use disorders, requiring comprehensive treatment and support.
Long-Term Risks
While hallucinogens can offer short-term experiences of altered perception and euphoria, their long-term use carries significant risks. One of the most concerning conditions is Hallucinogen-Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), where individuals experience recurring flashbacks or visual disturbances long after the drug’s effects have worn off. These episodes can be distressing and interfere with daily life.
Another serious risk is the potential for psychotic episodes, especially in individuals with a history of mental health conditions like schizophrenia. Hallucinogen use can exacerbate these conditions, leading to severe mental health crises.
Depersonalization Disorder is another long-term risk where individuals feel detached from their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, creating a sense of disconnection from reality. Chronic use of hallucinogens can also impair memory and cognitive functions, particularly affecting attention and decision-making abilities.
Moreover, there is an increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis. These long-term effects highlight the importance of understanding the potential consequences of hallucinogen use and seeking appropriate treatment if needed.
Mental Health Effects
The effects of hallucinogens on the developing brain are not fully understood, but they may increase the risk of triggering latent mental health concerns. Information has shown that classic hallucinogens work by temporarily making changes and disrupting certain communications between systems in the brain and the spinal cord. Some hallucinogens interfere with how the brain reacts to the brain chemical serotonin, which regulates:
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Body temperature
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Mood
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Sensory perception
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Intestinal muscle control
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Sexual behavior
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Hunger
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Sleep
The impact of hallucinogens on mental health is significant, particularly in the context of drug use and its potential to trigger latent mental health issues.
What hallucinogen drugs can do is affect the ability for the person who uses the drug to recognize reality, communicate, or think rationally. In short, it can cause a drug-induced psychosis, and one that is unpredictable.
Addiction to Hallucinogens
Like most drugs, using hallucinogens to excess can cause addiction to occur. Knowing the risks and signs, will help a person understand if getting professional treatment is necessary or not. If you are suffering from addiction to drugs, treatment might be a good option so that you can get clean or sober. Hallucinogen addiction can be a form of drug abuse, requiring professional treatment to overcome.
Drugs like LSD can cause a person to develop a tolerance to the drug. This means they need more and more to achieve the same results. So if you are wondering, “Is LSD addictive?” The answer is, it can be. Most drugs have the ability to cause addiction if they are taken frequently, and cause a tolerance to develop.
Signs of Addiction
Some of the major mental and physical signs of hallucinogen substance abuse include:
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Having intense cravings
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Needing to take the substance frequently, sometimes multiple times a day
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Engaging in dangerous or harmful behaviors to get it such as stealing
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A loss of interest in hobbies or things you used to like to do
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Withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuing use
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Hiding the substance or the fact that you are using
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Trouble with responsibilities or normal tasks such as school or work
If you or someone you love is experiencing any of the above symptoms or has a problem with hallucinogens, please contact AToN Center for help right away.
Treatment Options at AToN Center
At AToN Center, we offer a comprehensive treatment program tailored to individuals struggling with hallucinogen addiction and related mental health conditions. Our approach includes several key components to ensure holistic recovery:
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Detoxification: Our medically supervised detox program helps manage withdrawal symptoms safely and reduces the risk of complications, providing a stable foundation for further treatment.
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Psychotherapy: Through individual and group therapy sessions, we address underlying mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. These sessions also help develop coping strategies to manage cravings and prevent relapse.
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Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This evidence-based therapy helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors associated with hallucinogen use, promoting healthier ways of thinking and acting.
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Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): For some individuals, medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be crucial in managing symptoms and reducing cravings, supporting the overall treatment process.
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Support Groups: Participation in support groups, including 12-step programs, provides a sense of community and accountability, which is vital for long-term recovery.
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Aftercare Planning: We develop personalized aftercare plans to ensure continued support and guidance after completing treatment, helping individuals maintain their recovery journey.
At AToN Center, we are committed to providing compassionate and effective treatment to help individuals overcome hallucinogen addiction and achieve lasting recovery. If you or a loved one needs help, please contact us for more information on our programs.
Help at AToN Center
AToN Center is a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center located in beautiful San Diego, California. Our treatment services include detox care, trauma treatment, dual diagnosis, as well as both traditional 12-step programs and non-12 step programs.
Our staff is at the doctoral level and highly trained in addiction treatment. We treat all types of addiction, including drugs, alcohol, and other substance abuse. Our support team is among the best in addiction treatment and genuinely cares about our clients’ well-being.
We understand the difficulties that come with abusing drugs, and it may be hard to share your experience and struggles with someone else. We are here to help you every step of the way, and we have trained professionals who can help you achieve recovery from drugs or other substances.
If you need help getting treatment support for hallucinogens or other drugs, please contact AToN Center for more information on our programs.
March 18, 2021 @ 5:30 am
Originally posted on March 18, 2021 @ 5:30 am
