Hallucinogens are a specific type of drug that interfere with the way in which a user perceives reality. When someone is under their influence, they may see, hear, or feel things that don’t really exist. These experiences make it difficult to think clearly. A person who uses one of the drugs in this classification may have intense emotional experiences as a result of the hallucinations experienced while under the influence of the drugs.
Types of Hallucinogens
Some common types of hallucinogens are:
• Mushrooms
Street names for mushrooms include magic mushrooms, magics, shrooms, liberties, and liberty cap. Approximately 190 species of edible mushrooms contain psilocybin, the chemical which causes hallucinations.
• LSD
LSD (lilysergic acid diethylamide) is made from lysergic acid. It is found in the ergot fungus which grows on rye and other grain products. This odorless, colorless drug is known as acid, dots, heavenly blue, loony toons, purple heart, tab, and zen.
• Mescaline
This hallucinogen is a naturally-occurring substance that can be found in certain types of cactus plants. It is known as buttons, cactus, mesc, moon, peyote, and topi.
Dangers of Using Hallucinogens
The problem with using hallucinogens is that no one can predict in advance what kind of “trip” he or she is going to have. If the hallucinations are pleasant ones, the experience may actually be enjoyable. A bad trip may lead to episodes of:
• Hallucinations with frightening images, such as insects crawling on a person’s skin
• High levels of fear or anxiety
• Panic, which leads to the person taking action to get away from the perceived threat, such as running out into traffic
• Feeling that the person is “losing it”
• Paranoia
Violent outbursts or suicidal thoughts or actions are rare, but can occur while under the influence of this type of drug.
Find a Substance Abuse Treatment Program
If someone you love has been experimenting with hallucinogens, don’t take a “watch and wait” approach to the problem. It’s not going to get any better on its own. Your loved one may benefit from a 30 day rehab treatment program or a longer-term stay at a treatment center where he or she can break free from the psychological hold of these types of drugs.
Checking out of reality is not the way to deal with stresses of modern life. Checking in to a drug addiction treatment program is a much better choice. Clients get a personalized program to meet their needs, along with support to help them achieve (and maintain) sobriety.