Hallucinogens can alter or change the perception of reality when ingested. These drugs can make a person experience unfamiliar sights or distorted views of the surroundings due to impaired judgment or interpretation of the surrounding. Mainly, some of these drugs are quick to cause effects, while others take longer to produce an impact on the individual. In many cases, the most common hallucinogens come from artificial sources, even though some also exist in the natural habitat (Stafford, 2013). For instance, hallucinogens called LSD, Ketamine, and PCP are manufactured in chemical industries. At the same time, the naturally occurring categories include mescaline and psilocybin, which originate from peyote cacti and unique magic mushrooms, respectively.
Types and Classifications
Hallucinogens are commonly divided into three major categories. There are classic hallucinogens, dissociative, and deliriants. Studies show that classic hallucinogens are among the fastest to pass through the brain-blood barrier, thereby indicating that they are potential drugs for neurological treatment purposes (Bake, 2018). Classic hallucinogens are called psychedelics due to their mental manifesting impacts and effects. In that regard, some common examples of classic hallucinogens include LCD or Lysergic acid diethylamide. Also the other one is psilocybin which is mainly found in mushrooms. Similarly, mescaline originating from peyote cacti also belongs to the group of classic hallucinogens.
Conversely, dissociative drugs mainly cause an individual to experience detachment and separation from their body and physical surroundings due to substantial alterations in conscience, emotions, and thoughts (Stafford, 2013). Usually, some common examples of dissociative drugs include Ketamine, PCP, DXM, and Nitrous Oxide. Ketamine is the most popular among the dissociative anesthetics usually applicable in veterinary and medical surgeries. Dissociative drugs are generally prevalent due to their amnesiac effects on the body. Lastly, deliriants are a particular category of dissociative anesthetics whose interaction with the body can lead to hyperactivity or a state of delirium hence the name. These drugs are extracted primarily from deliriant plants such as datura and Brugmansia (Morris & Wallach, 2014). In most cases, deliriants are often called natural hallucinogens because they can cause extremely harmful hallucinating experiences.
Street Names/ Slang for Each Classification
It is imperative to note that the street names and slang terminology used to refer to hallucinogens may vary widely regarding the drug and how it is used in different parts of the world. For that reason, a single drug may bear several names. For instance, acid, boomers, cubes, and magic mushrooms are just a few street names for drugs falling under classic hallucinogens (Jenkins & Gates, 2020). Specifically, LSD is often known as acid or dosage, while buttons are another name associated with mescaline-containing peyote cactus.
Moreover, the common street names for dissociative substances include K for Ketamine, angel dust for PCP, and robo for DXM. Interestingly, in the recent past, Ketamine, also known as Special K, K-hole, or the cat tranquilizer, has emerged as a popular party drug among the youth (MacLean et al., 2015). The other drugs, such as psilocybin mushrooms, also bear street names like shrooms, magic mushrooms, and boomers, while Dimitri is another name for DMT, which can sometimes be called the person on a business trip.
Physical Characteristics and Appearance
Depending on the substance, hallucinogens’ appearance, shape, color, and taste might vary considerably. For instance, an LSD is often contained in blotter paper, a little square of paper soaked in the LSD solution. Colorful patterns or logos are often used to embellish the piece. Mescaline comes from the peyote cactus tree, characterized by disc-shaped patterns or buttons (Stafford, 2013). Once the buttons are dried out, they are ready for use by chewing or soaking in water to produce an intoxicating drink. Again, due to its bitter nature, it is occasionally boiled for several hours before it can be drunk. Psilocybin also comes from mushrooms that are dried or consumed while still fresh. In various cases, they can be eaten together with food or even brewed and drank like tea. DMT, on the other hand, occurs typically in the form of white crystalline powder, which can be smoked with a pipe or even vaporized.
The physical characteristics of dissociative drugs also vary depending on the state of existence or manufacturing. For instance, PCP, first developed in the 1950s, exists in different forms, such as powder, liquid, or pills (Musselman & Hampton, 2014). Thus, it can be injected, snorted, or taken orally. On a similar note, DXM ingredients also occur in tablets, syrups, and capsules, while Ketamine is mostly accessible as injectable liquid, powder, or pill. The drug can thus be snorted or sometimes mixed with other drinks.
Effects on The Central Nervous System
Typically, the dangers of hallucinogenic drugs depend on the uniqueness of the drug’s effect on the nervous system. Research indicates that classic hallucinogens operate in many cases by partially disrupting the flow and interconnectedness of the brain’s chemical systems within the brain and the spinal cord. Broadly, by interfering with serotonin, these drugs alter how people perceive color, sound, texture, and other sensory perceptions (Jenkins & Gates, 2020). Serotonin regulates sensory perceptions, mood, sexual behavior, body temperature, and sleep. On the other hand, dissociative hallucinogens, in most circumstances, interfere with glutamate. This chemical substance within the brain regulates emotions, environmental responses, pain, and memory.
The short-term effects of classic hallucinogens can cause an individual to experience nonexistent feelings and sensations. The person is likely to see images, hear sounds, and develop mental sensations that are not available in the real sense. These effects typically occur as early as after ten minutes of consumption and can remain beyond twelve hours. Together will hallucinating experiences, the effects generally entail nausea, increased heart rate, panic, spiritual attacks, and increased blood pressure. Similarly, the long-term effects are persistent psychosis, usually characterized by disorganized thinking, mood swings, paranoia, and visual loss or disturbances (Musselman & Hampton, 2014).
On the other hand, the patient may undergo severe brain impairment leading to memory loss in the long run from dissociative drugs. Also, some of the characteristics associated with long-term challenges include weight loss, speech loss, and suicide attempts. Nevertheless, high blood pressure, increased heart rate, disorientation, and high blood pressure are customarily associated with short-run use.
Significant Effects of the Drugs
Effects of hallucinations vary in gravity, intensity, and extremity regarding the quantity consumed, frequency of consumption, and drug quality. Nonetheless, all hallucinogens can potentially cause substantial effects on mental functioning or consciousness. For instance, classic hallucinogens can significantly impair cognitive and perceptual status by altering the body’s visual and auditory balance. In other words, classic hallucinogens interfere with the brain’s normal operations once consumed, leading to anxiety, shock, and temporary blindness (Wu et al., 2008). The sensory distortions can be extreme to the extent of experiencing synesthesia and inexistent perceptions.
Regarding dissociative hallucinogens, it is confirmed that they remain some of the most harmful drugs among hallucinogens. These drugs can induce prolonged mental impairment, leading to detachment from physical realms. A person under the influence of dissociative anesthetics is most cannot likely to create a connection with the immediate environment either emotionally, spiritually, or physically thus separated from the world around them cognitively (Brys et al., 2022). The experience of disconnection and depersonalization from oneself occurs due to the drug’s ingredient that, once released, inhibits the production and release of glutamate in the brain, consequently leading to a lack of connection or attachment with the current state of the surrounding. Consuming in large quantities or for long periods can highly impact the nervous system, leading to paranoia or exhilaration.
Most importantly, the deliriants are the worst of all the dissociative hallucinogens. This category usually targets the brain’s cholinergic system, which is primarily responsible for heartbeat control, blood pressure balance, memory, and digestion. Once this crucial system is impaired through severe intoxication, the person can experience severe mental disorientation and confusion (Jenkins & Gates, 2020). Delirious can lead to seizures, coma, and even death when abused for a long time.
How People Present Under the Influence of the Drugs
Commonly, individual responses to drugs are complex and influenced by a wide range of variables, including the drug itself, the dosage capacity, the mode of administration, and the condition of the person taking the medication. In many circumstances, these individuals appear lost in memory and anxious. They can also experience abnormal sexual hyperactiveness and uncontrollable behavior (MacLean et al., 2013). Most importantly, to these patients, sounds may appear as colors to them, and tastes could be interpreted in unpleasant forms because of a phenomenon called synesthesia. They may also react emotionally inappropriately to their environment and have trouble telling hallucinations from reality. Sometimes, they may seem mystical or spiritual, during which they may make profound statements about nature (Carbonaro et al., 2018). Furthermore, they can act aggressively or violently, thus possibly exposing them to accidents and injuries.
Withdrawal Symptoms Under Different Drug Classifications
Upon the cessation of hallucinogen usage, individuals may suffer various symptoms. The withdrawal symptoms might differ depending on the kind of hallucinogen taken, the frequency and length of use, and personal characteristics like genetic vulnerability and mental health (Musselman & Hampton, 2014). However, it should be noted that most classic hallucinogens cause fewer withdrawal effects in users. Not all hallucinogens have withdrawal effects. Only a few dissociative hallucinogens, such as Ketamine and PCP, can pose a withdrawal threat. Apparently, under the dissociative subcategory, the most regularly used psychedelic is Ketamine, even though it is regarded as less physiologically addictive.
Again, since some people may become highly dependent on these drugs, they may experience withdrawal effects even if they try to stop or quit. The most common withdrawal effects may include stiff muscles, convulsions, headaches, cravings, and rapid heart rate. Sometimes, quitting is challenging under severe withdrawal experiences (Stafford, 2013). Under such circumstances, hallucinogen detoxification may be the appropriate consideration.
Treatment Plan for Drug Classification
The type of substance and the individual’s requirements typically determine the best course of treatment for those battling hallucinogens or dependent on them. Support groups, medication, and behavioral therapy are standard treatment methods in most cases. More significantly, Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are among the best behavioral treatments that can significantly help people overcome addictions and develop healthier coping mechanisms (Jenkins & Gates, 2020). Classic hallucinogen users may benefit from a multipronged approach that includes behavioral therapy, medicine, and peer support groups (Morris & Wallach, 2014). In most cases, participation in a support group like Narcotics Anonymous may lead to the regaining of a sense of belonging and responsibility
On the same note, the addicts of dissociative hallucinogens may also benefit from a multifaceted approach that includes behavioral counseling, medicine, and detox. Under various medical trials, individuals may gain insight into their drug use patterns and alter them using CBT and motivational interviewing. Also, hospitalization and medical detoxification are essential treatment options for those battling delirious hallucinogens (Stafford, 2013). More necessarily, medical monitoring during detoxification from an inpatient treatment program may aid in managing both physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.
References
Baker, L. E. (2018). Hallucinogens in drug discrimination. Behavioral Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs, pp. 201–219. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/7854_2017_476
Brys, I., Barrientos, S. A., Ward, J. E., Wallander, J., Petersson, P., & Halje, P. (2022). Classic and dissociative psychedelics induce similar hyper-synchronous states in the cognitive-limbic cortex-basal ganglia system. bioRxiv, 2022-09. https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.09.27.509527.abstract
Carbonaro, T. M., Johnson, M. W., Hurwitz, E., & Griffiths, R. R. (2018). Double-blind comparison of the two hallucinogens psilocybin and dextromethorphan: similarities and differences in subjective experiences. Psychopharmacology, pp. 235, 521–534. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-017-4769-4
Jenkins, A. J., & Gates, M. J. (2020). Hallucinogens and psychedelics. Principles of Forensic Toxicology, pp. 467–489. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-42917-1_26
MacLean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., Griffiths, R. R., Galanter, M., & Kleber, H. D. (2015). Hallucinogens and club drugs. Textbook of Substance Abuse Treatment (5e éd). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=7nLBBwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT299&dq=MacLean,+K.+A.,+Johnson,+M.+W.,+Griffiths,+R.+R.,+Galanter,+M.,+%26+Kleber,+H.+D.+(2015).+Hallucinogens+and+club+drugs.+Textbook+of+Substance+Abuse+Treatment+(5e+%C3%A9d).+Arlington,+VA:+American+Psychiatric+Association.&ots=kwkQPtYIyP&sig=gqcAUAMK7I6iN177MzqNFCvhLz4
MacLean, K. A., Johnson, M. W., Reissig, C. J., Prisinzano, T. E., & Griffiths, R. R. (2013). Dose-related effects of salvinorin A in humans: dissociative, hallucinogenic, and memory effects. Psychopharmacology, pp. 226, 381–392. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00213-012-2912-9
Morris, H., & Wallach, J. (2014). From PCP to MXE: a comprehensive review of the non‐medical use of dissociative drugs. Drug testing and analysis, 6(7-8), 614-632. https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/dta.1620
Musselman, M. E., & Hampton, J. P. (2014). “Not for human consumption”: a review of emerging designer drugs. Pharmacotherapy: The Journal of Human Pharmacology and Drug Therapy, 34(7), 745–757. https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/phar.1424
Wu, L. T., Ringwalt, C. L., Mannelli, P., & Patkar, A. A. (2008). Hallucinogen use disorders among adult users of MDMA and other hallucinogens. American Journal on Addictions, 17(5), 354-363. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10550490802269064
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