Psychedelics And Psychotomimetics
Psychedelics, phantastica, and psychotomimetics, are all names used for hallucinogenic drugs. This group of drugs consists of over ninety percent of naturally occurring plants and additional synthetic substances that produce an array of consciousness altering effects. Additionally, this group of drugs causes sensory disturbances, and at times, schizophrenia like psychosis. Each category of hallucinogenic drug produces different effects, however most of these drugs’ side effects very similar to natural psychosis. A few of these drugs do not cause hallucinations making the name of this group misleading (Zilney, 2011). Before describing the different types of hallucinogenic drugs, such as LSD, Psilocybin, Peyote, Ecstasy and PCP, one must
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Originally tested on animals which demonstrated to be worthless, Hoffman mistakenly spilled some of the drug on his hand and experienced a surreal high. Subsequently, LSD was distributed to psychologists and psychiatrists for prescribing the drug to patients in conjunction with psychotherapy (Zilney, 2011). Rapidly absorbed, LSD’s effects begin within 20 to 60 minutes. Individuals can fee highs lasting 8 to 12 hours with effects that include pupil dilation; increased temperature and sweating; increased heart rate and blood pressure; visual and auditory hallucinations; depersonalization, an experience where the users “step outside” of themselves; and increase ability to empathize (Zilney, 2011). Each person’s psychological reaction to LSD varies, however, the person’s current mood at the time of taking LSD usually intensifies. There is no physical dependence and no withdrawal symptoms in using LSD. However, tolerance levels quickly increase resulting in daily doses becoming ineffective after 3 to 4 days. Additionally, a cross tolerance develops among other serotonergic drugs such as mescaline. Flashbacks to hallucinogenic trips can occur when one stops using LSD. Approximately 30 to 60 percent of heavy users who quit LSD experience the flashbacks and hallucinogenic trips. LSD can produce harmful results in which a individual can experience a “bad trip” with symptoms of acute paranoia and initiation of a psychotic state resulting in possible self-harm, harm to others, long term psychiatric illness, or worst case scenario of suicide (Zilney,
Originally tested on animals which demonstrated to be worthless, Hoffman mistakenly spilled some of the drug on his hand and experienced a surreal high. Subsequently, LSD was distributed to psychologists and psychiatrists for prescribing the drug to patients in conjunction with psychotherapy (Zilney, 2011). Rapidly absorbed, LSD’s effects begin within 20 to 60 minutes. Individuals can fee highs lasting 8 to 12 hours with effects that include pupil dilation; increased temperature and sweating; increased heart rate and blood pressure; visual and auditory hallucinations; depersonalization, an experience where the users “step outside” of themselves; and increase ability to empathize (Zilney, 2011). Each person’s psychological reaction to LSD varies, however, the person’s current mood at the time of taking LSD usually intensifies. There is no physical dependence and no withdrawal symptoms in using LSD. However, tolerance levels quickly increase resulting in daily doses becoming ineffective after 3 to 4 days. Additionally, a cross tolerance develops among other serotonergic drugs such as mescaline. Flashbacks to hallucinogenic trips can occur when one stops using LSD. Approximately 30 to 60 percent of heavy users who quit LSD experience the flashbacks and hallucinogenic trips. LSD can produce harmful results in which a individual can experience a “bad trip” with symptoms of acute paranoia and initiation of a psychotic state resulting in possible self-harm, harm to others, long term psychiatric illness, or worst case scenario of suicide (Zilney,