Hallucinogens
Overview Hallucinogens are found in plants and fungi or are synthetically produced and are among the oldest known group of drugs used for their ability to alter human perception and mood.
Street names Acid, Blotter, Blotter Acid, Cubes, Doses, Fry, Mind Candy, Mushrooms, Shrooms,
Special K, STP, X, XTC
Looks like Hallucinogens come in a variety of forms. MDMA or ecstasy tablets are sold in many
colors with a variety of logos to attract young abusers. LSD is sold in the form of impregnated paper (blotter acid), typically imprinted with colorful graphic designs.
Methods of abuse The most commonly abused halluncinogens among junior andmsenior high school students are hallucinogenic mushrooms, LSD, and MDMA or ecstasy. Hallucinogens are typically taken orally or can be smoked.
Effect on mind Sensory effects include perceptual distortions that vary with dose, setting, and mood. Psychic effects include distortions of thought associated with time and space. Time may appear to stand still, and forms and colors seem to change and take on new significance. Weeks or even months after some hallucinogens have been taken, the user may experience flashbacks — fragmentary recurrences of certain aspects of the drug experience in the absence of actually taking the drug. The occurrence of a flashback is unpredictable, but is more likely to occur during times of stress and seems to occur more frequently in younger individuals. With time, these episodes diminish and become less intense.
Effect on body Physiological effects include elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and
dilated pupils.
Overdose effects Deaths exclusively from acute overdose of LSD, magic mushrooms, and
mescaline are extremely rare. Deaths generally occur due to suicide, accidents, and dangerous
behaviour, or due to the person inadvertently eating poisonous plant material. A severe overdose
of PCP and ketamine can result in: respiratory depression, coma, convulsions, seizures, and death
due to respiratory arrest.