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Effects of hallucinogen drugs on the brain
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Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that can alter perception, feelings, and thoughts. They have been used by people for over centuries, mostly in religious rituals. Hallucinogens can cause images, sensations, or hallucinations that may seem real, though they are not. Besides hallucinations, there are other short term effects of hallucinogens including nausea, changes in sense of time, increased heart rate, or intensified feelings and sensory experiences. There is little known about long term effects for using hallucinogens. Researchers do know that repeatedly using the drug PCP, can result in effects that continue a year or even longer after using. The effects are memory loss, anxiety, weight loss, speech problems, or depression and suicidal thoughts/feelings. Although rare, Flashbacks …show more content…
Hallucinogens can easily be found in mushrooms, plants, or just human made. People can use hallucinogens through snorting, absorbing through the lining in the mouth, or smoking. It can also be consumed raw or dried, by swallowing as liquids, tablets/pills, brewed into drinks, or through injecting. There is evidence to prove that people can develop a tolerance to them or that certain hallucinogens can be addictive. Although, LSD is not considered an addictive drug because of it not causing an uncontrollable drug seeking behavior. It does produce tolerance; therefore, the doses repeatedly get higher to achieve the same effect for some users who take the drug. After taking these drugs, the effects can begin within 20 to 90 minutes. They can also last as long as 6 to 12 hours .Throughout research, there has been said that there is no government approved medications for treating the addiction of hallucinogens. There was and still is more time needed for more research to see if behavioral therapists can help treat or are effective enough for addiction to
Hallucinogens: a general group of pharmacological agents that can be divided into three broad categories: psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants. Hallucinogenic drugs have played a role in civilization for thousands of year. It began with naturally occurring hallucinogens, such as the peyote cactus plant and wild mushrooms. Now there are man made drugs that have the same or more intense affects. These include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), MDMA (ecstasy), and dextromethorphan (DMX, often found in cough syrup). Within this essay, I will cover the history, production, and affects of hallucinogenic drugs.
A very minute does can significantly alter ones perception to the point of hallucination. Hallucination is when a person hears, or sees thing that don’t really exist. LSD is the most potent hallucinate. Approximately 100 times stronger than psilocybin, and 4000 times stronger than mescaline.
Psychoactive drugs are defined as chemical substances that affect the brain’s functioning, causing changes in behavior, mood and consciousness. There are several different types of psychoactive drugs;, some of these include: stimulants, depressants, and most importantly hallucinogens or psychedelics. Humans have used these different types of drugs since before recorded history. These drugs are used for a variety of reasons such as medical purposes, religious practices, spiritual growth, and even recreation. Worldwide, about 200 million people use some type of illicit drug, most commonly cannabis or better known as marijuana. The use of illicit drugs is more most frequent among males and younger people (WHO).
The primary use for the mushrooms is for recreational purposes as psychedelic hallucinations are produced once eaten. Upon ingestion of a mushroom containing the compound, the psilocybin is immediately dephosphorylated into psilocin which is responsible for creating the “trip” or high that people experience. The chemical then travels to the brain where it begins to prevent the reuptake of the neurotransmitter serotonin, increasing its activity. Also, because psilocin is structurally similar to serotonin, it binds to receptors, amplifying the effects. This is what ultimately causes the hallucinations however, technically it is more of an overwhelming distortion of typical senses creating unrealistic perception. Other areas affected are hippocampus and the anterior cingulate cortex which are associated with dreaming. Specific emotional regions of the brain are chemically activated, adding to the complex hallucinogenic feeling. The high is completely subjective to the individual however common experiences are established based on the reports of drug users. The high last three to eight hours yet, because the dephosphorylated chemical alters sense of time, a user may feel it last much longer. Thirty minutes after ingestion auditory, visual and tactile senses are noticeably changed. People report
Although America and the rest of the world have progressed in medical science and technology, it seems that many medical conditions are becoming more prevalent in the general population. According to the CDC, mental illnesses have progressed to an all-time high, and over 25% of the American population is affected on an annual basis. Some of these instances are easily treatable and a part of life such as dealing with grief from the loss of a loved one; some may be much more deeply rooted and have a much higher chance of occurring with a family history of mental illness. A hidden secret that has only recently been explored in great depths is the treatment of targeted medical conditions with the use of illicit substances, namely hallucinogens. Despite the biggest barriers to continuing research being the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) schedule of psychedelic drugs, lack of funding, common misconceptions about the drugs, and a history of abuse and irresponsible users, these drugs actually do hold some merit in their potential use as medication. Psychedelic drugs should be made available to the medical field for testing and prescribing for conditions they are able to treat. This can be done either through rescheduling of the drugs on the DEA controlled substances list, or with federal deregulation and decriminalization for medical use. These drugs are more effective than current treatment, they are safer than current treatments, and they open up the possibility of discovering additional treatment alternatives.
A psychedelic drug is one that alters the brains perception and cognition. Drugs of this sort can cause visual hallucinations. People have said it feels as though everything is alive, breathing, dancing. Of course, like any drug, there is the possibility of having a “bad trip.” This is where things seemingly go wrong. The person tripping feels trapped, frightened, and extremely uncomfortable. The
The many different illegal drugs around the world can all have harmful effects to the human body, but that does not stop many people from using them. Some people will do anything they can to get ahold of these dangerous drugs. Within the many different illegal drugs, there are a certain kind of drugs called hallucinogens. Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that cause hallucinations—profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality. The most common hallucinogen is called Lysergic acid, more commonly referred to as “LSD” or just simply “acid”.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is categorized as a hallucinogen, psychedelic, and a psychotomimetic. LSD is not as commonly used like nicotine and heroin but is still prevalent in the world today. This drug has been around for many years taking users to different worlds and giving a whole new sight on the world around us. Despite the fact LSD is an illegal drug, without it certain movies, songs, and art would not be around that many people know and love today. Many drugs do not have much of a benefitting effect, but LSD does have a few, along with some bad effects as well. Ever since the creation of LSD, scientists have been gaining knowledge of the effects it has on the human body and also the effects on society once it was released to the public.
During his research, Hoffman accidentally consumed some of it and began to have hallucinations. It considered a schedule 1 drug, which means it has the highest potential for abuse, and cannot be consumed for medicinal purposes. Generally, LSD is taken orally by swallowing pieces of paper soaked in liquid LSD (4). In addition, it also taken in liquid form or soaked into sugar cubes. It is most popularly consumed at nightclubs and raves. When LSD was newly introduced, the doses consumed were much larger compared to the doses consumed nowadays, which is falls between 20-100mg (4). This can be attributed to the decrease in supply of LSD and the introduction of other drugs such as MDMA (Ecstasy). The effects of LSD, also known as a “trip” begin in about an hour and can last up to 12 hours. LSD’s primary effects are visual. It is said to enhance colors by making them appear stronger and brighter. In addition, “Objects that are stable might appear to move or have a halo of light around them”
One must look beyond the stereotypes that psychedelics have earned in the twentieth century, and also modern science, that presupposes that any thing that cannot be explained within its own contexts either does not exist or is but a fanciful idea. However, the realm of psychedelics is uncharted area, and when dealing with such experimental substances, such as these psychedelic agents, one must proceed with caution, as was mentioned earlier the agents are powerful tools and can be used with skill or reckless abandon, and therefore can yield positive responses or deadly consequences. If used with care psychedelics will allow many psychologists and patients to embark on a perhaps endless journey of self-discovery.
Ecstasy’s effects can last up to 24 hours. The drug produces immediate side effects, and some—such as confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, and paranoia—can occur weeks after it is taken (NIDA, Community Drug Alert Bulletin on Club Drugs, 2000).
In the history of mankind, the hallucinogens have probably been the most important of the narcotics. Their fantastic effects made the...
These types of drugs can cause mood swings also. A persons heart rate and blood pressure can increase and a person can even have convulsions or seizures if these drugs are used at a high dose.
Hallucinogenic drugs may induce somatic symptoms, perceptual symptoms, or psychic symptoms.The somatic symptoms of hallucinogenic drugs include dizziness, weakness,
Pre-Columbian Mexicans used many substances, from tobacco to mind-expanding (hallucinogenic) plants, in their medicinal collections. The most fascinating of these substances are sacred mushrooms, used in religious ceremonies to induce altered states of mind, not just drunkenness.