Transcript Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens
UI300
K Farwell, PhD, RN, CARN-AP
General Information
Distort perception of
reality
 Alter sensory
perception
 Induce hallucinations
 Potential to trigger
psychotic break
 Some report spiritual
experiences
 Common to feel at
peace and as one with the
universe
 Bad trips: panic, fear
of dying or going insane
 Flashbacks can occur
days to months after
drug was taken
Physiological Effects
 Can produce tolerance
 Not physically addictive
 No withdrawal
 There is psychological dependence
 Effects are highly unpredictable
Historical Aspects
 Hallucinogens used as part of religious
ceremonies and at social gatherings by
Native Americans for as long as 7000
years
 Peyote cactus still used as part of
religious ceremonies in Southwest U.S.
by Native Americans
 First synthesized in 1943 by Dr.
Albert Hoffman
 Used as clinical research tool to
investigate biochemical etiology of
schizophrenia
 Abuse of hallucinogens peaked in late
’60s, waned during ’70s, & returned to
favor in 80’s as “designer drugs”
(MDMA and MDA)
Historical Accounts
 Dr.
Albert Hoffman’s SelfExperiments
 Advertising Agent’s Trip
PCP
 Usually taken episodically in binges
that can last for several days
 No physical dependence; psychological
dependence occurs with craving in
chronic users along with tolerance
Symptoms of PCP Intoxication
 Develop within hour of
use (or less when smoked,
snorted, or injected IV)
 Belligerence
 Assaultiveness
 Impulsiveness
 Unpredictability
 Psychomotor agitation
 Impaired judgment
 Hypertension or
tachycardia
 Ataxia
 Muscle rigidity
 Seizures or coma
Psilocybin
 Comes from Psilocybe mushroom
indigenous to U.S. and Mexico
 Effect similar to that of LSD, but with
shorter duration
Mescaline
 Primary active ingredient of peyote cactus
 Only hallucinogenic compound used
legally for religious purposes by Native
American Church of U.S.
 Does not cause physical or psychological
dependence
 Tolerance can develop
Common Physiological Effects
 Nausea & vomiting
Chills
 Dilated pupils
 Increased pulse, blood
pressure, A& temperature
 Mild dizziness
 Trembling
 Loss of appetite
 Insomnia
 Sweating
 A slowing of
respirations
 Elevation in blood
sugar
Psychological Effects
 Heightened response to
color, texture, and sounds
 Heightened body
awareness
 Distortion of vision
Sense of slowing time
 Emotions are magnified
(love, ,lust, hate, joy, pain,
terror, despair)
 Fear of losing control
 Paranoia, panic
 Euphoria, bliss
 Projection of self into
dreamlike images
 Serenity, peace
 Depersonalization
 Derealization
 Increased libido
Reason for Emergency Department Contact, by Drug Type, 2002
Reason
LSD
PCP
Other*
Unexpected reaction
349
2,443
574
Overdose
147
2,377
536
Chronic effects
—
836
45
Withdrawal
—
—
0
119
392
17
Accident/injury
8
331
19
Other
44
413
—
Unknown
—
665
17
Seeking detoxification
*Other stands for miscellaneous hallucinogens
http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/hallucinogens/index.html