Hallucinogenic drugs are substances that alter the perception, mood, and thinking of those who consume them, producing intense and often distorted sensory effects. There are several types of hallucinogenic drugs, the main ones being: LSD, magic mushrooms, mescaline, DMT, ayahuasca, and MDMA. Each of these drugs has unique properties and can cause different psychedelic experiences in those who consume them. It is important to emphasize that the use of these substances must be done with caution and responsibility, due to their potential adverse effects and risks to mental and physical health.
Types of hallucinogenic drugs: discover the substances that alter perception and consciousness.
Hallucinogenic drugs are substances that alter the perception and consciousness of those who consume them. There are different types of hallucinogenic drugs, which cause varying effects on the brain and body. Below, we present the 6 main types of hallucinogenic drugs:
LSD: LSD, also known as acid, is one of the most well-known hallucinogenic drugs. It can cause intense visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as changes in mood and perception of time.
Magic mushrooms: Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance that can cause effects similar to LSD. They are primarily consumed orally and can cause intense tripping experiences.
DMT: DMT is a powerful hallucinogenic substance found in plants and used in rituals by some indigenous cultures. It can cause intense, short-lived tripping experiences.
Mescaline: Mescaline is a hallucinogenic substance found in the peyote cactus and some other plants. It can cause intense visual and sensory hallucinations, as well as physical effects such as nausea and tremors.
Ketamine: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that also has hallucinogenic properties. It can cause sensations of floating and disconnection from the body, as well as visual and auditory hallucinations.
PCP: PCP, also known as angel dust, is a powerful hallucinogenic drug that can cause psychotic effects and violent behavior. Its use is extremely dangerous and can lead to permanent brain damage.
It's important to emphasize that the use of hallucinogenic drugs can be extremely dangerous and harmful to your health. These substances alter perception and consciousness in unpredictable ways, potentially causing irreversible damage to the brain and body. Therefore, it's essential to avoid using these drugs and seek help if you experience any problems with their use.
Medications that can cause hallucinations: find out which substances can cause this effect.
There are several medications that can cause hallucinations as a side effect. It's important to be aware of the potential risks when taking certain types of substances. Below, we list the 6 main types of medications. hallucinogens:
1. Antidepressants: Some antidepressants, such as bupropion and mirtazapine, can cause hallucinations in some people. It's important to report any unusual symptoms to your doctor when starting antidepressant treatment.
2. Antipsychotics: Antipsychotic medications, such as olanzapine and risperidone, can cause hallucinations in certain patients. It's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions and report any side effects while using these medications.
3. Painkillers: Some opioid painkillers, such as codeine and oxycodone, can trigger hallucinations in certain individuals. It is essential to use these medications only under medical prescription and in appropriate doses.
4. Antibiotics: Certain antibiotics, such as clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin, can cause hallucinations as a side effect. If unusual symptoms occur during antibiotic treatment, it's important to seek medical advice.
5. Anticonvulsants: Some anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin and topiramate, can trigger hallucinations in some people. It's crucial to follow your doctor's recommendations when using these medications to treat seizures and other neurological disorders.
6. Medications for Sleep Disorders: Some medications used to treat sleep disorders, such as zolpidem and zopiclone, can cause hallucinations in some patients. It's essential to follow your doctor's instructions and report any side effects when using these medications.
When taking any type of medication, it's important to be aware of possible side effects, including hallucinations. If unusual symptoms occur, it's essential to seek medical advice to assess the need for treatment adjustments. Always follow your doctor's recommendations and avoid self-medication to ensure your safety and well-being.
Learn about psychedelic substances that cause hallucinations and sensory distortions.
There are several types of hallucinogenic medications that can cause hallucinations and sensory distortions. These psychedelic substances are known to alter perceptions of reality and provide unique sensory experiences to their users.
Among the main types of hallucinogenic drugs are LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT, MDMA, and ketamine. Each of these substances has unique properties and specific effects on the mind and body.
O LSD is one of the most well-known and widely used psychedelic substances. It is synthesized from lysergic acid and is known to cause intense hallucinations and alterations in the perception of time and space.
A psilocybin, found in hallucinogenic mushrooms, is also known for its hallucinogenic effects. It acts on serotonin receptors in the brain, causing changes in sensory perception and thinking.
A mescaline, found in the peyote cactus and other plants, is a hallucinogenic substance used in religious rituals and traditional ceremonies. It is known to cause intense visual and sensory hallucinations.
O DMT, also known as "the spirit molecule," is a hallucinogenic substance found in various plants and used in shamanic rituals. It is known to induce out-of-body experiences and encounters with spiritual entities.
O MDMA, popularly known as ecstasy, is a substance that combines stimulant and hallucinogenic properties. It is used at parties and social events, providing feelings of euphoria and empathy.
A ketamine It is a dissociative anesthetic that also has hallucinogenic properties. It is used in both medical and recreational settings, causing sensations of floating and disconnection from the body.
Each of these substances has unique effects and can provide profound and transformative experiences for those who use them.
List of the five most common drugs and their effects on the human body.
Hallucinogenic drugs are substances that alter people's perception and consciousness, causing psychedelic effects. There are different types of hallucinogenic drugs, the most common being:
1. LSD: LSD is a synthetic drug that causes intense hallucinations, sensory distortions, and mood swings. Its effects on the human body include pupil dilation, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and altered perception of time and space.
2. Magic mushrooms: Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a hallucinogenic substance that produces effects similar to LSD. Its effects include feelings of euphoria, a distorted perception of reality, and heightened emotions.
3. MDMA: MDMA, also known as ecstasy, is a stimulant drug that induces feelings of well-being, empathy, and increased energy. Its effects on the human body include increased body temperature, dehydration, and long-term brain damage.
4. DMT: DMT is a natural hallucinogenic substance found in some plants. Its effects include intense visual hallucinations, an out-of-body experience, and a deep spiritual connection.
5. Ketamine: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that causes hallucinogenic effects when used recreationally. Its effects on the human body include a feeling of dissociation between body and mind, memory loss, and impaired motor coordination.
It's important to emphasize that the use of hallucinogenic medications can cause negative health effects, such as psychotic episodes, anxiety, and dependence. Therefore, it's essential to seek professional help if you experience any problems related to the use of these substances.
The 6 main types of hallucinogenic drugs
Hallucinogenic drugs are a variety of substances that cause hallucinatory perceptions or cause the subject to distance themselves from reality because of substance use.
Once these substances (drugs) enter the central nervous system (CNS), the person experiences altered states of consciousness, which may vary depending on the types of hallucinogenic drugs and the level of tolerance than the individual who consumes them.
In the following lines, we will see what are the characteristics of the main types of hallucinogenic drugs.
Main types of hallucinogenic drugs
From now on, we will see a list of the main types of hallucinogenic drugs that exist and some of their most characteristic effects.
1. LSD
LSD is a compound derived from the rye fungus It is white and water-soluble, and completely odorless. Originally, this medicine is produced in crystal form, then crushed and turned into a powder.
The effects of this medication are called "trips" by its users, who cannot be sure whether the effect will be pleasant or unpleasant. The main effect of this drug is disrupt serotonin receptors (5-HT- receptors) , in addition to producing hallucinations.
- You may be interested in: “First use of LSD: effects on mental health”
2. Mescaline
This medicine is an alkaloid with hallucinogenic properties. The most common way to consume mescaline is chewing peyote (Mexican cactus), but you can also prepare a tea-like infusion.
The effects are not far from those we previously analyzed in relation to LSD. The most significant difference is the duration of the effects; LSD lasts approximately 8 to 10 hours, while in this case the effects can last up to 3 days .
3. ecstasy
This drug is also known as MDMA , belongs to the amphetamine family and is a stimulant; therefore, its consumption often causes people to experience feelings of intense pleasure and mental stimulation. Therefore, ecstasy is a very popular recreational drug.
Although the effects may seem good, they are not naturally regulated by the body; therefore, the negative effects end up being greater than the “positive” ones, which basically consist of a temporary feeling of well-being.
4. Phencyclidine
This is a dissociative drug, which in addition to having hallucinogenic effects like the others, also has an important anesthetic effect The most common name for this medicine on the street is “angel dust” and it is presented as a water-soluble crystalline powder, although it is also consumed in tablet form.
The effect of this drug lasts less than that presented previously, approximately 4 hours, and causes hallucinations in the subject, accompanied by intense states of euphoria and some distortions related to the senses.
5. Cannabis derivatives
These drugs are not considered hallucinogens as such, but they have hallucinatory effects on many of those who consume them, which is why they are in this ranking. The main components of this are THC and CBD .
These medications cause significant changes in perception and hallucinations. It's also common for the patient to experience an unusual increase in appetite while the effects are occurring.
6. Dimethyltryptamine
From the tryptamine family, dimethyltryptamine is a rare drug that is commonly consumed in various forms, most popularly in cigarette form, although it can also be administered by injection or inhalations.
The effects are much shorter than those of previous medications, approximately 5 to 30 minutes in maximum. Despite its short effect, the hallucinations that occur after consumption are generally quite intense.
The risks of consuming these substances
This variety of medicines presents a series of varied risks for those who consume them , experiencing serious behavioral disorders, a possible withdrawal syndrome when they stop using (not in all cases) and even changes at an organic level related to neurotransmitters in the brain
These risks depend largely on several factors, such as the amount consumed and the length of time the individual continues to ingest the substance, as well as the level of tolerance the person has for a given substance. Those with a low tolerance don't require much consumption to be affected by the hallucinogenic effects of these substances. Over time and with increased frequency of use, people develop a greater tolerance.
Another risk of using hallucinogenic drugs is that they play an important role as prelude for the subject to become more powerful and dangerous for your health.
For example, people who use marijuana frequently have a high risk of using other drugs, such as LSD, ecstasy, or mescaline. When a person develops a tolerance, it becomes more difficult to achieve the same pleasurable sensations associated with use as initially, and experimentation with other psychoactive substances is common.
Where do these medicines come from?
A large number of hallucinogenic drugs originate from Latin American and African countries. For example, peyote mushrooms, from which mescaline is extracted, are native to Mexico.
As for Europe, there is a type of hallucinogenic fungus, also known as hallucinogenic mushroom; It is amanita muscaria or false oronja, which can be obtained with a substance called psilocybin with psychoactive properties.
However, not all types of hallucinogenic drugs arise from substances present in fungi.
- You may be interested in: ” Hallucinations: definition, causes and symptoms “
References:
- Gahlinger, P.M. (2001). Illegal Drugs: A Complete Guide to Their History, Chemistry, Use, and Abuse. USA: Sagebrush Press.
- Mahoney A., Evans, J. (2008). Comparing drug classification systems. Proceedings of the AMIA Annual Symposium: 1039.