Hallucinogens AUSTRALIAN DRUG FOUNDATION
08 HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU
This pamphlet is part of the “How Drugs Affect You� series. It aims to provide the facts about hallucinogens for anyone interested in understanding more about these drugs. It has been written for the general public, including employees, employers, health professionals and their clients.
Other titles in this series include alcohol, amphetamines, analgesics, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, drugs and their effects, ecstasy, GHB, ice, heroin, inhalants, ketamine and tobacco.
08 HOW DRUGS AFFECT YOU
What are hallucinogens? Hallucinogenic drugs, also known as “psychedelics”, are drugs that change the way a person perceives the world. Hallucinogens affect all the senses, altering a person’s thinking, sense of time and emotions. They can cause a person to hallucinate—seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted. There are many different kinds of hallucinogens. Some occur naturally, in trees, vines, seeds, fungi and leaves. Others are made in laboratories. Some examples of hallucinogens are:
»» LSD (lysergic
acid diethylamide) »» PCP (phencyclidine) »» magic mushrooms (psilocybin)
»» ketamine »» mescaline
(peyote cactus)
»» morning glory seeds »» datura.
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) LSD is made from a substance found in ergot, which is a fungus that infects rye. It is a very powerful drug, so only very small doses are usually taken. Street names Acid, trips, tabs, microdots, dots. What it looks like In its pure state, LSD is a white odourless powder. It usually comes in the form of squares of gelatine or blotting paper that have been dipped or soaked in LSD. LSD is also sold as a liquid, tablets or capsules.
PCP (phencyclidine) PCP is a dissociative anaesthetic. Dissociative anaesthetics can make a person feel as though they are detached from their body.
Street names Angel dust, peace pill. What it looks like In its pure state, PCP is a white crystalline powder. It usually comes in the form of tablets, capsules or different coloured powders.
Magic mushrooms (psilocybin) There are several varieties of magic mushrooms. “Golden tops”, “blue meanies” and “liberty caps” are some of the types found in Australia. Street names Shrooms, mushies, magics, golden tops, blue meanies, liberty caps. What they look like Magic mushrooms look much like ordinary dried mushrooms, or they come as powdered material in capsules. Synthetic psilocybin appears as a white crystalline powder that may be processed into tablets or capsules, or dissolved in a liquid. Mushrooms containing psilocybin can often look very similar to other mushrooms that are actually poisonous.
Ketamine Ketamine hydrochloride is a dissociative anaesthetic that is sometimes used in medical and veterinary settings. Street name Special K, K, ket, kitkat, super K. What it looks like Ketamine is a white crystalline powder that can be made into tablets, or dissolved in liquid.
Mescaline (peyote cactus) Mescaline is the active ingredient of the peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii. It can also be made synthetically. Street names Cactus, cactus buttons, cactus joint, mesc, mescal.
What it looks like In its pure state, mescaline sulphate is a white crystalline powder. Synthetic mescaline may appear as different coloured powders. The peyote cactus contains “buttons” that can be cut from the root of the plant and dried.
Other hallucinogens Some other naturally occurring hallucinogens include:
»» morning glory seeds (from the Convolvulaceae family) »» datura (Datura stramonium) »» deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) »» salvia (Salvia divinorum) Cannabis and ecstasy can also have hallucinogenic effects when taken in high doses.
How are they used? Hallucinogens have been used since ancient times by various cultures throughout the world for their mystical and spiritual associations. LSD, PCP and ketamine are usually swallowed, snorted, injected or smoked. Magic mushrooms are usually eaten fresh, cooked or brewed into a “tea”. Occasionally, they may be mixed with tobacco or cannabis and smoked. Mescaline is usually swallowed. Peyote buttons may be ground into a powder and then smoked with cannabis or tobacco. The buttons can also be chewed or soaked in water to produce a liquid. Generally, people who use hallucinogens don’t take them on a regular basis, but on occasions that may be weeks or months apart. Medicinal uses Some hallucinogens are used in clinical medicine. For example, ketamine is sometimes used in medical and veterinary settings as a short-acting anaesthetic.
Hallucinogens in Australia According to the National Drug Strategy Household Survey1, in 2010:
»» 8.8 per cent of Australians aged over 14 years had
used hallucinogens (other than cannabis and ecstasy) at some stage in their life »» 1.4 per cent had used them in the previous 12 months »» the average age at which people first tried hallucinogens (other than cannabis and ecstasy) was 19.8 years. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2011 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Report, Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
1
Effects of hallucinogens The effects of any drug (including hallucinogens) vary from person to person. How hallucinogens affect a person depends on many things including their size, weight and health, also whether the person is used to taking them and whether other drugs are taken around the same time. The effects of any drug also depend on the amount taken. This can be very hard to judge as the quality and strength of illicit drugs can vary greatly from one batch to another.
Immediate effects The effects of hallucinogens can last several hours and vary considerably, depending on the specific type of hallucinogen. Some of the typical effects of hallucinogens are listed in the diagram. Low to moderate doses Some of the effects that may be experienced after taking hallucinogens include: See diagram
“Bad trips” Sometimes a person may experience the negative effects of hallucinogens and have what is called a “bad trip”. They may experience some of the following:
»» unpleasant and/or
intense hallucinations »» anxiety
»» paranoia »» panic or fear
Body » increased body temperature and sweating, may alternate with chills and shivering » numbness
Stomach » nausea and vomiting
Heart » increased heart rate and blood pressure » irregular heartbeat, palpitations
Eyes » blurred vision
Psychological effects » feelings of euphoria » sense of relaxation and wellbeing » hallucinations and distorted perception including visual, auditory, body, time and space » disorganised thoughts, confusion and difficulty concentrating, thinking or maintaining attention » anxiety, agitation, paranoia and feelings of panic
Lungs » increased breathing rate
Muscles » loss of coordination
Brain » dizziness
Low to moderate doses
Some people may experience a drug-induced psychosis after using hallucinogens. This can occur after a single dose or long-term use. The psychosis is usually characterised by hallucinations, delusions and bizarre behaviour and can last for several hours or longer for some people. Higher doses High doses of hallucinogens can increase the negative immediate effects. Deaths from an overdose of LSD, magic mushrooms and mescaline are extremely rare. Not knowing the strength or purity of the hallucinogen increases the risk of overdose. Deaths generally occur due to suicide, accidents and dangerous behaviour, or due to the person inadvertently eating poisonous plant material. An overdose of PCP or ketamine can result in depressed breathing, coma, convulsions, seizures and death. Coming down As the effects of the hallucinogen begin to wear off a person may experience a range of effects. These effects can last for a number of days after use and may include:
»» depression »» anxiety
»» panic attacks »» psychosis.
Long-term effects The most common long-term effect of hallucinogen use is the “flashback”. Flashbacks are a re-experience of the drug and can occur days, weeks, months and even years later. Flashbacks can be triggered by the use of other drugs, or by stress, fatigue or physical exercise. The flashback experience can range from being pleasant to causing severe feelings of anxiety. They are usually visual and last for a minute or two. Tolerance and dependence There is evidence that people who use hallucinogens regularly can develop dependence and tolerance to them. Tolerance means they need to take larger amounts of hallucinogens to get the same effect. People who are psychologically dependent on hallucinogens may find they feel an urge to use it when they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends. There is a small risk of physical dependence from hallucinogens.
Withdrawal If a dependent person stops taking hallucinogens, they may experience withdrawal symptoms because their body has to get used to functioning without hallucinogens. Symptoms of withdrawal include:
»» cravings for
hallucinogens »» fatigue
»» irritability »» reduced ability to
experience pleasure.
Hallucinogens and driving It is dangerous to drive after using hallucinogens. The effects of hallucinogens can affect driving ability and increase the chance of an accident.
Hallucinogens and the workplace Under occupational health and safety legislation, all employees have a responsibility to make sure they look after their own and their co-workers’ safety. The effects of hallucinogens and the symptoms of coming down and withdrawal can affect a person’s ability to work safely and effectively.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding Many drugs can cross the placenta and affect an unborn child. Using drugs when pregnant can increase the chances of going into labour early. This can mean that babies are born below the normal birth weight. If a mother uses hallucinogens while breastfeeding, the drug may be present in her breast milk. This may have an effect on the health of the baby. Check with your doctor or other health professional if you are using or planning to use hallucinogens or any other drugs during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Hallucinogens and other drugs The effects of mixing hallucinogens with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medications
and over-the-counter medicines, are often unpredictable. Mixing hallucinogens with stimulant drugs increases the stimulant effects and can further increase the heart rate and place the body under extreme stress. Combining hallucinogens with depressant drugs such as alcohol may further reduce coordination and increases the chances of vomiting.
Hallucinogens and social problems All areas of a person’s life can be affected by drug use.
»» Disagreements and frustration over drug use can cause family arguments and affect personal relationships.
»» Legal and health problems can also add to the strain on personal, financial and work relationships.
Hallucinogens and the law Many hallucinogens are illegal in Australia. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, cultivating and selling some hallucinogens. However, driving under the influence of any hallucinogen is illegal. Penalties can include fines, imprisonment and disqualification from driving. For more information contact a legal aid service in your state or territory.
Treatment options In Australia, there are many different treatment options for drug problems. Some aim to help a person to stop using a drug, while others aim to reduce the risks and harm related to their drug use. Treatment is more effective if adapted to suit each person’s situation. Some of the different options include individual counselling, group therapy, medication (pharmacotherapy), residential therapy and supervised/ home withdrawal.
Preventing and reducing harms Australia’s national drug policy is based on harm minimisation. Strategies to minimise harm include encouraging people to avoid using a drug through to helping people to reduce the risk of harm if they do use a drug. It aims to reduce all types of drug-related harm to both the individual and the community. The telephone numbers for the alcohol and other drug service in your state or territory are listed on the back of this pamphlet.
There is no safe level of drug use Use of any drug always carries some risk—even medications can produce unwanted side effects. It is important to be careful when taking any type of drug.
What to do if you are concerned about someone’s drug use If you are concerned about someone’s drug use, there is confidential help available. Contact the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory. The telephone numbers are listed on the back of this pamphlet.
What to do in a crisis If someone overdoses or has an adverse reaction while using hallucinogens, it is very important that they receive professional help as soon as possible. A quick response can save their life.
»» Call an ambulance. Dial 000. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve the police.
»» Stay with the person until the ambulance arrives.
Find out if anyone at the scene knows cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). »» Ensure that the person has adequate air by keeping crowds back and opening windows. Loosen tight clothing. »» If the person is unconscious, don’t leave them on their back—they could choke. Turn them on their side
and into the recovery position. Gently tilt their head back so their tongue does not block the airway. »» If breathing has stopped, apply CPR. »» Provide the ambulance officers with as much information as you can—such as what hallucinogen was taken, how long ago and any pre-existing medical conditions. For further tips on how to reduce the risks of using hallucinogens, call the alcohol and drug information service in your state or territory. The telephone numbers are listed below.
ACT (02) 6207 9977
Tas. 1800 811 994
NSW (02) 9361 8000 (Sydney) 1800 422 599 (NSW)
Vic. 1300 85 85 84 (information)
NT 1800 131 350
QLD 1800 177 833 SA
1300 131 340
1800 888 236 (counselling)
WA (08) 9442 5000 (Perth) 1800 198 024 (WA)
Produced by the Australian Drug Foundation © 2011. Celebrating more than 50 years of service to the community, the Australian Drug Foundation is Australia’s leading body committed to preventing alcohol and other drug problems in communities around the nation. www.adf.org.au For further copies of this pamphlet: Post: PO Box 818 North Melbourne Vic 3051 Street: 409 King Street West Melbourne Vic 3003 Email: druginfo@adf.org.au Web: www.druginfo.adf.org.au