The Story of H a l l u c i n o g e n s

1. The Story ofHallucinogens December 2, 2012 Linda M. Keegan Moraine Park Technical College

2. What are Hallucinogens?

3. What do they look like?

4. Where can you find them?

5. How do they affectthe body?

6. Your mind?

7. What would they do to YOU?

8. “Hallucinogens”= • Substances that alter sensory processing in the brain, • Causing perceptual disturbances, changes in thought processing and depersonalization

9. Also called“psychedelics”= • Substances that expand or heighten perception and consciousness

10. Also known as “psychomimetics”= • Substances that cause psychosis-like symptoms

11. A definitive drug category? • No. • Agreement has not been reached on what constitutes a hallucinogenic agent.

12. There are many different kinds of hallucinogens • A variety of seemingly unrelated drug groups can produce hallucinations, delusions, or sensory disturbances under certain conditions: • “Traditional” hallucinogens (such as LSD) • High doses of anticholinergics, cocaine, amphetamines, and steroids • Responses to traditional hallucinogens can vary greatly from person to person, and from experience to experience. • Multiple mechanisms are involved in the actions of these drugs.

13. Common Attributes The features of hallucinogens that distinguish them from other drug groups are their ability to: • alter perception, thought and feeling in such a manner… • that does not normally occur except in dreams or during experiences of extreme religious exaltation. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

14. Did You Know? • Some researchers have suggested that all hallucinogens act at a common central nervous system (CNS) site to exert their psychedelic effects. • Although this hypothesis has not been totally disproven, there is little evidence to support it. • The fact that so many different types of drugs can cause hallucinogenic effects suggests that multiple mechanisms are likely responsible for their action.

15. Types of hallucinogens • Traditional -- LSD and similar drugs, including hallucinogens derived from plants: • Mescaline from the peyote cactus • Psilocybin from mushrooms • Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from seeds • Myristicin from nutmeg

16. Types of hallucinogens Phenylethylamine • These drugs are chemically related to amphetamines. • They have varying degrees of hallucinogenic and CNS stimulant effects, which are likely related to their ability to release serotonin and dopamine, respectively. • Some are more LSD-like. • Some are more ampehtamine-like.

17. Types of Phenylethylamine Hallucinogens • Dimethoxymethylamphetamine (DOM or STP) • “Designer” Amphetamines: • 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) • Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)

18. More types of hallucinogens… Anticholinergic… Includes naturally occurring alkaloid (bitter organic base) substances that are present in plants and herbs found around the world

19. Types of Anticholinergic Hallucinogens • Atropa Belladonna • The Deadly Nightshade Plant • Mandragora Officinarum • The Mandrake • Hyoscyamus Niger • Henbane • Datura Stramonium • Jimsonweed

20. Other Hallucinogens • Phencyclidine (PCP) • Considered by many experts as the most dangerous of the hallucinogens • Ketamine • Called a “club drug” • Dextromethorphan • Active ingredient used in many OTC cough medicines • Marijuana • In high doses, marijuana use can result in image distortions and hallucinations

21. “Street Names” for LSD • Acid • Blotter • Blotter Acid • Dots • Microdot • Pane • Paper Acid • Sugar • Sugar Cubes • Trip • Window Glass • Window Pane • Zen

22. “Street Names” for Ketamine • Bump • Cat Valium • Green • Honey Oil • Jet • K • Purple • Special K • Special La Coke • Super Acid • Super C • Vitamin K

23. “Street Names”for PCP • Angel • Angel Dust • Boat • Dummy Dust • Love Boat • Peace • Supergrass • Zombie • PCP was developed in the late 1950s as an intravenous anesthetic. • Although it was found to be effective, it had serious side effects, such as precipitating schizophrenic-like symptoms that caused it to be discontinued for human use. • PCP is currently a Schedule II drug.

24. Key Points • Hallucinogens include a wide range of licit and illicit substances. • Some are Schedule 1. • Others have some medical use. • Some are plants and herbs. • Multiple mechanisms affect the brain/body. • There is altered perception, thought, feeling.

25. LSD is considered the prototype agent Typical users experience several stages of sensory experiences: • Heightened, exaggerated senses • Loss of control • Self-reflection • Loss of identity and a sense of cosmic merging Some or all stages might be experienced in a single “trip.”

26. Signs and Symptoms of Hallucinogens Possible Signs of Use • Heightened senses • Loss of control • Loss of identity • Illusions and hallucinations • Altered perception of time and distance Extreme Reactions • Increased body temperature (MDMA) • Electrolyte imbalance • Cardiac arrest • A nightmare-like trip (LSD) • Unable to direct movement, feel pain or remember

27. How Do Hallucinogens Affect the Brain? • LSD, peyote, and psilocybin cause their effects by initially disrupting the interaction of nerve cells and the neurotransmitter serotonin. • Distributed throughout the brain and spinal cord, the serotonin system is involved in the control of behavioral, perceptual and regulatory systems, including mood, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, muscle control, and sensory perception.

28. How Do Hallucinogens Affect the Brain? • On the other hand, PCP acts mainly through a type of glutamate receptor in the brain that is important for the perception of pain, responses to the environment, and learning and memory. • There have been no properly controlled research studies on the specific effects of these drugs on the human brain. • Smaller studies and case reports have been published documenting some effects…

29. A Closer Look at LSD • LSD=lysergic acid diethylamide. • It is colorless, odorless, tasteless. • Chemist Albert Hofmann, working in Switzerland, first synthesized LSD in 1938. • LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

30. A Closer Look at LSD • LSD is sold in tablets, capsules, and occasionally, liquid form. • Thus, it is usually taken orally. • LSD is often added to absorbent paper, which is then divided into decorated pieces, each equivalent to one dose. • The experiences, often referred to as “trips,” are long; typically, they end after about 12 hours.

31. A Closer Look at LSD • Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs in people under the influence of LSD. • LSD users may feel several emotions at once (including extreme terror). • Their senses may seem to get crossed, giving the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds.

32. A Closer Look at LSD • LSD causes its effects mainly by activating one type of receptor for serotonin. • Because serotonin has a role in many important functions, LSD use can have many effects. • These may include sleeplessness, trembling, and raised heart rate and blood pressure.

33. A Closer Look at LSD • The effects of LSD depend largely on the amount taken. • Other effects may include: • Dilated pupils • A rise in body temperature • Profuse sweating • Loss of appetite • Dry mouth • Nausea • Numbness

34. A Closer Look at LSD • Even a tiny speck of LSD can trigger a range of effects. • LSD has an unusual “echo,” called flashbacks (sudden repetitions of users’ LSD experiences) for days/months after they stop using the drug. • In some users, flashbacks can persist and cause significant distress in social/occupational functioning, called hallucinogen-induced persisting perceptual disorder (HPPD), a long-term effect, in addition to persistent psychosis.

35. A Closer Look at LSD • The psychotic adverse reaction, or “freakout,” is an intense, nightmarish experience. • The user may have complete loss of emotional control and experience paranoid delusions, hallucinations, panic attacks, psychosis, and catatonic seizures. • In rare instances, some of these reactions are prolonged, lasting days.

36. A Closer Look at LSD • The nonpsychotic adverse reactions may involve varying degrees of: • Tension • Anxiety • Fear • Depression • Despair • (but not as intense a response as the “freakout”) • In addition, cross-tolerance between LSD and other hallucinogens has been reported (such as psilocybin and mescaline). • Psychological dependency can occur.

37. A Closer Look at LSD • Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop its use over time. • LSD is not considered an addictive drug since it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. • However, LSD does produce tolerance, so some users who take the drug repeatedly must take progressively higher doses to achieve the state of intoxication that they had previously achieved. • This is an extremely dangerous practice, given the unpredictability of the drug.

38. Did You Know? http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/science/12psychedelics.html?_r=0 “Scientists are taking a new look at hallucinogens, which became taboo among regulators after enthusiasts like Timothy Leary promoted them in the 1960s with the slogan “Turn on, tune in, drop out.” Now, using rigorous protocols and safeguards, scientists have won permission to study once again the drugs’ potential for treating mental problems and illuminating the nature of consciousness. ”

39. Did You Know? • According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there were approximately 1.1 million persons aged 12 or older in 2007 who reported using hallucinogens for the first time within the past 12 months. • Today, the use of hallucinogens (excluding marijuana) is primarily a young-adult phenomenon.

40. Did You Know? Fact sheets on LSD, PCP, other illicit drugs, and related topics are available free, in English and Spanish, with a call to NIDA Infofax at: • 1-888-NIH-NIDA (1-888-644-6432) or, • 1-888-TTY-NIDA (1-888-889-6432) for deaf persons.

41. Other Ways to Manage ?

42. For specific conditions, check out the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/resources/spotlights/arthritis-video.htm Includes these links: • Arthritis Basics • Data and Statistics • Funded Science • State Programs • Publications • Interventions • Policy/Partnerships • Resources

43. Internet References • http://www.pewforum.org/Press-Room/Press-Releases/Supreme-Court-Rules-that-Religious-Group-Can-Use-Illegal-Drug-in-their-Worship-Services.aspx • http://www.legalaffairs.org/webexclusive/debateclub_drugs1105.msp • http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nlr/vol86/iss4/6/ • http://blog.speakupmovement.org/church/churches-and-politics/parochial-schools-and-peyote-how-illegal-drugs-and-christian-school-teachers-are-related/ • http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/sanctity/isdrugsrev1.shtml • http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/issues/

44. Internet References • http://www.indiana.edu/~engs/articles/religion2.htm • http://www.aecf.org/upload/publicationfiles/faith%20matters.pdf • http://www.casacolumbia.org/templates/PressReleases.aspx?articleid=115&zoneid=48 • http://secular.org/issues/rfra/position • http://suite101.com/article/marijuana-churches-drugs--freedom-of-religion-a212006 • http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=886 • http://www.independent.org/publications/tir/article.asp?a=46 • http://atheism.about.com/b/2012/11/15/daily-poll-religious-use-of-psychedelic-drugs.htm

45. Internet References • http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1031/p02s02-usju.html • http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2012/WDR_2012_Chapter2.pdf • http://fcnl.org/issues/nativeam/protecting_religious_freedom_and_sacred_sites/ • http://www.peaceofmindnews.com/2011/10/18/a-mixed-message-about-illegal-drugs/ • http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_timeline.php • http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_basics.shtml • http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp • http://www.whitehouse.gov/ondcp/2012-national-drug-control-strategy

46. Internet References • http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ondcp/2012_national_drug_control_strategy_executive_summary.pdf • http://www.maps.org/about/mission/ • http://www.maps.org/research/psilo/azproto.html • http://www.drugabuse.gov/drugs-abuse/lsd-acid • http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/hallucinogens-lsd-peyote-psilocybin-pcp • http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/mind-over-matter/hallucinogens • http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/hallucinogens-dissociative-drugs • http://www.drugabuse.gov/sites/default/files/rrhalluc.pdf

47. Internet References • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/drugabuse.html • http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v%3Aproject=medlineplus&query=hallucinogens&x=19&y=16 • http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/clubdrugs.html • http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/drugabuse/article6.html • http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/lsd.html • http://www.psychedelic-library.org/child.htm • http://www.well.com/user/woa/fshallu.htm • http://www.nationalfamilies.org/brain/lsd.html • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uFzhEDdexc

48. Internet References • http://www.livescience.com/16286-hallucinogens-lsd-mushrooms-ecstasy-history.html • http://files.shroomery.org/cms/6010825-Hallucinogens.pdf • http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_timeline.php • http://www.erowid.org/plants/mushrooms/mushrooms_basics.shtml • http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/12/science/12psychedelics.html?_r=0

49. Book Resource • Hanson, G. R., Venturelli, P. J., & Fleckenstein, A. E. (2012). Drugs and Society. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. • http://www.go.jblearning.com/hanson11

50. Need Help? Call… 211 or 911