Hallucinogens

1. Hallucinogens

3. Outline • Hallucinogens terminology • The origin of hallucinogens • LSD • Psilocybin • Nutmeg and mice • Treatment

4. Terminology • Terms referring to hallucinogens can be confusing because many terms have been used to describe drugs with hallucinogenic characteristics. • The word hallucinogens refers to drugs that have the potential to produce hallucinations. • Generally, these are chemicals that alter thoughts, feelings and perceptions. • Many of these result in hallucinations only when they are taken in large quantities.

5. Terms Describing Hallucinogens: • Phantasticants: Drugs having stimulating and inebriating properties. • Psychedelic: Mind-manifesting. • Psychotomimetic: Psychotic-like. • Psychotogenic: Psychosis-generating.

6. The Origin of Hallucinogens • Almost all drugs that have hallucinogenic properties are derived from plants. • Two exceptions are LSD and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or ecstasy, which are produced synthetically.

7. Amanita muscaria: • One of the earliest and most common hallucinogens is the mushroom Amanita muscaria also called “fly agaric“

8. Saint Anthony’s Fire • A plant with hallucinogenic properties that was used by ancient Greeks in religious rituals is a fungus of the genus Claviceps, which grows on certain cereals, especially rye. • Reports of ergot poisoning –ergotism– killing thousands of people surfaced during the middle ages. • Ergotism is marked by: • Hallucinations, convulsions, epileptic symptoms, and delirium; gangrene leading to occasional loss of nose, ears, fingers, toes and feet; and possible death. Pregnant women would miscarry after ingesting this poisonous fungus.

9. Cont. • The epidemic was called the “Holy Fire,” because people had burning sensation in their hands and feet. To end the destruction, people went on pilgrimages to the shrine of Saint Anthony, the patron saint of fire, epilepsy and infection. • The epidemics which came to be known as Saint Anthony’s Fire, ended with a change in diet that excluded rye.

10. LSD

11. What is LSD? • LSD is the most powerful hallucinogen, Hence, its dosages are measured in micrograms. Tolerance develops rapidly. Thus, people cannot experience the effects of LSD if they have taken it within the previous three or four days. LSD which is consumed orally is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract metabolized by the liver, and quickly excreted. LSD has no taste color or odor. • LSD operates on the neurotransmitter serotoninin the brain. Serotonin plays a role in sensoryperception and mood.

12. Cont. • LSD is taken differently today when it was first introduced. Today it consists of microdots or diluted drops that typically are placed on blotter paper and licked. Its effects begin within an hour. Behavioral effects lasts 6 to 8 hours. Despite adverse publicity no fatal overdoses are documented. • Synesthesia is the blending of senses in which the person hears or tastes colors and sees sounds, is one outcome of LSD.

13. Brief Physiological Effects of LSD • Dilation of pupil • Increased blood pressure • Increased salivation • Dry mouth • Twitching • Dizziness • Rapid heart beat • Slight tremors • Higher body temperature • Fatigue • Muscle weakness • Numbness • Nausea • Uterine contractions

14. Phases of LSD Tripping • Psychological changes take effects for about 40 minutes after ingestion, the LSD trip consists of the following three distinct phases: • The first phase, lasting 1 to 2 hours, is marked by euphoria and either crying or laughing. • In the second stage, 2 to 3 hours after ingestion, visual illusions and hallucinations appear. • The third phase, 3 to 4 hours after ingestion, is characterized by distortion of time, ego disintegration, mood swings, and occasionally panic and depression.

15. LSD and Mental Illness • One of the first uses of LSD was to study mental illness, especially schizophrenia. This line of research was abandonedbecause people who were given LSD did not have the distorted thinking pattern found in schizophrenics.

16. LSD and Creativity • Because LSD affects perception strongly some people, especially artists, believe it enhances creativity. • A limitation in determining whether LSD has such effect in the creativity is difficult to measure. • LSD does not seem to improve creativity, although artists who has taken it largely seem to enjoy its effect.

17. Psilocybin

18. What is Psilocybin? • Psilocybin is drugs that seems to be making a resurgence in USA is magic mushrooms or “shrooms.” • The Aztecs called mushrooms containing psilocybin teonanacatl which translates in “God’s Flesh.” • Several species of mushrooms containing psilocybin grow in parts of USA, Mexico, Europe.

19. Cont. • Psilocybin is similar chemically to LSD, although its effects are shorter and are not as intense. • Psilocybin can by consumed orally in the form of dried mushrooms, by drinking a beverage containing mushrooms OR in tablet form. • It can be ground up and added to foods. • After psilocybin is ingested stomach enzyme convert it into Psilocin.

20. Cont. • No fatal overdose from psilocybin have been recorded. • A person can die from ingesting other types of mushrooms, though, and it is easy to mistake a poisonous mushroom for psilocybin.

21. Cont. • In small dose (4mg) psilocybin bring about feeling of euphoria and relaxation. • Psilocybin has an unpleasant taste. • The hallucinations produced by psilocybin are both visual and auditory.

22. Potential Effects Of Psilocybin • Euphoria • Easily distracted • Difficulty concentrating • Elevated body temperature • Pulse rate increase • Wide range of emotion • Involuntary movement of limbs Relaxation Open to suggestion Pupils dilate Blood pressure increase Muscle relaxation Hallucinations

23. Cont. • Psilocybin appears to slow brain activity, which may be beneficial in treating depression. • The user experiences hallucinogenic effect within 30 min, and these last 3 to 8 hours. • Psilocybin has no current medical use. • It has been found that psilocybin may reduce the effects of alcohol when they are taken simultaneously.

24. Anticholinergic Hallucinogen: Nutmeg & Mace

25. Nutmeg and mace Nutmeg is made from seeds of the Myristica tree and mace comes from the fruit of the same tree . Nutmeg and mace are not taken for hallucinogenic reasons because their unpleasant side effects include • Vomiting • Severe headache • Tachycardia • Nausea Myristicinsubstance found in nutmeg and mace: chemically similar to mescaline and capable of producing hallucinations

26. Mandrake Datura Belladonna Nutmeg Mace

27. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) Dimethltryptamine (DMT)is derived from the leaves , bark ,and seeds of various plant grown in south and central America that contain that substance . Natives using DMT would snort or blow it into each others noses. [ The hallucinogenic effects last 1 to 2 hours. ] *Euphoria and behavioral stimulation are associated with DMT.* *Unlike other hallucinogens, tolerance to DMT does not develop.* DMT has been studied to determine whether it helps people recover from alcohol and other drug abuse , but it was not proven effective . It has been shown to reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

28. Phencyclidine hydrochloride Classifying PCP is complicated because it generates anesthetic, hallucinogenic, stimulating , or depressing effects depending on the dosage and method of administration. Expert describe PCP as a dissociative anesthetic that causes the person to feel separated from reality. Dissociative anesthetic : substance that alters the perception of pain without loss of consciousness delirium tremens , rheumatism ,and menstrual pains .

29. Early use PCP has many nicknames, including angel dust , dust , and crystal. PCP later was used in veterinary medicine but has been largely replaced by similar drugs such as ketamine. It was mixed with marijuana , tobacco ,or vegetable matter . Because absorption is rapid, the effects of PCP are experienced quickly. Neither tolerance physical dependence results ,and no physical withdrawal symptoms are apparent after the person stops using the drug .

30. Effects of phencyclidine hydrochloride (PCP) Small dosage • Feeling of warmth • Faster heart rate • Confusion • Poor coordination • Higher body temperature • Euphoria • Poor concentration • Relaxation Large dosage • Anorexia • Suicide • Coma • Paranoia • Depression • Insomnia • Restlessness • Violent behavior. • death

31. ketamine Ketamineis used in veterinary medicine in place of PCP. It is effective for pain management in humans. Ketamine is considered a dissociative anesthetic. Ketamine is capable of producing confusion , hallucinations , irrational behavior , muscle rigidity , irregular heartbeat , loss of appetite. ketamine has been associated with cystitis , inflammation of the bladder . Likecocaine ,ketamine does not produce a physiological withdrawal syndrome , but some users become dependent on ketamine. ketamine may be effective for treating depression.

32. Thank you

33. Treatment

34. Treatment Starting the right treatment plan plays an important role in your fight against hallucinogen abuse. When it comes to the selection of an ideal treatment, there is a wide range of treatments you can consider today. Thus, it is recommended that you consult with a treatment center to decide what the best treatment for your addiction would be. Whether you are an adult or a youth suffering from a hallucinogenic addiction, take time to learn about your most suitable treatment options.

35. Cont. • Guidance and reassurance (“talking down” the patient) are usually enough. • In sever cases, antipsychotics or benzodiazepines may be used. • Teens can avoid this drug by using refusal skills. • Treatment options for drug dependence include detoxification, individual counselling and group therapy.