Hallucinogens, as a category, include the following drugs:
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is the most potent of all the hallucinogens. It is a clear or white, odorless, water- soluble material with a slightly bitter taste. It is produced in crystalline form, and sold on the streets as tablets, capsules or in liquid form. It is also diluted and applied to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small decorated squares, with each square representing one dose.
The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount of the drug taken; the user’s personality, mood, and expectations: and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug within 30 to 90 minutes of ingestion. These experiences last for extended periods of time and typically begin to clear after about 12 hours. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Sensations may seem to “cross over” for the user, giving the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. If taken in a large enough doses, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations.
LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is founding ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is sold on the street in tablets, capsules, and occasionally in liquid form. LSD is an odorless and colorless substance with a slightly bitter taste that is usually ingested orally.
PCP
PCP (angel dust) was developed in the 1950’s as an intravenous anesthetic, is classified as a dissociative surgical anesthetic. Its’ sedative and anesthetic effects are trance-like, and patients experience being “out of body” and detached from their environment. PCP has been used in veterinary medicine but has never been approved for human use because of problems that arose during clinical studies, including extreme agitation experienced by patients emerging from anesthesia.
PCP is a bitter tasting, white crystalline powder that can dissolve in water. PCP is most often snorted, smoked, or ingested in a pill form. The powder form of PCP can be easily mixed with dyes and often appears on the street in various colors whether sold as a tablet, capsule, liquid, or powder.
The effects of PCP use are unpredictable, can be felt within minutes of ingestion, and can last for many hours. Physical effects can include shallow, rapid breathing; increased blood pressure; elevated heart rate; and increased temperature. Nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, and decreased awareness can also occur. High doses of PCP can cause convulsions, coma, hypothermia, and death. PCP is an addictive drug that can cause psychological dependence, cravings, and compulsive drug seeking behaviors.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is obtained from certain mushrooms found in South America, Mexico, and the U. S., although the substance can also be produced synthetically. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried with long, arrow stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. These mushrooms are usually ingested orally, but can also be brewed in a tea or added to food to mask the bitter flavor. Once ingested, Psilocybin is broken down in the user’s body to produce psilocyn, another hallucinogenic substance.
Physical effects of psilocybin are usually experienced within 20 minutes of ingestion and can last for 6 hours. Negative physical symptoms of psilocybin use can include vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and panic reactions. Frequent use of this drug can result in the development of a tolerance.
Mescaline
Mescaline is the active hallucinogenic ingredient in peyote. Peyote is a small, spineless cactus historically used by natives in Mexico and the southwestern U. S. as part of religious rites. Mescaline can also be produced synthetically.
Ketamine
Ketamine, “K”, “Special K” ,“Vitamin K” , is a dissociative anesthetic developed to replace PCP. It is currently used in human anesthesia and veterinary medicine. Much of the ketamine sold on the street has been illegally diverted from veterinarian’s offices. Although it is manufactured as an injectable liquid, in illegal use, ketamine is generally evaporated to form a powder that is snorted or compressed into tablets. Ketamine is odorless, tasteless and induces amnesia. Because of these properties, it is sometimes added to beverages of unsuspecting victims and used in the commitment of sexual assaults referred to as “date rape”. Ketamine is also ingested by large groups of people at so-called “raves.”
Ketamine’s chemical structure and actions are similar to those of PCP and the effects are similar, but ketamine is much less potent than PCP , with the effects of much shorter duration. Users report sensations ranging from pleasant feeling of floating to being separated from their bodies. Some experience terrifying feelings of dissociation and complete sensory detachment that is likened to a “near-death” experience.
Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Dextromethorphan, sometimes called DXM or “robo”, is a cough-suppressing ingredient present in a variety of over-the-counter cough medications. The most common source of liquid dextromethorphan is the “extra-strength” cough syrup which frequently contains and increase amount of the drug. At these higher doses, the drug produces dissociative effects similar to those of PCP and Ketamine.
Dextromethorphan users describes a set of distinct dose-dependent “plateaus” ranging from a mild stimulant effect with distorted visual perceptions at low (approximately 2-ounce) doses to a sense of complete dissociation from one’s body at doses of 10 ounces or more. The effects typically last for 6 hours.
