The Effects of Misused Hallucinogens
- A small dose of hallucinogens can adversely affect an individual on:
· The physical
· The mental health
- Hallucinogens refer to a group of drugs which have effects on the brain and cause hallucinations. In the other words, hallucinations refer to hearing, seeing, touching or tasting non-existing things (Strassman, 1995). A number of common drugs are categorised as hallucinogens. These include magic mushrooms, LSD and mescaline. However, the mainly used terms are acid, trip and LSD. Naturally, hallucinogens occur in fungi, such as magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, vines and trees. Mixing various chemical substances in the laboratory can also yield a hallucinogen, LSD as an example. There are also some drugs that exhibit effects similar to those of hallucinogens, and these include cannabis and ecstasy. Tripping is a term that is often used to refer to using hallucinogens (NIDA, 2011).
The Hallucinogen
Hallucinogens refer to a group of drugs which have effects on the brain and cause hallucinations. In the other words, hallucinations refer to hearing, seeing, touching or tasting non-existing things (Strassman, 1995). A number of common drugs are categorised as hallucinogens. These include magic mushrooms, LSD (d-lysegic acid diethylamide) and mescaline. However, the mainly used terms are acid, trip and LSD. Naturally, hallucinogens occur in fungi, such as magic mushrooms, or psilocybin, vines and trees. Mixing various chemical substances in the laboratory can also yield a hallucinogen, LSD as an example. There are also some drugs that exhibit effects similar to those of hallucinogens, and these include cannabis and ecstasy. Tripping is a term that is often used to refer to using hallucinogens (NIDA, 2011).
The Common Characteristic of Hallucinogen
- Under the influence of hallucinogen, people usually report experiencing rapid, emotional swings, seeing unreal images, hearing sounds and feelings sensations that seem so real but are not.
- Hallucinogen have disrupting communication between neurotransmitter system throughout the brain and the spinal cord that relate to sensory receptor, mood change, sleep time, the temperature of the body, sexual behavior.
The Incorporated in Spiritual or Ritualistic Traditions of Hallucinogen
- Hallucinogen's use is what has been cited as what led to their propagation as drugs that can be abused (Druginfo. 2011). An uncommon characteristic of hallucinogens is that their effects are highly unreliable and variable as they produce vary effects in different individuals. This is mainly attributed to the fact that the composition and amount of active compounds, especially for those hallucinogens derived from mushrooms and plants, vary significantly. This unpredictable nature makes both use and abuse of the drugs considerably dangerous (Druginfo. 2011).
- Taking each drug individually, the person who has abused LSD has his/her feelings and sensations changing more dramatically than the physical signs. Such an individual may also have a couple of emotions being felt at the same time or swing rapidly between different emotions. Delusions and visual hallucinations occur if the drug is taken in doses that are large enough (Hanley Centre, 2012). These experiences alter the user’s sense of self and time. Experiences may appear to be crossing over different senses making the user hear colours and see sounds. Such changes can frighten the user and cause panic. Some also experience flashbacks, and if these persist, the user can be distressed and become socially or occupationally impaired. This condition is referred to as hallucinogen-induced persisting perceptual disorder (HPPD) (NIDA, 2009). Most of those who use LSD eventually decrease or stop the use of the drug and as such, it is not considered to be addictive. However, it must be noted that the drug can produce a tolerance, where the user has to increase the doses progressively in order to attain the intoxication state previously achieved. This practice is considered extremely dangerous considering that the drug has unpredictable effects (NIDA, 2009).
Domestic Violence and The Misuse of Hallucinogen
- Effects such as mood swings, loss of muscle control, loss of the sense of self, among others can cause and individual to act irresponsibly in case of differences within families or between couples. Such an individual can resort to violence as a result of not being in his/her normal self (HealthyPeople.gov. 2012). Suicide is currently a widespread social problem. Psychological deficits, psychiatric illnesses and other effects result from misuse of the drugs can potentially lead to suicide. Other social problems include crime, homicide, and motor vehicle crashes (HealthyPeople.gov. 2012).
- Furthermore, when the drugs takers realize the danger of using the drugs, stopping using it becomes another problem. Evidently, the users develop addictiveness after a long period of time using hallucinogens. They begin to depend and can stop using the drug, and they need to take a larger amount of hallucinogens in order to get the same effect they had it for the fire time. They develop tolerance toward the drug. Psychological depending on the drugs, they cannot resist the urge to it even if they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends. The risk of physical dependence is also increase (Druginfo. 2011).
- Severe physical symptoms are considered rare during the withdrawal period for dependent people who stop taking hallucinogens. However, they may experience fatigue, irritability, craving for hallucinogens, and reducing ability to experience pleasure because their body has to get used to functioning without hallucinogens. In some cases, they may hurt themselves. In those cases, they can get help by provided a quiet room with little sensory stimulation. Occasionally, benzodiazepines are used to control extreme agitation or seizures (NIDA 2009).
- Hallucinogens are not as safe as deemed to be. The drugs, even when taken in small doses can have far reaching effects, physically, mentally and even socially. Another danger is that the effects of the drugs vary across individuals and also vary with the dose and composition. This implies that a drug that did not affect one individual can have detrimental effects on other individuals.
The Withdrawal Period
- At the point that the drugs takers realize the danger of using the drugs, stopping using it becomes another problem. Evidently, the users develop addictiveness after a long period of time using hallucinogens. They begin to depend and can stop using the drug, and they need to take a larger amount of hallucinogens in order to get the same effect they had it for the fire time. They develop tolerance toward the drug.
- Psychological depending on the drugs, they cannot resist the urge to it even if they are in specific surroundings or socialising with friends. The drug user's social life is the factor that lead to the risk of physical dependence is also increase (Druginfo. 2011).
- Severe physical symptoms are considered rare during the withdrawal period for dependent people who stop taking hallucinogens. However, they may experience fatigue, irritability, craving for hallucinogens, and reducing ability to experience pleasure because their body has to get used to functioning without hallucinogens.
- Based on the clinical sign above, they may hurt themselves in some cases. Also, they can get help by provided a quiet room with little sensory stimulation. Occasionally, benzodiazepines are used to control extreme agitation or seizures (NIDA 2009). In addition to benzodiazepines, people who are ready in withdrawal time or rehabilitation institute really need the strong support from their family as well as their own patient.