Psychedelics & Hallucinogens Flashcards
Hallucinogens have chemical structures similar to
acetylcholine or serotonin
Work by temporarily interfering with neurotransmitter action or by binding to their receptor site.
LSD
D-lysergic acid diethylamide “acid”
one of the most potent mood-changing chemicals
manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye & other grains
Sold in tablets, capsules and liquid form
Taken orally
Trips are about 12 hrs
Primary neurotransmitter involved: Serotonin (behavior, perception, mood, hunger, body temp. sexual behavior, muscle control & sensory perception
Acid Trip
User has the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds
Trip can be good or bad
Can cause flashbacks
Not considered addictive
Does produce tolerance
Cross-tolerance can occur
Short-term LSD effects
Dilated pupils
Rise in body temp
Increase HR& BP
Profuse Sweating
Loss of appetite
Sleeplessness
Dry mouth & tremors
Mescaline
Hallucinogen obtained from the Peyote cactus
It can also be found in certain members of the Fabaceae (bean family)
From earliest recorded time, peyote has been used by natives in northern Mexico and SW US for religious rites
The top of the cactus above ground, also referred to as the crown, consists of disc-shaped buttons that are cut from the roots and dried.
Buttons are chewed or soaked in water to produce intoxicating liquid
Dose is about 0.3 to 0.5 grams = 5 grams of dried peyote
Lasts about 12 hours
Produces rich visual hallucinations, euphoria, dream-like state, laughter and psychedelic experience!
Magic Mushrooms
Also known as: caps, magic mushrooms, psilocybin, psilocin, shrooms
Psilocybin and psilocin are the hallucinogenic principles contained in the “magic mushroom.”
They can be eaten, brewed or consumed as tea
Short-term effects: nausea, altered feelings and distorted perceptions of touch, sight, sound and taste. Also can cause nervousness and paranoia.
Effects differ depending on amount, potency, users expectations, mood, surroundings and frame of mind.
Trip can be good or bad
Long-term effects: flashbacks
Used by some native peoples of Mesoamerica for religious communion, divination and healing from pre-Columbian times up to the present.
Considered non-addictive
Concern is about picking the wrong kind
When psilocybin is ingested, it is broken down to produce psilocin = hallucinogenic effects
Mind-altering effects last 3-8 hours
Short-term effects magic mushrooms
nausea, altered feelings and distorted perceptions of touch, sight, sound and taste. Also can cause nervousness and paranoia.
Designer Drugs List
Crystal meth (already covered)
Ecstasy (X, E, Adam, MDMA)
Gamma hydroxybutyrate (GHB, G)
Ketamine (K, ket, special K, cat valium)
Designer drugs:
Man-made (synthetic)
Illegal
Made in underground labs
Used at parties and clubs
Very dangerous because you never know what is in them or the amount
Designer Drug risks
Death
Addiction
Criminal charges/prison terms
Heart and breathing failure
Blood vessel damage and stroke
Raised or lowered BP
Aggressive or suicidal behavior
Jaw clenching and teeth grinding
N & V
Muscle cramping or seizures
Panic attacks or feeling paranoid
Overheating and dehydration
Blackouts or passing out
