The effects of hallucinogens are often underestimated by people who use them without considering the harm they cause to the brain. These drugs can affect your mood, thoughts, and sense of reality. Some people hope to have a good experience, also known as a “trip.”
However, it’s common for the opposite to happen. Hallucinogens can make you feel confused, scared, or disconnected. These effects happen because hallucinogens affect brain chemicals like serotonin, which helps control mood, thinking, and stress responses.
According to a 2020 study by SAMHSA, about 0.1% of people aged 12 and older have had a hallucinogen use disorder. Learning about the effects of hallucinogens can help you make better choices and avoid dangerous situations. In this article, we’ll explore the short-term and long-term effects of hallucinogens and why getting help is important.
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What Are Hallucinogens?
Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that change how you see the world around you. They make you see, hear, or feel things that aren’t real. These drugs mess with the brain’s chemicals, especially those that control mood and thought.
Hallucinogens can cause unpredictable reactions, and each person’s experience is different. A “trip” can last anywhere from a few hours to 12 hours, or even longer. Some people feel happy and excited, while others feel anxious and scared.
Types of Hallucinogenic Drugs
There are two main types of hallucinogens: classic hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. Each has different effects on the brain and body.
Classic Hallucinogens
- LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide): LSD is a powerful drug that comes from a fungus found on rye and other grains. It can cause strong hallucinations, mood swings, and changes in perception.
- Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms): This drug is found in certain types of mushrooms and causes effects similar to LSD, like hallucinations and altered thinking.
- Peyote (Mescaline): Peyote is a small cactus that contains mescaline, a substance that causes hallucinations and altered consciousness.
- DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine): DMT is a substance found in some plants and can also be made in labs. It causes intense hallucinations and a changed sense of time.
- 251-NBOMe: This is a synthetic drug that acts like LSD but is much stronger and more dangerous.
- THC (Delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol): THC is the main active ingredient in marijuana. In high doses, it can cause paranoia, anxiety, and hallucinations.
Dissociative Drugs
- Ketamine: This drug causes users to feel detached from their surroundings. It can also lead to visual disturbances and confusion. Ketamine is sometimes used illegally as a “date rape” drug because it can be slipped into drinks.
- PCP (Phencyclidine): This drug can cause users to feel out of their bodies or disconnected from reality. It can be smoked, snorted, or injected.
- DXM (Dextromethorphan): Found in over-the-counter cough medicine, DXM can cause hallucinations and other mental effects when taken in high doses.
Short-Term Effects of Hallucinogens on the Brain
The short-term effects of hallucinogens can vary widely. Some people may have a good experience, while others may have a bad trip. The effects usually start within 20 to 90 minutes after taking the drug and can last for several hours.
Here are some common short-term effects of hallucinogens:
- Hallucinations: You might see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there.
- Mood Swings: Your emotions can change quickly. You may feel happy one moment and scared or anxious the next.
- Distorted Perception of Time: Time may seem to move slower or faster than normal.
- Nausea: Many users feel sick to their stomachs after taking hallucinogens.
- Panic Attacks: A bad trip can cause fear, anxiety, and confusion.
Hallucinogens are unpredictable. Even if you have used them before without any issues, you never know how they will affect you the next time. This is why they can be so dangerous.
Long-Term Effects of Hallucinogens on the Brain
The long-term effects of hallucinogens can be even more troubling. These effects can last for weeks, months, or even years after the drug use has stopped.
Some common long-term effects of hallucinogens include:
- Tolerance: Over time, your body builds up a tolerance to the drug. This means you’ll need more of it to feel the same effects. Taking higher doses can be very dangerous and increase your risk of bad trips.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: If you stop using the drug, you may experience withdrawal symptoms like cravings, headaches, sweating, anxiety, or irritability.
- Flashbacks: Some users experience flashbacks, where they suddenly feel like they’re back in a hallucinogenic trip, even long after the drug has worn off. These flashbacks can be very frightening.
- Persistent Psychosis: Some people develop ongoing mental health issues after using hallucinogens. This can include paranoia, confusion, mood swings, and seeing or hearing things that aren’t real.
- HPPD (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder): This disorder causes long-lasting changes in the way a person perceives the world. It can include visual disturbances, like seeing halos around objects, and can occur after just one use of hallucinogens.
Are Hallucinogens Addictive?
Hallucinogens don’t usually cause physical addiction the way some drugs, like opioids or alcohol, do. However, people can still develop a psychological dependence on them. This means they may feel the need to use the drug again and again to escape reality or feel a certain way. Over time, this can lead to harmful behaviors and dangerous situations.
Some hallucinogens, like PCP, can be addictive. Users may experience cravings and withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking the drug. Other hallucinogens, like LSD and psilocybin, don’t cause physical dependence but can still lead to risky behaviors and mental health problems.
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The Importance of Professional Treatment for Hallucinogen Use
If you or someone you know is struggling with hallucinogen use, it’s important to get help. Professional treatment centers offer the support and resources needed to recover from drug use. Medical and mental health professionals can work with you to create a personalized treatment plan. This plan includes therapy, lifestyle changes, and education to help you stay sober.
Many people benefit from learning how to live healthier, drug-free lives. Treatment programs like the Retreat of Atlanta often include lessons on nutrition, exercise, sleep habits, and self-care. These tools can help your brain recover from the damage caused by hallucinogens.
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Finding Help in Georgia
If you’re worried about the effects of hallucinogens on your brain, there is hope. At Retreat of Atlanta, we’re here to help if you’re struggling with drug use. Our team is ready to answer your questions, offer support, and guide you on your path to recovery.
Don’t let the effects of hallucinogens control your life. Call us today or visit the admissions page to begin your journey toward a healthier, sober future.
