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Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens
A group of mind-altering drugs that
affect the brain and nervous system,
bringing about changes in thought, selfawareness, emotion, and sensation.
 The term psychedelic was coined by
scientist Humphrey Osmond in 1956. It
means “revealing the mind.”

Hallucinogens
These drugs create
a distorted
perception of reality,
irrational thinking
patters, and
modified states of
consciousness.
 True to their name,
they produce
hallucinations.


This happens
because of the
blood vessels in the
brain to constrict,
limiting the amount
of blood that
reaches the brain
and thus depriving
the normal amoung
of oxygen.
Hallucinations
Some hallucinations
are pleasant.
 Others are bad trips
or bummers.
 Others may cause
panic attacks.


Another common
reaction is a
flashback,
recurrence of the
trip, which can
happen
unexpectedly during
drug-free times.
LSD
During the 1960s
and 1970s, LSD and
PCP became the
major drug of use.
 1938 the Swiss
scientist Albert
Hofmann, while
searching for a cure
of headaches,
created LSD.

Although it did not
cure headaches, his
researched turned
to that of mental
illness.
 Scientists discovered
that LSD could
cause severe
psychoses

For many years a
drop of liquid was
placed on a sugar
cube, now it
appears in tablet or
soaked into heavy
blotter paper.
 LSD takes effect in
40 minutes to an
hour or more. The
effects continue 12
hours or more.

LSD
In 1960, Harvard
psychologist
Timothy Leary
began to publicize
the attractiveness of
LSD.
 LSD is colorless,
tasteless liquid.

Physical Effects
Physical reactions include dilation of the
pupils, sometimes trembling and
shaking, a rise in blood pressure, and
dry mouth.
 Some experience nausea, aching body,
tingling, and sweating.

LSD
PCP

An anesthetic that blocks nerve
receptors from pain and temperature
without producing numbness.
Moderate doses
cause blurred vision,
slurred speech,
sleepiness, heavy
sweating, and rapid
breathing.
 Higher doses cause
intoxication
accompanied b
mental confusion,
hallucinations, and
trouble speaking.
 Higher doses can
produce serious
mental illness.

PCP
Harmful side effects
include confusion,
delirium, intense
anxiety, and
depression.
 Taken in small doses
it induces feelings of
euphoria.

PCP
One of the most serious consequences
is the loss of inhibitions and ensuring
threat of harm to others.
 PCP can cause extreme, unpredictable
rages.

How users feel
The effects depend
greatly on the dose,
the individual’s
expectations and
personality, and the
setting for the drug
use.
 Some become
convinced that they
have lost their
minds.


Many users report
religious or mystical
imagery and
thoughts; some feel
they are
experiencing
profound insights.
Risks
Someone who already is depressed may
take a hallucinogen to lift his or her
spirits, only to become more depressed.
 Suicide is a real danger.
