What you need to know about hallucinogens

Have you ever heard that some people see things that aren't there, hear sounds that aren't there? Or that they feel like they're being watched from outside their body? These are not imaginary things. These can be caused by psychotropic drugs, or as we say in English, ``(Hallucinogens)''. These are very dangerous. So today we're going to talk about what these are, what they do to the brain, and the dangers of these.

Simply put, what are these hallucinogens?

Psychotropic drugs are a group of drugs that completely alter a person's consciousness and perception of their surroundings. They are also called ``Psychedelics.'' When used, a person's thoughts and feelings change uncontrollably. Some psychotropic drugs are synthetic, meaning they are made in laboratories. Others are naturally occurring compounds found in certain plants and fungi.

When you use these drugs, you start to see, feel, and hear things that aren't there. We call this ``Hallucinations.'' That is, experiencing images, sounds, and sensations that aren't there in the real world. Some people can't control themselves when they take these, and they feel like they're separated from their bodies and their surroundings.

Although the effects of each of these drugs are different, they all affect your senses, thoughts, and mood. When someone is under the influence of one of these drugs, it is called "tripping." This experience can be good or bad. A good experience is called a "good trip," while a dangerous, frightening experience is called a "bad trip."

Historically, people have used these drugs for hundreds of years in religious ceremonies and for healing certain illnesses. But in recent times, people have become accustomed to using them for recreational purposes. Medically, these drugs are not safe to use at all. However, scientists are now investigating whether they can be used to treat certain mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety, under medical supervision.

How do these drugs affect the brain?

Simply put, psychotropic drugs disrupt the chemical messenger networks in our brains. It's like giving a messenger the wrong message and having him spread it everywhere.

For example, some psychotropic drugs interfere with a chemical in our brain called serotonin. This serotonin is a neurotransmitter that controls many important things in our body. It is a little messenger that carries information back and forth in the brain.

Things that are controlled by serotonin are:

• Our sleep
• Hunger
• Mood
• Body temperature
• Sensory perception

Some other psychotropic drugs affect the neurotransmitter glutamate. Glutamate controls:

• Our emotions
• How pain feels
• Learning and memory
• How we respond to the environment

When these messaging systems are disrupted, the way the brain works changes completely. That's why we see and feel things that aren't real.

Common types of psychotropic drugs

There are several types of these drugs. Let's talk about some of the main ones separately.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

LSD is one of the most powerful mind-altering chemicals in the world. It is made from a chemical called lysergic acid, which is extracted from a fungus that grows on grains such as rye. LSD, or "acid," is a colorless, white substance. It is usually taken by sucking the liquid onto small pieces of paper, such as blotting paper, and placing the pieces of paper ("tabs") under the tongue. It is sometimes available in tablet form.

Under the influence of LSD, a person loses touch with reality. They can have paranormal experiences and see visions. Sometimes even the senses become confused. For example, sounds can be perceived as smells, and colors can be heard as sounds. The effects can last for about 9 to 12 hours.

Although it is said that LSD does not cause addiction, that does not mean that it is not dangerous. With continued use, the body becomes accustomed to it (tolerance). Then, in order to get the same experience as before, the dose used must be increased.

Peyote

Peyote is a small, thornless cactus. The main active ingredient in it is mescaline. It is a natural substance found in this cactus. People break off the pods, dry them, and chew them. Or they soak them in water and drink the water.

It takes about 0.3-0.5 grams of mescaline to produce its psychoactive effects, and its effects last for about 12 hours. Because of its bitter taste, some people boil the cactus for hours and drink it as a tea. There are also synthetic forms of mescaline.

Psilocybin - Magic Mushrooms

Psilocybin is a chemical found in a special type of mushroom that grows in tropical regions of the United States, Mexico, and some South America. These are also called "magic mushrooms" or "'shrooms."

This mushroom can be eaten cooked, boiled, or eaten raw. To eliminate the bitter taste, some people mix it with chocolate and eat it.

Psilocybin can have a wide range of effects. It can range from extreme sensory sensitivity to inability to make good decisions. A "bad trip" can include seeing frightening things, experiencing intense fear, depression, or panic attacks.

PCP (phencyclidine)

Although it is abbreviated as PCP, its full name is phenylcyclohexyl piperidine. It is also called "angel dust". It comes in many forms, including liquid, powder, tablets, and capsules. People swallow it, snort it, inject it, or smoke it.

Surprisingly, in the 1950s, the drug PCP was introduced as an anesthetic, that is, a drug that causes unconsciousness. But its use was completely stopped in 1965 due to its severe side effects.

PCP causes a feeling of being outside of one's body. As the effects wear off, the person becomes very agitated and irrational, with a numb body. In high doses, seizures, coma, and even death can occur.

Ketamine

Ketamine is an anesthetic used during surgery on humans and animals. Most of the ketamine used illegally is stolen from animal hospitals. People snort it as a powder, swallow it as a pill, or inject it as a liquid. Ketamine can also cause a feeling of being outside of your body.

The dangerous side effects of these drugs

Bad side effects from using these psychoactive drugs are very common. This is because they contain many chemicals that affect the mind. These effects depend on the amount used. Let's look at some of the common side effects.

Specific side effects of PCP

PCP is a drug that causes many particularly dangerous side effects.

• At low and medium doses: Breathing rate increases slightly, blood pressure and heart rate increase significantly. Numbness in the limbs, loss of muscle coordination may also occur.
• In high doses: Blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing may suddenly drop. Nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, salivation, loss of balance, and dizziness may occur.

PCP overdose can cause seizures, coma, and death. Most deaths occur while intoxicated, either through accidents or suicide. PCP can also cause intoxication, so if taken with other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, the risk of coma is much higher.

Is there any treatment?

Sometimes people seek treatment because of a "bad trip," because they are at risk of harming themselves.

In such cases, the treatment is supportive. A doctor will place the patient in a quiet room with minimal noise and sensory stimulation. Sometimes, a medication such as a benzodiazepine may be prescribed to control excessive agitation or seizures.

There is no specific treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). However, residential treatment and behavioral treatments can be very helpful for people with these problems.

Can't these be used as medicine?

This is an important question. Recently, psychedelic research has been re-emerging in the mainstream. A number of clinical studies have shown that the chemical psilocybin may be a promising treatment option for some mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety. In addition, some studies have shown that psilocybin may also be effective in treating the following conditions:

• Cluster headaches
• Phantom limb pain
• Chronic pain

However, all of these are still in the research stage. If these are used as medicines, it should only be done under strict medical supervision.

Psychotropic substances, Hallucinogens, Drugs, LSD, Magic Mushrooms, PCP, Drug use, Mental health