Hallucinogens

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Hallucinogens

• LSD, Mescaline, Inhalants

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Hallucinogens

• Mixed Class of Drugs with many variations.
• Common Feature is the effect of sensory
  distortion or manifestation.
  (Hallucination / Delusion)
• All Activate S2 Receptors throughout Cortex of
  Brain (Current Function Uncertain)
• Although other effects are possible, disruptions
  in cerebral cortex produce hallucinogenic
  properties.

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Hallucinogens

• Major Categories are based upon the
  neurotransmitters and receptors they resemble
• Serotonin LSD, Mushrooms
• Norepinephrine Mescaline, DOM
• Acetylcholine Atropine, Scopolamine

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LSD

• Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25)
• Synthetic Derivative of Moldy Ryes or Grains
• Called Ergot (Salem)
• LSD is Odorless, Tasteless, Colorless
• Forms of Use Clear Liquid, Microdots, Gelatin
  Chips, Blotters (Absorption to Paper)

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Ergot Fungus Examples
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LSD Blotter Collage
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LSD Dosing

• Doses
• Effective Dose is appx. 10 micrograms
• Typical Street Dose 50 150 micrograms
• Lethal Dose 300-600 times effective dose
• No known (confirmed) LSD Overdoses
• Comparison 1 Aspirin 300,000 micrograms

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Categories of Effects

• Physiological
• Increases Blood Pressure / Heart Rate
• Dizziness, Loss of Appetite
• Dry mouth, sweating, nausea, numbness, Tremors
• Emotional Effects
• Rapid Shifts of Emotions (Fear to Euphoria)
• Mixing / simultaneous emotions.
• Sensory Effects
• Intensified colors, sounds, smells, etc

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LSD Course of Effects

• Phase 1 Onset (45-60 minutes)
• Slight Sympathetic System Response
• Phase 2 Psychedelic Trips (3-5 hours)
• Images Appear w/ Closed eyes
• Synesthesia (Sound Waves, Hearing Colors)
• Multilevel Reality (molecules)
• Exaggerated Appearances

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LSD Course of Effects

• Phase 3 (Hours 5 12)
• Emotional Swings are greatly exaggerated
• Timelessness
• Ego Disintergration
• Good Trips / Bad Trips / Expectations and
  Environment play role in trip.
• May have an unpredictable/uncontrollable effect.

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LSD Microdots Gel Chips
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LSD Liquid Gel-tabs
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LSD Chronic Effects

• Dependence Unlikely to Develop
• Fast tolerance develops / cant maintain high
  for extended periods of time
• Physical / mental effort is exhausting
• Effects are unpredictable, uncontollable
• Flashbacks
• One time and frequent users may experience either
  pleasant of unpleasant flashbacks up to several
  years after last use.

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LSA Morning Glory
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LSD Neurotransmitters

• Structurally resembles Serotonin
• Activates specialized receptors called S2
• S2 receptors are common to all hallucinogens,
  regardless of chemical structures
• Receptors are located throughout Cerebral Cortex.

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Psilocybin - Mushrooms
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Psilocybin - Processing
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Mescaline

• Derived from many forms of cactus, most
  prominently the Peyote Cactus.
• Processed from sliced, dried segments called
  Buttons
• Effective dose is about 200 mg. Equivalent to
  about 5 buttons.
• Several Variations based upon Acid Used to
  Extract Psychoactive Components.
• Chemical Structure is similar to Norepinephrine
  although acts almost identically to LSD. Probably
  due to S2 receptor activation.

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Peyote Cactus Mescaline
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Differences from LSD

• Studies shown subjects cannot differentiate
  between equivalent doses of Psychoactive
  components of Mescaline and LSD
• Physical Reactions Vomiting, stomach cramps,
  headaches due to ingestion of cactus.
• Hallucinogenic experiences tend to be more
  sensual and less mood swings.

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Acetylcholine Hallucinogens

• Cholinergics Mimic Actylcholine
• (Certain Mushrooms)
• Anticholinergics Block parasympathetic effects
  of Acetylcholine in the body.
• Atropine (Belladonna Plant Deadly Nightshade)
• Hyoscyamine (Mandrake / Henbane)
• Scopolomine (Datura Jimsonweed)

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Belladonna Deadly Nightshade
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Datura Jimsonweed
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Henbane
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Mandrake