
Hallucinogens
LSD, Acid, PCP, Magic Mushrooms, Shrooms, Ketamine, Special k, DMT
Also known as psychedelics, these drugs can change the way a person perceive the world. It affects all the senses, altering thinking, sense of time and emotions.
LSD
Signs and Symptoms
A person tripping on LSD might not necessarily be overly concerned about concealing their behaviour due to the emotional responses evoked by the drug. Typical signs noticeable:
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Dilated pupils
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Salivation or dry mouth
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Weakness
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Negative effects including emotional distress, anxiety, depression, disorientation or paranoia
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Dizziness, nausea, rapid heart rate and convulsions
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Sweating or chills
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Blurred vision
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Inability to perform complex tasks like driving or operating machinery
Methods of Use
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Orally
Adverse Effects
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Sleep problems
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Panic
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Paranoia
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Psychosis
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Disorganized thinking
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Memory loss
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Depression
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Increased heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature
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Loss of appetite
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Excessive sweating
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Numbness
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Nausea
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Speech problems
Overdose Potential
Inexperienced users may not be aware of the late onset of the elicit effects and therefore take repeated doses over a short period which could lead to accidental overdose. Another factor to consider is the unpredictability of the doses. Therefore it is essential to be aware of possible symptoms leading to overdose even if the consensus is that lethal overdose on LSD alone is not possible. LSD may present side effects as mentioned above. But more severe side effects may include the following:
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Extreme anxiety.
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Feelings of lost identity that they are ceasing to exist.
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Panic.
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Paranoia.
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Rapid mood swings.
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Aggression towards others, including homicide.
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Self-mutilation.
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Dying in an accident.
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Committing suicide.
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Features of psychosis that don’t immediately end when the LSD trip is over.
Withdrawal
Due to LSD primarily becoming a psychological dependence, there are not likely to experience physical ailments but rather a strong desire to take LSD because of the emotional discomfort.
The following is most commonly found:
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Flashbacks
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Anxiety
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Confusion
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Depersonalisation
Magic Mushrooms
Signs and Symptoms
Methods of Use
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Orally
Adverse Effects
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Anxiety or depression
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Muscle weakness or twitches
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Coordination problems
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Excessive sweating
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Increased heart rate, blood pressure
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Irregular breathing
Overdose Potential
Withdrawal
Psilocybin mushrooms are very low in toxicity and would therefore require large amounts to be fatal. However, taken in large doses it could cause severe side effects including violent behaviour, suicidal thoughts, psychosis or convulsions. Other factors to consider is mistakenly taking poisonous mushrooms. If extreme nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal cramping is experienced, seek immediate medical attention.
Due to no physiological symptoms of addiction, long-term abusers of mushrooms may experience depression, insomnia or flashbacks. However, little is known about long-term risks. But the lack of known risks does not indicate that it is safe. Some hallucinogens may increase the risk of persistent psychosis.
Ketamine
Although magic mushrooms as considered non-addictive, a psychological dependence may develop. The psychological reactions can be risky, as people will use it as an escape from reality.
Side effects may include the following:
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Flashbacks
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Panic attacks
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Severe depression
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Objects appear to breath
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Emotional swings
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Paranoid delusions
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Psychosis
Signs and Symptoms
Ketamine is primarily used as a party drug and due to its short lasting effect, unless an empty vial is found in the person’s possession, it will be difficult to determine if it is in fact what is being used. But due to the profound psychological dependence, the following might be more noticeable:
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Lack of production
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Lack of enjoyment of life
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Isolation
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Increasing depression
Categorized as a “dissociative anaesthetic”, Ketamine is used as an anaesthetic in animals. It creates a detached, dreamlike state when used. Because of its paralyzing effect, ketamine are also used as a ‘date-rape’ drug.
Methods of Use
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Smoked
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Injected
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Snorted
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Orally
Adverse Effects
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Hallucinations
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Dissociation
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Agitation
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Depression
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Difficulty thinking or learning
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Nausea
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Involuntary muscle movements
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Amnesia
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Increased blood pressure
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Delirium
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Psychosis
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Liver damage
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Severe abdominal cramps
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Long-term bladder and urinary tract problems
Overdose Potential
Death from ketamine poisoning alone is rare but the combination of the loss of consciousness, vomiting and decrease in motor function can cause to choke on their own vomit.
Withdrawal
Ketamine withdrawal is reportedly mainly psychological but some cases have been reported of physical withdrawal. Typical withdrawal symptoms include:
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Loss of appetite
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Fatigue
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Sweating
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Tremors
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Restlessness
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Anxiety and depression
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Nightmares
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Rapid or irregular heartbeat
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Chills
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Cognitive impairment
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Psychosis
Sources:
https://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/signs-symptoms-lsd.html
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/lsd-addiction/side-effects/#gref
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/lsd-addiction/withdrawal-detox/
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/hallucinogens
https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/drugs/mushrooms/
https://drugabuse.com/lsd/overdose/
https://www.projectknow.com/overdose/lsd/
https://oceanbreezerecovery.org/psilocybin/overdose/
https://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/ketamine-signs-symptoms.html
https://drugabuse.com/ketamine/effects-use/
https://www.narconon.org/drug-abuse/ketamine-signs-symptoms.html
https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/prescription/ketamine.html
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/hallucinogens/ketamine/withdrawal-detox/
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/ketamine-abuse
https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/ketamine-addiction/ketamine-overdose/#gref
https://americanaddictioncenters.org/ketamine-abuse/overdose-dangers
https://drugabuse.com/psilocybin-mushrooms/effects-use/