Hallucinogens or Humans—Which Control?

Some young people experiment with hallucinogens briefly, then leave them alone. Others use them occasionally—a dose or two a month—to fit in with a circle of friends, but they feel no particular need for them. Too often, though, “casual” use leads to regular use and heavy use.

The tricky aspect of hallucinogen use is the substances' unpredictability. The amount of dosage is only one factor. A user's body chemistry, personality, and frame of mind can have much to do with how the trip turns out. Two friends consuming the same dosage of the same substance in the same scenario may have very different experiences.

Unlike many abused drugs, most hallucinogens are not addictive. If a user decides to quit, there are generally no withdrawal symptoms. However, a person who takes them regularly builds up a body tolerance. That is, the body learns to accept and cope with them. Over time, taking the same dosage of a hallucinogen affects the person less profoundly. To achieve the same level of high, the user must take greater dosages. If taken too frequently and too heavily, hallucinogens can damage your health in various ways.

Hallucinogens typically increase the user's pulse and blood pressure. Some types markedly raise the body temperature and cause abnormal sweating, chills, and rapid breathing. Ketamine, which is an anesthetic as well as a hallucinogen, can also deaden the senses and make the user feel drunk and out of control.

When the high is over, the landing can be hard. Ill effects might include nausea and vomiting, headaches, trembling, chills and sweats, blurred vision, numbness, and dizziness. The person may be left jittery, anxious, sleepless, confused, and depressed. Appetite loss is not uncommon. Feelings of paranoia and depression can linger for weeks after use. Flashbacks—reliving the experience—can occur for weeks and months.

Such negative effects can be devastating to a young person's schoolwork or an adult's career. The individual may spend hours and days under the influence, literally out of touch with reality. Important school assignments, tasks, and basic personal hygiene may be neglected.

Major and long-term damage to the body is not as obvious with hallucinogen abuse as it is with the abuse of other dangerous substances. Users do not die from LSD overdoses, for example, but some have become so mentally lost and distraught that they have attempted suicide. Studies have indicated that ecstasy overuse can destroy brain cells that affect memory and emotional states. Ecstasy has been cited as a cause of some heart attack deaths and of liver and kidney problems. One study has shown that many regular ecstasy users have damaged their teeth by constant grinding, a side effect caused by the substance.

PCP, which is addictive, was introduced to the drug scene as an alternative to such hallucinogens as LSD and mescaline. PCP users sometimes turn violent as they experience horrifying hallucinations. They may become suicidal or try to hurt other people. PCP also causes the central nervous system to slow down. Heavy doses can result in convulsions, send the user into a coma, and even cause death. Pregnant women who use PCP may permanently damage the bodies and brains of their unborn children.

The overuse of hallucinogens during the teen years and later may contribute to a worsened quality of life. Most health professionals and scientists agree that hallucinogens are best avoided.