H

hallucinogens Psychoactive substances that alter
the BRAIN’s perceptions of sensory experiences.
Auditory and visual HALLUCINATION, time disorien-
tation, and altered depth perception are common
with hallucinogen abuse. However, not all people
who take hallucinogens experience hallucinations.
Researchers do not know the precise mechanisms
of hallucinogens though believe many of them
affect the presence of serotonin, a NEUROTRANSMIT-
TERin the brain. Most hallucinogens are illicit sub-
stances; many come from natural sources such as
mushrooms and cacti and others are synthesized
(created in clandestine laboratories using chemi-
cals). In the United States hallucinogens are
SCHEDULED DRUGS; most are schedule 1 drugs
because there are no therapeutic applications for
their use and they have such high abuse potential.
Short-term, adverse health consequences of
hallucinogen use include distortions of reality that
may lead to irrational decisions and actions. Rapid
mood swings and corresponding changes in
behavior are common. The effective action of
some hallucinogens may be 10 hours or longer.
Long-term, adverse health consequences of
chronic hallucinogen use include possible neuro-
toxicity and death of brain neurons. Some people
experience flashbacks—hallucinatory experiences
that repeat days, weeks, and sometimes months
after hallucinogen use. Occasionally PSYCHOSIS
develops in a person who uses hallucinogens
extensively. Hallucinogen use does not typically
result in DEPENDENCEthough may result in ADDIC-
TION(desire to take the DRUG).

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)
The original purpose of lysergic acid diethylamide
(LSD), first synthesized in 1938, was as a treat-
ment to prevent seizures. However, testing did not

bear out this potential. Through incidental inges-

tion, LSD’s developer, Swiss chemist Albert Hof-

mann (b. 1906), discovered the drug’s

hallucinogenic capabilities. Because the effects of

taking LSD could be remarkably similar to the

some types of SCHIZOPHRENIA, researchers subse-

quently used LSD in clinical research as an effort

to better understand this psychiatric disorder.

However, LSD proved unable to provide the

insights researchers hoped it would. In the 1960s

LSD became popular as an illicit hallucinogen.

LSD is a very potent hallucinogen that can

remain active in the body up to 12 hours. High

doses often generate unpleasant or frightening

experiences and tend to produce flashbacks for

two to three days after its use. Common initial

effects include rapid HEART RATE, NAUSEA, low body

temperature, and diaphoresis (cold sweat). Hallu-

cinations begin about an hour after ingestion and

may result in bizarre behavior as the person reacts

to distorted sensory perceptions. Some people

experience intense anxiety and DEPRESSION after

the effect of the LSD wears off.

Natural Hallucinogens

Natural sources of hallucinogenic substances are

abundant and include plants such as cacti, which

contain mescaline, and numerous types of mush-

rooms, which contain tryptamines such as psilocy-

bin. Some natural hallucinogenic substances are

potentially lethal even in small doses. Tryptamine-

containing mushrooms grow abundantly in hot,

moist environments around the world, including

in the United States. The peyote cactus

(Lophophora williamsii) grows abundantly in the

southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

The peyote’s crowns contain high concentrations

of mescaline. The most common methods of

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