The hallucinogens They are substances that produce hallucinations, profound alterations in the perception of reality of those who consume them. This change in the perception of reality is usually accompanied by a change in the state of consciousness, thought and mood. For example: ayahuasca, DXM, psilocybin.
Under the influence of hallucinogens, people may see images, hear sounds, or feel sensations in their bodies through touch that are not actually there.
Form of consumption
The different types of hallucinogensIn general, they are incorporated into the body in different ways that are sometimes modified with the intention of making the effect of the hallucination more lasting and intense.
Some hallucinogens such as DMT, LSD, Ketamine or PCP are commonly consumed in the form of tablets or pills because its unit of action is liquid, while golds such as Ayahuasca, Peyote, Psilocybin or sage are usually consumed in teas or other infusions.
immediate effects
The action of most hallucinogens in the body can start from the 20 minutes after consumed, and in some cases it extends even for hours.
In some cases, such as salvia, the effect is more short and intense, occurring in the body just one minute apart from its consumption and lasting less than half an hour.
The physical effects Short-term symptoms are usually increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiratory rate, as well as nausea or sleep disturbances in some cases.
Consequences of frequent consumption
Although the effects are not the same for all consumers, the recurrent consumption of this type of drug is seriously dangerous, and can bring psychic consequences such as receptive disorders (called flashbacks, in which the user experiences a strange and dangerous visual sensation) as well as persistent psychosis. These disturbances may include fear, paranoia, or extreme stress.
In the case of natural-type hallucinogens, such as psilocybin mushrooms, it is possible that some poisonous-type substance is consumed which can lead to rapid death. In addition, sleep disorders are very common among these users.
Danger and world trade
hallucinogens are highly dangerous, and in many cases its danger is underestimated. Scientific evidence indicates that some can be addictive while others produce tolerance, which means that frequent users must take increasingly higher doses for the effect to occur.
Thus, due to its illegal nature, the drug traffic of this type becomes very recurrent in many countries, among which those of Europe stand out: it is increasingly frequent that arrests are made for trafficking this type of drug, although hallucinogenic drugs are the most difficult to detect by the operations against traffic, due to its characteristics.
Examples of hallucinogens
- Ayahuasca. Tea made from various Amazonian plants. As the drink has a great tradition in the Amazonian indigenous peoples, some recognize in its intake a potentially initiatory value, and there is a certain myth that an experience with this drug facilitates the awareness of certain truths of the world.
- salvia divinorum. Plant from southern Mexico. As it was often used for therapeutic purposes, its treatment is not fully legislated in many countries, although in others such as Chile it is prohibited.
- DMT. A chemical compound that is found in some plants, but can also be synthesized in a laboratory.
- Phencyclidine. General analgesic for surgeries, which is no longer used for these purposes and then appears in other forms.
- Ketamine. Analgesic for surgeries, used as such a drug. The body is induced to a very high amount of anesthetic, which accelerates the loss of consciousness.
- DXM. Cough suppressant, active ingredient of many medications, which is used as a drug because it can produce distortions of the visual field, among others.
- lysergic acid diethylamide. The most consumed drug of this type in the world. A clear or white substance that is made with acid from a fungus that grows on rye.
- Peyote. Small cactus that has mescaline as an ingredient. It also has a therapeutic use, but it is generally used as a tea. Many countries already consider it illegal.
- psilocybin. Present in some North American fungi. It has different effects, and in some cases it is also associated with certain mystical experiences. There are many varieties of mushrooms of this type.