Hallucinogens can cause serious damage to the individual who takes them; in some cases, they can be harmless, but you can never be certain whether or not you will experience a bad trip. Treatment may be required after the use of hallucinogens depending on your symptoms and the severity of your condition.

The Physical Effects of Hallucinogens

Many hallucinogenic drugs can cause rapid heartbeat and elevated blood pressure. The body temperature also rises considerably. These issues may need to be treated at a hospital or clinic if they become severe. Most individuals also experience nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems, but these will usually pass as the drug leaves their system. In very rare cases, a person may experience a seizure, for which they should receive medical attention immediately.

The Psychedelic Effects of Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens can cause intense anxiety, delusions, and depression.

Usually, the serious issues caused by hallucinogens are psychological. A person could have a bad trip, which, according to the Center for Substance Abuse Research, can cause

• Intense anxiety
• Panic
• Delusions
• Paranoia
• Rapid mood swings
• Depression
• Disassociation and identity loss
• The fear of disintegrating into nothingness

Sometimes, a bad trip can be weathered by staying in a dark, quiet room, listening to soothing music, and reminding one’s self over and over that the effects of the drug will soon wear off and everything will go back to normal. However, sometimes a person on hallucinogens cannot be reasoned with or their psychological state can be so severe that they will require treatment immediately.

“The frightening and disorienting effects of a bad trip are known to result in violent or hazardous behavior, leading to accidental fatalities homicides, self-mutilation, or suicide.” Therefore, if you see someone on hallucinogens who is unable to gain back their grip on reality and is seriously in danger of harming themselves or others, call 911 immediately, as it is not safe to approach them yourself.

The Long-term Effects of Hallucinogens

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Overall, two long-term effects––persistent psychosis and HPPD––have been associated with the use of classic hallucinogens.” These issues are not always caused by long-term use and may occur in some instances after just one abuse of the drug. Unfortunately, there is no cure for either disorder, but they can be treated with traditional therapy and time.

When a person abuses hallucinogens, there is always a chance that flashbacks and other serious issues associated with the drugs can occur, so it is important to understand the possibility of needing treatment after frequent, long-term hallucinogen abuse.

Dangers of Some Hallucinogens

Some drugs in this class can be much more dangerous than others and may sometimes require immediate treatment. For example, PCP can cause convulsions and coma as well as bizarre behavior that can be extremely dangerous to the user. An individual must be careful with their use of any hallucinogen, but some are extremely dangerous will often require treatment right away.

Types of Treatment for Hallucinogens Abuse and Addiction

Do You Want to Learn More about Hallucinogens?

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