Hallucinogenic drugs can create severe side effects, behavioral and physical issues, and even serious addiction syndromes in some cases. If you have been abusing one or more hallucinogens and are concerned about your health, call 800-411-9312 (Who Answers?) today to find the right treatment program for your needs.

What Are the Most Commonly Abused Hallucinogens?

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, “Hallucinogens are found in plants and fungi or are synthetically produced and are among the oldest known group of drugs used for their ability to alter human perception and mood.” Hallucinogen examples include:

Ayahuasca

• Ayahuasca is a tea that contains DMT, a mind-altering drug. The tea is made from Amazonian plants and can cause intense hallucinations.
• Severe vomiting is another of the drug’s common side effects, which is caused by the tea its bothersome effects on the stomach. Users are normally prepared for this issue, however, and choose to use the drug anyway for its mind-altering effects that often create a feeling of undergoing a mystical or spiritual experience.
• “Ayahuasca is also known as Hoasca, Aya, and Yage” (National Institute on Drug Abuse).

DMT

• DMT is often abused on its own instead of merely within the use of ayahuasca. It can be found naturally in certain Amazonian plants or created synthetically in a lab.
• DMT is usually abused as a white or yellow crystalline powder and is smoked or injected (NIDA).
• While the drug does cause intense visual hallucinations and depersonalization, the effects usually only last for about 30 or 45 minutes. However, seizures are a possible side effect of DMT abuse.

DXM

Hallucinogenic drugs can cause long term mood disturbances.

• DXM is a cough suppressant. It is often found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. Sometimes, individuals abuse these to experience intense, dissociative effects.
• Severe respiratory depression can occur as the result of abusing DXM, especially if one abuses the drug while drinking.

Ketamine

• Ketamine is another dissociative drug. It is commonly used as a surgery anesthetic. Sometimes, people steal ketamine from veterinary offices where it is often used to treat animals.
• It can cause dissociative effects in the short-term, as well as confusion, problems moving, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression. Depression, kidney problems, and ulcers are common with regular abuse.

LSD

• LSD is usually taken as a tablet or added as a liquid to a small square of paper, which the individual then absorbs through the mouth.
• LSD causes intense psychological effects, as well as some mild physical effects, but serious visual disturbances, flashbacks, and mood swings can occur as long-term effects.

MDMA

• Also known as ecstasy, MDMA has both stimulant and hallucinogenic properties.
• It often makes people feel empathetic and happy, but it can also cause severe dehydration and heat exhaustion.

PCP

• PCP is a dangerous hallucinogen. Unlike most other drugs in this category, it can cause addiction.
• Sometimes, users are given PCP without realizing it, as it can be sprinkled on marijuana or put into a pill without the user’s knowledge.
• The higher the dose, the more frightening the effects of PCP become. A person can possibly die of PCP overdose or the intense behavioral effects caused by the drug.

Peyote

• Peyote is a small cactus, and mescaline is the mind-altering ingredient found inside it. Some individuals use the drug in religious ceremonies.
• The short-term effects of abusing peyote are similar to LSD and other hallucinogens, but the long-term effects are largely unknown.

Psilocybin

• Psilocybin is the main ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms.
• These can be dangerous not only because of their hallucinogenic effects but because many individuals eat other, poisonous mushrooms, thinking they are psilocybin mushrooms.

Salvia

• Salvia is a plant common to Mexico and Central America that causes mild hallucinogenic effects.
• Currently, salvia is not a controlled substance under the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Avoiding––and Treating––Hallucinogen Abuse

Understanding which drugs constitute as hallucinogen examples can be helpful, as it is important to avoid abusing these drugs. Even hallucinogens that do not cause addiction can be dangerous, as they can create side effects so intense that a person may not realize the risky actions they are performing while high.

If you have been abusing hallucinogens and believe you need help in order to stop, call 800-411-9312 (Who Answers?) now. It is never to late to put an end to dangerous substance abuse, and professional treatment can allow you to make this change in your life.