The Effects of Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens are drugs that cause a distortion of reality and time, one Hallucinogen such being LSD. People who take Hallucinogens may experience several emotions at a time or swing from one emotion to another.
Hallucinogens structurally resemble serotonin in the brain stem section of the brain. Because of their resemblance to the neurotransmitter serotonin, they act upon serotonin neurons. Serotonins are for regulating moods, appetite, muscle control, sleep, and sensory perception. Since these drugs mimic actual serotonin neurotransmitters, they bind to protein receptors, causing more serotonin to be released into the synaptic cleft. Thus, the effect of serotonin in the brain is amplified. Hallucinogens can also inhibit the rapid firing of a neuron, which slows down signal transmission and greatly affects not only the brain, but the rest of the body, as well.
The short term and long term effects of hallucinogens are:
Short Term
Hallucinogens structurally resemble serotonin in the brain stem section of the brain. Because of their resemblance to the neurotransmitter serotonin, they act upon serotonin neurons. Serotonins are for regulating moods, appetite, muscle control, sleep, and sensory perception. Since these drugs mimic actual serotonin neurotransmitters, they bind to protein receptors, causing more serotonin to be released into the synaptic cleft. Thus, the effect of serotonin in the brain is amplified. Hallucinogens can also inhibit the rapid firing of a neuron, which slows down signal transmission and greatly affects not only the brain, but the rest of the body, as well.
The short term and long term effects of hallucinogens are:
Short Term
- Increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Heart failure
- Abnormal, rapid breathing
- Lung failure
- Changed emotional feelings
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Suspiciousness
- Mixed-up speech
- Loss of muscle control
- Meaningless movements
- Irrational actions
- Violent behavior
- Distorted reality
- Aggressiveness
- Distorted sense of time and space
- Sense of relaxation and well-being
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Chills and flushing
- Shaking
- Poor coordination
- Distorted body image, feeling of floating or out-of-body experiences
- Dilated eyes
- Seeing things that aren't really there
- Unpredictable trips, which can be pleasant or a nightmare, causing panic
Long Term- Flashbacks weeks, months, or even years after the drug use
- Flashbacks may be set off by using other drugs or by physical exercise
- Flashbacks may be pleasant or a living nightmare
- Most flashbacks last a very short time, only a minute or two
- Decreased motivation
- Prolonged depression
- Increased panic
- Impaired memory and concentration
- Possible severe mental disturbances
- Psychosis
- Increased delusions
- Bad trips may last hours, weeks, and even months
- Death