We will only describe two drugs under the hallucinogens category on this page, LSD and mushrooms, although Ecstasy is also a hallucinogen which we will discuss under "Club Drugs" because of its popularity at rave parties. Street Names: Acid, Doses, Hits, Microdot, Sugar cubes, Tabs, Trips, Blotter, Dots, Deeda, Domes, Mellow Yellows, Pearly Gates, Cupcakes, Blue Mist, Chocolate Chips. Know the Facts LSD is the most commonly used hallucinogen and is one of the most potent mood-changing chemicals. It is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. LSD is ingested orally and usually found on "blotter" paper (paper that is perforated into small squares). The squares or "tabs" may be colored or have images printed on them. Liquid LSD is clear, usually in a small container, tube, or flask; it can be injected. LSD can also appear in a powder substance which can be smoked or snorted. LSD can also be found in thin squares of gelatin or sugar pills or cubes. The nasty taste of some hallucinogens require mixing with other substances to counteract its taste. Immediate Effects: The effects of LSD can be unpredictable. The effects depend on the amount taken, the user's personality, mood, and expectations, and the surroundings in which the drug is used. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Sensations and feelings change much more dramatically than the physical signs. It alters time and space perception, changes feelings of self awareness, changes one's sense of body image, and increases sensitivity to textures, shapes, sound, and taste. In addition, this drug brings visions of luminescence, flashes of light, and kaleidoscopic patterns and landscapes. The changes in which these visions take place can be frightening and can cause panic, because in a blink of an eye one can have what they call a "bummer trip." A "bummer trip" can be described as losing control over the initial effects of the drug and experiencing existing neuroses or character disorders, producing paranoia, anxiety, and severe panic. Some users cannot handle these perceptual changes or reactions and the hallucinations can lead to accidents such as jumping from a roof or window or walking through a glass panel. In some cases the hallucinations can be so frightening that the user can commit acts of self-mutilation or suicide to rid himself of the terrifying visions. Long-Term Effects: Some LSD users experience flashbacks, which occur within a year or less from the previous use of the drug. A flashback can occur suddenly and often without warning, which can lead to accidents, especially if driving a vehicle. Most users of LSD voluntarily decrease or stop its use over time because the user needs recuperative time to get back to normal functioning. "Bummer" Trips are often the cause of accidents among users who may jump from windows, hang themselves, or mutilate their bodies to rid themselves of imaginary insects or maggots. Source of photos related to Hallucinogens are unknow, please contact me for credit at ferraroart@msn.com Strreet Names for Mushrooms: Caps, Magic mushrooms, Mushrooms, Psilocybin & Psilocyn, Shrooms. Know the Facts: Psilocybin and psilocin are the hallucinogenic chemicals contained in certain mushrooms. These mushrooms are generally grown in Mexico and Central America and have been used in native rituals for thousands of years. Psilocybin is structurally similar to serotonin, and produces its effects by disrupting normal functioning of the serotonin system. Dried mushrooms can be eaten or brewed and consumed as tea. Immediate Effects: Mushrooms generally cause feelings of nausea before the desired mental effects appear. The high from using mushrooms is mild and may cause altered feelings and distorted perceptions of touch, sight, sound, and taste. Other effects can include nervousness and paranoia. The effects depend on the amount ingested, mood, expectations, and the surroundings in which the drug was taken. During some trips, users experience sensations that are enjoyable, yet they can also include terrifying thoughts, anxiety, fears of insanity, death, or losing control. Long-Term Effects Some mushroom users experience "flashbacks," or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, which are reoccurrences of hallucinations long after ingesting the drug. Please visit our Memorial Wall for those who died from Drugs. References: U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and NIDA - National Institute on Drug Abuse Get the real facts about INHALANTS HOME | ABOUT P.E.D.A. | SPONSORS | LINKS | FOR TEENS | GET HELP | TAKE ACTION | MEET THE "HOOD" | INTERACTIVE | CONTACT