Understanding Psychedelic Drugs
Psychedelic drugs are also known as hallucinogens drugs. These drugs are psychoactive drugs that are used to alter sensory perceptions, energy levels, thought processes and it facilitates spiritual experiences. Psychedelics also change perception, mood, and cognitive processes. People can hear and see things that do not exist by taking psychedelic drugs.
Few psychedelic drugs are thought to be used as a disabled filter that helps to block and suppress signals related to everyday functions coming out from the conscious mind. The signals originated from several functions of the brain which aren’t limited to memories or emotions but also the unconscious or subconscious mind.
[Image will be uploaded soon]
The effects of these drugs can expand the mind which is aware of the conscious mind which is normally inaccessible.
Define Psychedelic
Psychedelic meaning is to produce hallucinogen effects that cause effects on someone’s mind, such as an unwanted strong urge of sound, taste, touch, etc. Psychedelic meaning can be understood by the effects of psychedelic drugs which causes new altered perceptions or visions including sensory experiences as it is common with the uses of hallucinogenic drugs.
Types of Psychedelic Drugs
There are various types of psychedelic drugs based on different pharmacological profiles with strong effects on consciousness. Few occur naturally or in trees or vines, seeds, fungi, and leaves, or some are made in laboratories.
The commonly used examples of psychedelic drugs are:
LSD: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a mood-changing drug. It is produced from lysergic acid which is found on ergot of fungus that grows on rye and many other drugs. LSD is sold as small tablets, capsules, or gelatin squares. The effect of LSD drugs typically lasts for 12 hours.
Ayahuasca: Ayahuasca is found in the Amazon region. It is a psychoactive tea. It is made by the leaves of Psychotria virdis plants and stalks from the Banisteriopsis Cappi vine. These show the effect of fear, hallucinations, feeling of euphoria, paranoia, gastrointestinal symptoms, etc. Ayahuasca has a few traditional uses and is used in various ceremonies where they have one or two drinks of Ayahuasca.
[Image will be uploaded soon]
NBOMes: N-methoxybenzyl (NBOMes) is a synthetic psychedelic. It changes the perception of people to see the world. It affects the senses by changing their thought processes, sense of time, and emotions.
Psilocybin: Psilocybin is also known as magic mushrooms which grow naturally and are used for their hallucinogenic properties. Magic mushrooms can be eaten fresh, cooked, or as tea. It shows stomach discomfort, headaches, change in mood, etc.
[Image will be uploaded soon]
How are Psychedelics Used?
Psychedelics have been part of many people’s lives since ancient times due to various traditions and cultures. Magic mushrooms, LSD, Mescaline, etc. are used by swallowing or by smoking or inhaling. While the mushrooms are eaten fresh or cooked or into tea. They are also mixed in tobacco or cannabis and then they are smoked. Mescaline psychedelic drugs are mostly swallowed while NBOMe is inactive when they are swallowed, so they should be taken under the tongue, held in the cheek, or snorted. The peyote buttons are grounded into powder and smoked with cannabis and tobacco.
Mostly, the people who use these drugs don’t take them daily. They take them occasionally which are weeks or months apart.
Effects of Psychedelics
Every drug has few risks. No drug is safe to use. It is important to stay careful while using these types of drugs. The effects vary from person to person. Some people get their size, weight and health affected or some affect their strength.
The effects of these drugs can stay up to several hours and can vary depending on the type of psychedelic drug.
Few people can have the feeling of euphoria or feeling of relaxation. Some may see or hear things that don’t exist, some have concentrating troubles or confusion or some have the feeling of dizziness. Many people have fast or irregular heartbeats after consuming these drugs or may feel numbness or can have blurred vision.
Usage of Psychedelics with Other Drugs
The effects of mixing with other drugs are mostly unpredictable. Mixing psychedelics with stimulant types of drugs can increase the effects of the stimulant and can also be the reason for the increase in heart rate. They usually keep the body under extreme stress. Stimulants also tend to increase the level of anxiety which may lead to negative experiences. If psychedelics are combined with depressant drugs like alcohol they can reduce coordination and may increase the chances of vomiting. Alcohol can also decrease the effects of psychedelics.
The strength of the psychedelic drug is impossible to predict as well as their effects as they vary from person to person. People having mental health issues or a family history of having these conditions should prevent usage of these drugs.
Dependence and Tolerance of Psychedelic
These drugs form tolerance rapidly and form psychological dependency in few people. Physical dependence is not supported by any means of evidence nor do they have withdrawal symptoms even after chronic usage.
FAQs on Psychedelic Drug
1. What are psychedelic drugs and how do they primarily affect the brain?
Psychedelic drugs, a sub-class of hallucinogens, are substances that cause profound alterations in perception, mood, and various cognitive processes. Their primary mechanism of action involves interacting with the brain's serotonin system. They mainly bind to and stimulate specific serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptors, which are believed to be responsible for their signature 'mind-manifesting' effects on consciousness and perception.
2. What are some common examples of psychedelic drugs from both natural and synthetic sources?
Psychedelic drugs can be derived from natural sources or synthesised in a laboratory. Some of the most well-known examples include:
- LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide): A potent, well-known synthetic psychedelic.
- Psilocybin: The naturally occurring psychoactive compound found in certain species of mushrooms, often called 'magic mushrooms'.
- Mescaline: A naturally occurring psychedelic found in the Peyote cactus.
- DMT (Dimethyltryptamine): A natural substance found in certain plants, and a key ingredient in the South American ceremonial brew, Ayahuasca.
3. What are the potential short-term and long-term harmful effects of using psychedelic drugs?
The use of psychedelic drugs carries significant risks and potential harmful effects. In the short-term, users may experience paranoia, intense fear, anxiety, increased heart rate, and impaired judgement, which can lead to accidents or risky behaviour. For long-term effects, some individuals may develop Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which involves recurring 'flashbacks' of the drug's perceptual distortions. There is also a risk of triggering or worsening underlying psychological conditions like schizophrenia or psychosis.
4. Are there any recognised therapeutic uses for psychedelic drugs in medicine?
Yes, there is a growing field of research exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs under strict medical supervision. This practice, known as psychedelic-assisted therapy, has shown promise in clinical trials for treating conditions that are often resistant to other treatments. These include severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction. It's crucial to understand that this is done in a controlled, clinical setting and is very different from recreational use.
5. How do psychedelic drugs fundamentally differ from other drug classes like opioids or stimulants?
Psychedelic drugs differ from other drug classes primarily in their mechanism of action and effects. While psychedelics mainly target the serotonin system to alter perception and thought patterns, other drugs work differently. Opioids (like heroin or morphine) act on opioid receptors to block pain and cause euphoria, carrying a high risk of physical dependence. Stimulants (like cocaine or amphetamines) primarily increase dopamine and norepinephrine levels, leading to heightened energy and alertness.
6. Why is the concept of 'set and setting' considered so important for the effects of psychedelic drugs?
The concept of 'set and setting' is crucial because psychedelic drugs are powerful amplifiers of one's internal and external environment. 'Set' refers to the individual's mindset, including their mood, expectations, and psychological state. 'Setting' refers to the physical and social environment where the drug is consumed. A negative mindset (e.g., anxiety, fear) or a chaotic setting can lead to a distressing and frightening experience, often called a 'bad trip'. Conversely, a calm, supportive setting and a positive mindset are believed to facilitate a more manageable and potentially insightful experience.
7. Is there a scientific distinction between a 'psychedelic' and a 'hallucinogen'?
Yes, there is a key distinction. Hallucinogen is a broad term for any drug that causes hallucinations or significant distortions in one's perception of reality. Psychedelic is a specific sub-category of hallucinogens. All psychedelics are hallucinogens, but not all hallucinogens are considered psychedelic. The term 'psychedelic' is typically reserved for substances like LSD and psilocybin that primarily act on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and are known for producing profound, often introspective or 'mind-manifesting', changes in consciousness. Other types of hallucinogens, like dissociatives (e.g., Ketamine) or deliriants (e.g., Datura), have different mechanisms and produce different kinds of perceptual experiences.
8. Which psychedelic substances mentioned in the CBSE syllabus are derived from plants and fungi?
As per the scope of the CBSE syllabus on drug and alcohol abuse, several hallucinogenic substances have natural origins in plants and fungi. For example, Psilocybin is obtained from mushrooms of the genus Psilocybe. Other hallucinogens with plant origins include cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa and cocaine from the coca plant, Erythroxylum coca. While not all of these are classic psychedelics, they are important examples of naturally derived psychoactive substances.
