Information about hallucinogenic drugs

LSD

LSD ('acid', 'tabs') is a Class A drug. Usually bought in the form of 'tabs' of blotting paper which has been soaked in LSD liquid, it is a powerful substance and produces strong and long-lasting effects.

Effects: LSD effects start within 30 minutes to an hour and the 'trip' can last for 8-12 hours. The experience can be very intense. Physical effects include faster heart rate and raised body temperature. Mental effects can depend on the environment and user's expectations of what will happen. Visual distortions (intense colours, swirling effects and things looking like they are moving when they're not) are the most common effect and sometimes distortions in sounds and sense of time. People also say they can experience emotional effects such as the sense of having a profound revelation or increased self-awareness. Unpleasant mental and emotional reactions can include anxiety, depression, dizziness, and a full-blown 'bad trip' can include paranoia and true hallucinations (where the person sees thing that aren't there and believes they are real).

Risks: While physically LSD may not be as dangerous as other 'recreational' drugs (with very few reported deaths ever having resulted from taking it), some of the effects like raised heart rate may cause problems for some people. Psychological effects on the other hand can be overwhelming and a negative experience (a 'bad trip') can be terrifying. Longer-lasting psychological effects are most likely after repeated use.

Minimising the risks: It is always wise to avoid mixing drugs, including alcohol. With hallucinogenics it's a good idea to have a 'trip sitter' - somebody who will remain sober and make sure the people who are tripping stay safe and take care of them if they start having a 'bad trip'. Never drive or try to operate machinery under the influence of drugs.

Magic Mushrooms

There are two main types of magic mushrooms - those in the 'psylocybe' family (which contain psylocybin) such as Liberty Caps which grow in the UK; and those in the 'Amanita' family, such as Fly Agaric mushrooms (these do not contain psylocybin). Magic mushrooms are sometimes eaten fresh, or they may be dried. 'Shrooms' containing psylocybin (in any form) are now illegal to possess in the UK and are a Class A substance.

Effects: The hallucinogenic effects of magic mushrooms are similar to the effects of LSD. They can start after half an hour to 2 hours, and last anything up to 12 hours. Physical effects include raised heart rate and blood pressure; psychological effects can include euphoria and feeling detached or more creative, as well as visual distortions and a distorted sense of time. True hallucinations (seeing things that aren't there) can happen at high doses. Amanita, or Fly Agaric, mushrooms can have slightly different effects such as drowsiness and introspection.

Risks: The main risk with mushrooms is accidental poisoning (and death) as a result of eating the wrong type of mushroom. This risk is especially high with 'Amanita' mushrooms since there are some very poisonous ones which look similar to Fly Agarics. Negative effects from using magic mushrooms include feeling sick, being sick and having a 'bad trip', which can be a very scary experience. There are some, though very few, reports of longer-lasting psychological effects like flashbacks, and shrooms may make existing mental health problems worse.

Minimising the risks: Never eat mushrooms if you are not 100% sure what they are. If you are going to 'trip', make sure the environment is safe and that there is someone who will stay sober to take care of people if anything happens. A bad trip can often be prevented or reversed by some friendly reassurance.

Salvia

Salvia divinorum is a herb that can be chewed fresh, or more commonly dried and smoked, to produce hallucinogenic effects. It is generally sold dried in varying concentraions, from 5x to around 50x - the number indicates the strength. It is legal to possess salvia but not to supply it for human consumption - which is why packaging will often say 'not for human consumption'.

Effects: Depending on how much you take, the effects can range from a mild sense of unreality to full-blown hallucinations. The 'trip' can start very quickly and be very intense, though shorter than with other hallucingenics.

Risks: Most reported harm from salvia has been through people accidentally hurting themselves while under the influence. Because of the intensity of the experience, it is possible to see things that aren't there or, of course, to not see things that are. There are some concerns that salvia could make existing mental health problems worse, and because it is smoked, repeated heavy use could damage the throat and lungs.

Minimising the risks: It is always wise to avoid mixing drugs, including alcohol. With hallucinogenics it's a good idea to have a 'trip sitter' - somebody who will remain sober and make sure the people who are tripping stay safe, and take care of them if they start having a 'bad trip'. Never drive or try to operate machinery under the influence of drugs.

Ketamine

Ketamine ('K', 'Special K') is an anaesthetic (though it is rarely used in hospitals nowadays) with powerful hallucinogenic properties. Some people take it while clubbing, in combination with other drugs like Ecstasy or Cocaine. It can be snorted or swallowed as powder or sometimes injected as a liquid. Kateamine is a Class C drug.

Effects: The effects of ketamine start quickly, especially when snorted, and generally last about an hour though it can be longer. Ketamine is a 'dissociative anaesthetic', which means it can reduce phsyical sensations and give the feeling of the mind or consciousness being separated from the body. In lower doses the effects can be similar to ecstasy - euphoria, energy and wanting to dance. This is often followed by sedation (feeling sleepy). Feeling sick and being sick are common especially at higher doses. Physical effects at higher doses can also include slurred speech, finding it difficult to move and numbness. The hallucinations people experience on ketamine are quite different from other hallucinogens. People report out-of-body or 'near-death' experiences, and experiencing a totally different reality (the 'k-hole') as well as losing their sense of time and believing the trip will last forever.

Risks: The ketamine experience can be very frightening, especially if you did not know what to expect. This can cause anxiety and in extreme cases, panic attacks. Many people report having a bad experience the first time they use ketamine. Because ketamine is an anaesthetic and stops users feeling pain, it's easy for people to hurt themselves without realising. It also means it can slow down breathing and heart rate in high doses, which can lead to unconsciousness. This is especially dangerous if ketamine is combined with other depressants like alcohol, opiates or benzodiazepines. It could possibly even result in death (by choking on vomit). It has recently been discovered that heavy ketamine use over a long time can cause serious damage to the bladder, resulting in possibly serious complications.

Minimising the risks: Like other hallucinogenic drugs, if you are going to take ketamine make sure it is in a safe environment, and that there is someone who can take care of you if you have a bad experience. It is always a good idea not to mix drugs with other substances (in this case especially other 'downers' liks opiates or alcohol). Ketamine can be damaging in large amounts or if taken frequently over a long time. The best thing to do if you are using ketamine is to cut down the amount you use and how often you use it. Never drive or try to operate machinery under the influence of drugs.

Hallucinogenic drugs in general are not considered to have a high risk of physical addiction, though some people may enjoy the psychological effects so much that they take them repeatedly.