Hallucinogenic drugs are substances that cause temporary but profound changes in perception and self-identity. Although LSD is the most recognized hallucinogenic drug in the world, other substances, both natural and synthetic, can also instigate realistic and powerful hallucinations that rival LSD. Most known hallucinogens are illegal in the United States, but increasingly medical researchers are finding benefits for some substances, especially for treating psychological trauma.
LSD
Swiss chemist Albert Hoffmann synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide 25 in 1938 but he did not notice the effects until accidentally absorbing a minuscule portion five years later. While many lysergic acid derivatives are also psychedelic, LSD may be the most potent known hallucinogen because it is active at only 20 micrograms, according to the U.S. Office of Diversion Control. As a tryptamine, LSD essentially alters the brain chemistry by mimicking the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Contrary to popular belief, LSD typically does not cause "true" hallucinations, but rather modulations or effects to the senses known as pseudo-hallucinations. The effects can last 12 hours or longer depending on the amount ingested, and extraordinarily high dosages can result in true hallucinations in which the user actually sees an object or person who is not really there.
Other Tryptamines
Besides LSD, tryptamines include a diverse range of naturally occurring hallucinogens such as DMT, ibogaine, psilocybin and psilocin. While "magic mushrooms" have household recognition, DMT has remained out of the public's view until recently, due to the rising popularity of the DMT-containing psychedelic brew ayahausca, native to South America. The effects of DMT may actually be more powerful than LSD as they can cause "true" or complete hallucinations in the absence of sensory information, in which the user can feel transported to an alternate reality populated by aliens, robots and elves, according to researcher Rick Straussman in his book "DMT: the Spirit Molecule."
Phenylethylamines
Phenylethylamines work by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. This classification of hallucinogens includes mescaline, which is synthesized from the cactus peyote, as well as methamphetamine and many other designer drugs including ecstasy, also known as MDMA; and 4-methoxymethamphetamine, also known as PMMA. Most of these chemicals do not cause true hallucinations, with the exception of strong doses of peyote. Instead these hallucinogens, also called as "empathogens," create feelings of well-being. MDMA has potential in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder, as reported in a 2008 articled published in the "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs."
Plants in the Solanaceae Family
This class of hallucinogens includes the psychedelic plants belladonna and datura, both of which have a long history of use as inebriants. The effects typically include delirium, confusion and sleep as well as hallucinations, making it in likely these substances will ever gain favor as party drugs. The active chemical atropine in these plants can also be deadly poisonous, according to the National Institutes of Health.
References
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Diversion Control: Lysergic acid diethylamide
- European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Addiction: Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
- "Journal of Psychoactive Drugs": MDMA-assisted psychotherapy Using Low Doses in a Small Sample of Women with Chronic Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
- National Institutes of Health: Belladonna
- "DMT: The Spirit Molecule"; by Rick Straussman, 2000
