Psychoactive Disorders: LSD, Peyote (PCP)

LSD has many effects on the body and the mind for example “An hour later Stanley thought he had gone insane. His head was filled with terrifying visions and his body seemed to tumble through time and space. Then his mind snapped and sent him into a frenzy of rage. "They told me the next day that I broke down the door and ran down the hall screaming," Stanley recalled” (Linda Hunt).

Peyote was originally described in 1560, however it was not until the middle of the nineteenth century that botanists were able to conduct field research and correctly classify the cactus (Anderson, 1980). Field studies have concluded that there are two distinct populations of peyote which represent two species. The first and most common, Lophophora williamsii extends from southern Texas reaching south to the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The second and least common of the two species is Lophophora difusa, which occurs in the dryer terrain of the Mexican state of Queretaro. This species differs from the more common species by, "being yellowish-green rather than blue green in color, by lacking any

Hallucinogens cannot be taken in moderation, and since a tolerance is developed during extended use, it is hard to judge how much LSD, mushroom, pescaline, or N-Bomb is necessary to get high. Effects of an overdose

which is a fungus that grows on grains. In its original form, LSD is a

Peyote is a cactus, and the most common species is known as Lophophora williamsii. This

Throughout history a multitude of human populations have been using and abusing a number of psychoactive drugs. These drugs can include very common substances such as caffeine to the more deadly but arguably just as addictive heroine. Further on the list of psychoactive drugs include those of the psychedelic variety. These would include the chemicals such as d-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), peyote and psilocybin among others. All of which have hallucinogenic properties that tend to blur the line between fantasy and reality. How dangerous are these chemicals, and what are the consequences of sustained long term use? Due to the controversial nature of the use of psychedelic drugs in a medical setting, the study of short and long term effects

For a majority of human civilization, hallucinogenic substances have been taken spiritually and for medicinal purposes; in fact, they have been considered a social norm far longer than any law made to inhibit it. D-lysergic acid diethylamide is a naturally found compound within the Ergot fungus which grows on Rye and other grains, aiding the fact that it is a organically occurring substance (“LSD” Teen Health). Hallucinogens cause altered states of reality for the user and often change the perception of the world, including things such as time, distance, and the visual world. For this reason they have been used therapeutically for thousands of years to cure things such as anxiety, depression, and to unlock emotional tension deep within you.

LSD’s mind-altering properties were discovered in 1943 by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, when he accidentally ingested a small dose and “thought

A Swiss chemist named Dr. Albert Hoffman first produced lysergic acid Diethylmide –or best known as LSD in 1938 (Dye, 1992, p. 2). Hoffman discovered the drug while trying to synthesize a new drug for the treatment of headaches. He obtained the lysergic acid from the parasitic fungus that grows on rye plants known as ergot. From the lysergic acid, he synthesized the compound LSD. He used the compound to test for its pain killing properties on laboratory animals. Being that appeared totally ineffective, the bottle of LSD was placed on a shelf and remained untouched for five years.

Hallucinogens are drugs that produce hallucinations which produce distortions in a person’s perception of reality. Although, hallucinogens do pose a danger to both our body and mind there is a positive side to hallucinogens for therapeutic uses. The focus will be on three hallucinogens which are LSD, Psilocybin and Ibogaine therapy for their effectiveness for therapeutic uses for addictions to alcohol, smoking cessations etc.

After the sessions, participants would fill out questionnaires and inventories regarding their feelings of anxiety and depression as well as in the preceding weeks. From this Gasser was able to analyze the statistics derived from the data, which had quite significant results, especially in the Spielberger-State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). This test reported a decrease in mean anxiety from 11.7 to 8.1 in the experimental group. However, the placebo group only decreased from 11.3 to 10.7. They also used the SCL-90-R, a test regarding psychological problems and psychopathology which determined that the control group’s scores decreased from a 69.6 to 60.2 versus the placebo group which actually increased from 66.0 to 67.7 Gasser continued to follow up with the patient’s twelve months after the experiment in which the majority of the experimental group reported an “increase in life and ability to confront emotions,” showing that LSD’s long term residual effects can be positive.(Gasser)

Hallucinogen is a title commonly given to drugs that are mind-altering. This category of drug includes those which cause a variety of side-effects, most commonly temporary distortions to one’s view of reality. Hallucinogens are commonly used for recreation, along with in some cultures as religious practices (“What Is A Hallucinogen?”).

MDMA (Ecstasy or "Molly") produces both stimulant and mind-altering effects. It can increase body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and heart-wall stress. MDMA may also be toxic to nerve cells.

For thousands of years people have spoke of all types of visions. Whether the visions were from religious groups, Indian tribes, or self proclaimed prophets; all types of people have seen things. This was more than likely occurring with the help of different types of hallucinogens. Hallucinogens have been around since the beginning of time. Some mushrooms, cactus flowers, and even different types of mold are all able to produce hallucinogenic effects. However, it was only within the last century that man actually started to produce his own. LSD, or lysergic acid diethylamide-25, is a relatively new substance in society. All known effects show LSD, or acid, as the harmful drug most people know it as. There are people who believe

hallucinations and also various changes that occur in our brain during hallucinations and is finally