Hallucinogen Addiction

Hallucinogenic drugs are often associated with the psychedelic era of the swinging sixties: drugs like cannabis, LSD and magic mushrooms. However, hallucinogens had been used for centuries before they seemingly exploded in the psychedelic ’60s and have continued to be used well into the early twenty-first century.

Hallucinogenic drugs have a complex history – they are associated with the free-spirited, ‘hippy’ decades of the 60s and 70s, but also with psychological warfare such as the CIA’s MK-ULTRA  ‘mind-control’ project. Hallucinogens are playfully linked with iconic artists and writers of the twentieth century since becoming a symbol of creative excellence – but they have also been linked with devastating health effects and complex psychological consequences. Hallucinogens have left their mark on our culture; but they also can leave dangerous physical and mental impressions on those who use them.

What is a Hallucinogen?

Hallucinogens are sometimes also known as hallucinogenic substances or ‘psychedelic and dissociative drugs.’ These names refer to drugs that ‘can temporarily alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and perceptions.’

This can lead to changes in the way that we:

• Taste
• Smell
• Hear
• Feel
• See

things around us. On a very basic level, hallucinogens have the power to change the way that we perceive and interact with the world. For some people, this can lead to a heightening of the senses. This may mean that colours look brighter, we are more receptive to touch, and sounds feel louder and more pleasurable. This sensory-boosting effect is thought to be the primary driver of the use of psychedelics, especially in clubs, bars, festivals, music or other ‘party’ settings.

Alongside this heightening of sensory information, a psychedelic high may also produce hallucinations (hence the term ‘hallucinogen’). A hallucination is when someone perceives something that other people do not. This could look like:

• Seeing something that is not there (known as visual hallucinations)
• Hearing voices or sounds that other people do not (auditory hallucinations)
• Smelling something that is not present (olfactory hallucinations
• Tasting something that you have not eaten (gustatory hallucinations)
• Feeling sensations that have no outside cause (tactile hallucinations)

People using hallucinogens may also note that their emotional state changes. The emotional response experienced can vary widely from a sense of peace and calm to palpable fear. Some individuals find that using hallucinogens provides them with a type of spiritual enlightenment. Others find that it provokes paranoia and panic which can threaten both their physical and mental safety. This is often described as an ‘idiosyncratic reaction.’ This unpredictability makes the use of hallucinogens particularly risky. You may find that one use produces euphoria, whilst another use can feel darker and more uncomfortable.

Whilst reactions to different hallucinogens can be very broad, each type of psychedelic drug is associated with ‘typical’ effects.

Types of Hallucinogens

There are several kinds of hallucinogenic drugs. The most common among them are:

Cannabis is sometimes classified as a hallucinogen. Some researchers use the term ‘psychoactive’ in order to demonstrate the broad nature of cannabis as a potential stimulant, depressant and hallucinogen. Weed provides a ‘stoned’ effect, leaving users feeling happy and relaxed. However, it can also lead to paranoia, nausea and potential hallucinations.

Ecstasy is known as a ‘club drug,’ as it is often used in party settings. It can make people feel very connected to others, reduce inhibitions and cause confusion or anxiety. It has been linked to some instances of psychosis and confusion but can also provoke more positive ‘high energy’ feelings.

LSD (short for lysergic acid diethylamide) is known for its mind-altering effects. A classic psychedelic LSD (acid) can make the world look and feel very different by altering your sensory perception. You may feel euphoric when using LSD, but can also experience very scary ‘bad trips.’

Mescaline is a hallucinogen derived from a type of cactus called the peyote. This drug is often ingested and can cause an ‘altered sense of consciousness’ or dream-like state. Accompanied with hallucinations and sickness, mescaline can have very potent effects.

Psilocybin is the chemical found in specific types of mushrooms found in the wild. These drugs can cause massive sensory distortion and hallucinatory episodes. They can provoke a range of emotional responses, from euphoria to panic. Psilocybin carries an additional risk due to the potential of eating poisonous mushrooms.

What is Hallucinogen addiction?

Hallucinogens are not thought to be physically addictive. This means that they do not necessarily cause withdrawal symptoms with cessation of use like some other addictive substances (such as heroin or methamphetamine). [13] But the high or ‘trip’ provided by hallucinogens can become psychologically addictive; there’s potential for users to become obsessed with the feeling hallucinogens provide, leading them to continue to seek out the drugs again and again.

Whilst hallucinogens are not physically addictive in the traditional sense, a type of dependency can develop. This continued use can increase the dangers of abusing hallucinogens, potentially affecting both physical and mental health in very powerful ways.

The dangers of abusing Hallucinogens

Bad trips

With hallucinogens, it is very difficult to predict the outcome of a high. A psychedelic high is known as a ‘trip.’ Whilst these experiences can feel euphoric or even transcendent for some people, for others, their psychedelic high can be marked by fear: this is known as a bad trip. This can lead to:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Irrational behaviour
• Reduced ability to react responsibly
• Harm to self or others through injury or accident
• Harm to self or others through misguided intention

Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

When using a psychedelic, the expectation is that sensory distortions will cease once the high wears off. With Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) these changes of perception last for much longer, leaving individuals with changes to their perception for months or even years. This can include:

• Visual hallucinations
• Seeing flashes of colour
• Seeing colours as brighter than usual
• Seeing movement in peripheral vision
• Synaesthesia
• Fragmented sight

This disorder can be very uncomfortable and often frightening. Known colloquially as the ‘endless trip,’ HPPD can be debilitating in daily life.

Mental health effects

It can be very difficult to keep yourself safe when under the influence of hallucinogens. This is because our reasoning can be severely compromised. This can put us at short-term risk. However, researchers suggest that using psychedelics when we already feel negative can put us at more severe risk. Repeat use of these drugs can also impact our mental health long-term, leading to:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Memory problems
• Reduced motivation
• Hallucinations
• Psychosis

Addiction to Hallucinogens: How does it happen?

Addiction does not happen overnight. Instead, it accumulates in a kind of cycle. An addiction cycle may look like:

• Initial use
• Craving or preoccupation
• Repeat use

Whilst we may intend only to use a drug once, the way that drugs impact us cannot be predicted. This means that we can become obsessive about a drug even in the absence of a physical addiction. The psychological preoccupation can lead us to seek out the same feeling again – but repeat use comes with increased danger, both in the short and the long term. Ultimately, this repetitive drug-taking can lead to the development of hallucinogen addiction.

Rehab for Hallucinogen addiction

If you are struggling with hallucinogen use, then you may benefit from formal support from a specialist addiction provider such as Oasis Bradford. With a non-judgemental, confidential, sensitive and highly expert care, attending rehab can be a life-changing step. During your time in rehab you may encounter a range of diverse physical and psychological therapies, such as detox, group therapy, 1-1 support and medical support. To find out more about the holistic support offered at Oasis Bradford, contact us today to make your initial enquiry.