Psychedelics Drug Effects, Signs of Abuse, Dangers & Overdose, LSD, Shrooms & Peyote

Psychedelics or psychedelic drugs are a subclass of a broader class of drugs commonly referred to as hallucinogenic drugs. These drugs alter one’s conscious perception and thinking processes (cognition) in such a manner that the individual’s conscious experience of the world is altered in a way different than other drugs alter it.

For instance, central nervous system depressants and central nervous system stimulants simply amplify familiar states of conscious experience, whereas psychedelic drugs alter these in such a manner that they are no longer familiar states, but to many people represent “new” states of consciousness. Most of these drugs are believed to primarily affect the neurotransmitter serotonin, although many have multiple effects.

Hundreds of different compounds are classified as psychedelics or hallucinogens, including well-known drugs like LSD, magic mushrooms, peyote, other various plants, mescaline (also contained in peyote), ketamine (special K), and phencyclidine (PCP). Of course, there are hundreds of other substances in this class, many of which are so new that they are not even on controlled substances lists.

There is a misconception that marijuana and/or cannabis products are hallucinogens; however, these belong to the drug class cannabinoids, which is a class of drugs that does exhibit some hallucinogenic properties but also exhibits properties of stimulants and central nervous system depressants. The hallucinogenic properties of cannabis pale in comparison to the hallucinogenic properties of the drugs discussed in this article.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a drug that even when taken in very small amounts produces very powerful alterations of mood and vivid visual hallucinations. Most often, individuals who take LSD experience euphoria; however, there can be quite a range of symptoms that include extreme wellbeing to feelings of severe anxiety and even of total despair and hopelessness. LSD is typically taken in a tablet or a liquid form that can be taken with certain types of ingestible papers.

The typical doses individuals who use LSD take are very small, between 100 and 200 micromilligrams, and they produce long-lasting effects that can last up to 12 hours. There appear to be no recorded fatalities from overdosing on LSD alone, and reports in the literature of LSD overdoses often include the use of LSD with other potentially dangerous drugs. Case studies reporting the reactions of individuals from very high doses of LSD indicate that no significant long-term effects occurred in these people.

There remains to be no significant documented physical effects from long-term use of LSD. Even though individuals appear to develop some level of tolerance to LSD, there is no significant literature describing withdrawal symptoms; thus, there is no evidence that physical dependence on LSD occurs. There does not appear to be any significant literature associating LSD use with the development of a substance use disorder or addiction, although there are most certainly isolated cases of chronic LSD abuse.

• Euphoria, severe alterations in the sense of time since time appears to move significantly slower, dissociation (e.g., feeling as if things are not real or that one is detached from one’s body), and vivid sensual experiences, such as vivid hallucinations
• Cardiovascular changes, such as increased heart rate, hypertension, or hypotension

• Tremors, issues with muscular coordination, and increased reflexes
• Marked pupil dilation
• Anxiety, panic reactions, and even paranoia in some chronic users
• Decreased fear responses

There appear to be no documented case studies of fatalities as a result of overdosing on magic mushrooms alone, as individuals who have suffered fatalities after using mushrooms are also known to have used other potentially dangerous drugs in combination with the mushrooms. Of course, this does not mean that it is impossible to overdose to the point where there is a potential risk.

There are also no reports of physical dependence developing from chronic use of psilocybin (exhibiting both tolerance and withdrawal); however, tolerance probably does occur in isolation in people who use the drug regularly. Because of the powerful sensory distortions produced by the drug, individuals under the influence of the drug are certainly prone to engaging in poor judgment and in being associated in accidents. In addition, there might be some instances of several emotional discomfort or even potential psychosis due to the hallucinogenic effects caused by the drug.

• Heightened sensory experiences that include seeing colors as being far brighter or sounds as being much more magnified, alterations in the perception of time, and synesthesia, which is a perception that one can detect sensory stimuli on a different modality (e.g., one feels that they can hear colors or see sound)
• Significant dissociative experiences, such as feeling as if one is weightless, weighed down, or detached from one’s body

• Dizziness, muscle weakness, ataxia (impaired muscle coordination), a rise in body temperature, and increased reflexes
• Increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and dilated pupils
• Profuse sweating, fever, and/or chills
• Extreme swings in mood, anxiety, and preoccupation with very trivial thoughts
• The potential to develop psychotic-like experiences while under the influence of the drug

• The person spends a significant amount of time using, trying to obtain, or recovering from use of the drug.
• The person neglects important commitments due to drug use.
• The person habitually uses the drug with other potentially dangerous drugs of abuse, such as alcohol, narcotic medications, or other drugs.

• The person continues to use the drug despite suffering negative consequences from use.
• The person tends to use the drug in situations where it is physically dangerous to do so (e.g., driving).

One significant, but rare, consequence of chronic use of psychedelic drugs is the development of a disorder known as hallucinogen-induced persistent perception disorder. This disorder occurs when individuals who no longer use these drugs experience flashbacks weeks, months, or even years after their last use. Flashbacks consist of experiences that typically occurred while under the influence of the drug, but they occur without actually taking the drug. It appears that a little over 4 percent of individuals who chronically used hallucinogens or psychedelic drugs develop this disorder.

The flashbacks appear to come out of nowhere, and individuals are totally surprised by them. Common experiences include flashing lights, flashing colors, seeing halos around people, and severe emotional distress. People can also experience very vivid and frightening hallucinations as they are totally unexpected.

• Extremely slowed breathing or difficulty breathing
• An increase in body temperature

• Nausea, vomiting, and, in some cases, light bleeding in the stomach or intestine
• Unconsciousness or becoming comatose