Are Hallucinogens Addictive?

Most people would think that people get into a substance abuse disorder because they needed something to sedate them heavily, or something that would give them a boost much as methamphetamines do. There are, however, some people who get into substance abuse to experience an altered state of mind, produced by chemical compounds known as hallucinogens. The experience has proven to be habit-forming for many, and those who try it to answer the question “are hallucinogens addictive?” could find themselves hooked on it before they even realize that they already were.

What are Hallucinogens?

Psychoactive drugs that can produce altered states of consciousness are called hallucinogens. This large and highly diversified class of drugs that contain alkaloid compounds produces major alterations in thought, mood, and perception. Historical accounts indicate that this particular substance has been in use since the earliest days of civilization, with tribal soothsayers and herbalists using it for a number of applications, the most common of which is to induce a trance-like state where the person on it is said to commune with the supernatural.

Hallucinogens are typically categorized into three groups:

Why are Hallucinogens Addictive?

Most known hallucinogens, with the exception of PCP, are not known to alter the chemical makeup of the brain that is typically associated with the effects of most addictive substances. The real danger that comes with hallucinogenic use is that it produces psychological addiction, as the altered state of consciousness. Therefore, what it produces is said to be highly addictive to those who experience it. It should be noted that there are people who use hallucinogens who experience mostly altered perception only, such as seeing colors they normally don’t. Others, however, experience a more profound form of altered consciousness, such as those who use hallucinogens for shamanistic or ritualistic purposes.

When used in such applications, the user is said to be able to engage in the following:

• “Tap into a higher state of consciousness” and divine specific events
• Communicate with otherworldly beings
• Acquire knowledge they normally would have no way of acquiring

For most users, however, the altered state of consciousness is usually reason enough for the chronic use of hallucinogens. It offers a glimpse into things the conscious mind would otherwise not know of.

There are also many who use plants from which hallucinogenic compounds are derived for use as mild sedatives. The sedation effect is different from that usually derived from medications as it is described as being in a “relaxed state close to euphoria”. This is particularly addictive to people who largely suffer from the negative effects of anxiety and find a measure of peace when using these hallucinogens.

What are the Dangers of Hallucinogen Addiction?

As with any form of addiction, most of the damage comes from the result of having a potentially toxic substance constantly in the body. In the case of hallucinogens, while most of the subclasses do not induce any kind of major chemical change in the brain, the action of the hallucinogen does interfere with the natural activity of the chemical signals happening in the central nervous system.

What are the Other Effects of Hallucinogens?

As hallucinogens are known to alter the perception, and to a certain extent, the consciousness of the user, the organ that is ultimately affected is the brain. Anything that directly affects the brain to such a powerful extent is potentially dangerous in that it could also alter the basic operations of the body that keeps a person healthy and alive.

Some of the known short-term effects include:

• Increased heart rate
• Nausea
• Intensified feelings
• Altered sensory experiences (such as seeing brighter colors)
• Altered sense of time (the feeling that time is passing by slowly)
• Hypertension (elevated blood pressure)
• Hyperventilation (increased breathing rate)
• Elevated core body temperature
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth
• Disruption of sleep patterns
• Uncoordinated movements
• Profuse sweating
• Panic attacks
• Paranoia
• Psychosis
• Disordered thinking
• Bizarre behavior

Long-term effects include:

• Persistent psychosis
• Visual disturbances
• Persistent disorganized thinking
• Sudden mood changes

A more serious adverse effect that some hallucinogen users experience is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD). This is the recurrence of certain experiences while on hallucinogens, including persistent hallucinations or other visual disturbances. These may happen often and without warning, most often within a few days or more than a year after drug use. This effect is particularly alarming because the symptoms are sometimes mistaken for other disorders with similar manifestations, such as a stroke or a brain tumor.

What are the Other Effects of Dissociatives?

Dissociatives are known to stay in the body for several hours after being consumed. Depending upon the specific tolerance of the user, this could mean that the effect could last just as long and taper off near the end of the duration of its presence in the body. The extended feeling of detachment could become potentially hazardous because it also induces a lack of human connection with everything else. This could manifest as not caring if one’s actions are hurtful or even dangerous to others.

It could also become highly dangerous for the person as the sense of detachment from everything could also remove the person’s self-preservation instincts. This could leave them without a care if their actions are highly likely to produce self-harm.

Short-term effects of dissociatives include:

• Numbness
• Disorientation
• Loss of coordination
• Hallucinations
• Hypertension (increase in blood pressure)
• Tachycardia (elevated heart rate)
• Elevated core body temperature
• Impaired memory
• Panic
• Anxiety
• Seizures
• Psychotic episodes
• Amnesia
• Temporary paralysis
• Sudden mood swings
• Difficulty breathing

Long-term effects of dissociatives include:

• Speech problems
• Severe memory loss
• Drastic weight loss
• Persistent anxiety
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Is it Possible to Overdose on Hallucinogens?

The greater danger of overconsumption of hallucinogens comes from the altered perception of the world that the user experiences while on it. It is possible for the user to not see potential dangers as they truly are, such as bridges, ledges, sharp objects, and even fire. There have been people brought to the emergency room due to consuming psychedelic mushrooms that contain psilocybin.

Dissociatives like PCP, however, does come with the possibility of a lethal overdose, as high doses of PCP have been known to induce violent seizures, slipping into a coma, and death.

What is the Treatment for Hallucinogen Addiction?

Due to the fact that there are no FDA-approved medications for hallucinogen addiction treatment, medication-assisted therapy (MAT) is not an option for hallucinogen addiction. Scientists are also doing more research to determine if behavioral therapies which can be administered through inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab, could be effective for addiction to hallucinogens.

Let Westwind Recovery® Lead You Back to Sobriety

Some of the most difficult dependencies stem from a person’s need to escape the harsh realities of the world. Not everyone is equipped with the proper coping mechanisms to deal with the stress and troubles of daily life, and this is often how they lose their way and resort to substance abuse. We know this because we have helped so many people here at Westwind Recovery® in getting back to the path of sobriety and being free of substance dependency. We could help you too. Let’s talk.