Hallucinogens: Tips for teens about drugs

According to a survey done in 2017, it was reported that around 50% of American teens had misused a drug at least once in their lifetime. Drug abuse is becoming a rising trend, especially for teenagers.

However, many important facts about certain drugs are overlooked by many teens. Below, we will share some tips regarding hallucinogens. These essential details can help you evade the path of addiction and might end up saving your life.

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens are a diverse family of drugs that alter a person’s perception of their environment, thoughts and feelings. People often misuse them for their recreational purposes but are often unaware of some unknown harms they’re putting themselves in.

Hallucinogens are known by different slang terms. Such as LSD, acid, sunshine, tab, blotter, yellow submarine, mushrooms, psilocybin, little smoke, magic mushrooms, peyote, cactus, buttons, angel dust, peace pills, dippers, and greens, etc.

However, every teen must know some important details when it comes to hallucinogens. Let’s take a look.

Hallucinogens have a range of negative impacts: Hallucinogens can make you feel relaxed and ecstatic, but this comes at a price that is often overlooked. Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that include those listed above like ayahuasca, ketamine, and salvia. These drugs can mess with a person’s consciousness about their environment, feelings and thoughts. They might cause you to see or feel things that aren’t real.
Long-term impacts on your brain: Hallucinogens can cause a chemical imbalance in your brain. Serotonin is an important chemical in your brain that affects your sleep, muscle control, and mood. Another chemical is glutamate, it regulates your pain perception, learning, and memory among other areas. Hallucinogens can disturb the natural functioning of both serotonin and glutamate and can cause lasting impacts such as psychosis or psychological disorders.
Hallucinogens are unpredictable: You can feel the impacts of hallucinogens as soon as in 20 minutes and their effects on your brain can last for as long as 12 hours.
Hallucinogens can be addictive: You become addicted to hallucinogens. If someone uses LSD on a regular basis, they develop a certain resistance for the drug. This means they have to consume more and more to feel its effects and in such cases, overdose can occur. This can lead to dangerous outcomes like risky behaviours resulting in injury or even death due to altered perception of reality.

Some common questions and confusions

young Q: If dextromethorphan is used in the cough medicine I buy at pharmacies, does it mean it’s safe to use on its own too?

Ans: Absolutely not. When such substances are used in medicine, their consumption is only safe when taken according to professional directions. The toxic effects of DXM include:

Hallucinations
Distorted perceptions
Impaired muscle movement
Impaired memory
Possible seizures with some cough medications

Also, your lung or heart functions can slow or even completely stop. This can cause an overdose death. Misusing these substances with alcohol gives worse results as they strengthen each other’s impacts.

Q: If Salvia is legal, doesn’t that mean I’m allowed to use it?

Ans: No. Even if there aren’t federal laws prohibiting the use of Salvia, it is still dangerous and illegal in 29 states and several countries. Its effects can include hallucinations, visions changes, and being unable to tell the difference between what’s real and what’s not.

Q: Peyote comes from a cactus. If it’s from a plant, it must be safe, right?

Ans: No. Even though it comes from a plant, it still has many downsides and negative effects such as hallucinations, severe vomiting, altered body image, muscle weakness, and impaired motor coordination.

How to tell if your friends are using Hallucinogens?

If you suspect some of your friends are using hallucinogens or are becoming addicted to them, you can identify with the following symptoms:

Hallucinations
Nausea/vomiting
Loss of appetite
Seeing or hearing things that aren’t there (mixed senses)
Excessive sweating
Paranoia
Weight loss
Memory loss
Anxiety
Depression and suicidal thoughts
Persistent psychosis
Speech issues
Social withdrawal and disorganization

If you’ve become at risk for addiction due to a friend’s influence, reach out to the young adult rehab center in Tampa.

Consider these before taking hallucinogens

Know the law: Hallucinogens are illegal to use by people of any age. Law enforcement are instructed to take action against anyone that may have used hallucinogens.
Know the risks: Hallucinogens might feel good for the moment, but they leave a trail of risks in their path. If a person uses a high dose of PCP, they could have a seizure, go into a coma or even die.
Look around you: The truth is that a very small number of people are using hallucinogens. In 2018, only 1.5% of teens had used hallucinogens. Hallucinogens are dangerous and not as common as they might seem.

The Takeaway

Hallucinogens might feel good for the moment, but they are dangerous and can be deadly.

If you find yourself dealing with hallucinogens, you should consult your doctor, parents or counselors for help immediately. Call 866.796.4720 or contact us online if you need help with substance abuse.