Effects of hallucinogens

 

The effects of any drug vary from person to person.  It depends on many factors including an individual's size, weight and health, how the drug is taken, how much is taken, whether the person is used to taking it, the person's mood and whether other drugs are taken.  The effects also depend on the environment in which the drug is used - for example, whether the person is alone, with others, or in a social setting.

More than with any other drug, the effects of hallucinogens vary greatly from person to person, and from occasion to occasion.  It is hard to know how the hallucinogenic experience, or 'tripping', will turn out.

Immediate effects

The effects of hallucinogens usually begin within half an hour of taking the drug, are at their strongest in 3 to 5 hours, and last for up to 12 hours.  Typical effects include:

  • intense sensory experiences (eg brighter colours, sharper sounds)
  • mixing of the senses (eg colours are heard or sounds seen)
  • distorted sense of time (eg minutes can be slow as hours; reliving old events)
  • distorted sense of space
  • distorted body image (person feels as if they are floating or being pulled down by gravity)
  • sense of relaxation and wellbeing
  • pupils of the eyes may dilate
  • rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, abnormal rapid breathing
  • nausea and loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort
  • chills, flushing, shaking
  • confusion, paranoia
  • acute panic (a 'bad trip')
  • poor co-ordination

Deaths or accidents can occur as a result of tripping in unsafe environments - for example, near water or bridges, around open fires, or when driving.  This is because people can no longer trust what they see and hear.

Long-term effects

Flashbacks: Days, weeks or even years after using the drug, some people re-experience the effects. The user may see intense colours and other hallucinations. Flashbacks can be sparked by the use of other drugs, or by stress, fatigue or physical exercise. The flashback experience can range from being pleasant to producing severe feelings of anxiety. They are usually visual and last for a minute or two.

There is also some evidence that heavy use of LSD can impair a user's memory and concentration. Using LSD may increase the risk of certain people developing severe mental disturbances.