Psychedelic Drugs (Hallucinogens)
These drugs change one’s behaviour thoughts ‚feelings and perception without any actual sensory stimulus.
The hallucinogens in general produces dream like state with the disorientation and often make users of SEE SOUND AND HEAR COLOUR. These are also called VISION PRODUCING DRUGS as they produce false imaginations or extreme feeling of either despair or euphoria by effecting cerebrum and sense organs .
These include chemical such as LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) , Mescaline , psilocybin and products of hemp plant. Cocaine and amphetamines are also capable of producing hallucinations.
Natural Hallucinogens
(I) LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
It is the most powerful psychedelic. Its chemical formula is C15H15N2CON(C2H5)2 . It is a crystalline amidated alkaloid Obtained from Ergot , an exact got from fruiting body of Fungus Claviceps purpurea that is parasite on Rye plant . it is always smoked . LSD was synthesized by Hofmann (1938).
LSD causes horrible dreams, emotional outburst , hallucinations, chronic psychosis and severe damage to the central nervous system . it also brings about chromosomal and foetal abnormalities. An LSD addict can be easily recognised from incoherence in writing and drawing.
(ii) Mescaline
It is a white powdery alkaloid , obtained from the tops (called mescals) of a small spineless cactus , Lophophora williamsii native to the SW United States and Northern Mexico. This cactus is also called “peyote cactus”.
It’s chemical formula is C11H17NO3. It is a low potency Hallucinogens
(iii) Psilocybine
It is obtained from the fruiting bodies of Mexican Mushroom (fungus) Psilocybe mexicana (Family Agaricaceae). Its chemical formula is C13H18O3N2P2.
Psilocybin is a crystalline solid that May have value in psychological medicine.its effect are Similar to those of Medicine.
(iv) Cannabinoids (products of Hemp Plant)
Hallucinogenic Chemical obtained from leaves , resin and inflorescence of Hemp plant , Cannabis Sativa are called Cannabinoids. There are four types of Hallucinogens products.
(a) Bhang
It is fresh/dried leaves and flowering shoots of both male and female plants of Cannabis Sativa. Bhang is generally taken orally (eg. Drink or in the form of pakora or tikki) . it acts slowly.
(b) Ganja
It is dried unfertilized female inflorescence of Cannabis sativa . it is smoked generally in cigarettes. It is more potent . its effects are produced almost instantaneously.
© Charas
It is dried resinous extract from flowering tops and leaves of cannabis sativa . it is most potent and smoked with tobacco . in some countries like America , Charas is called Hashish.
Resin is obtained from the plant . The active principle in resins is THC , I.e. 9 Tetrahydrocannabinol. It gives temporary feeling of well being and Happiness.
(d) Marijuana
This is obtained from the dried flower and top leaves of the female plants of Cannabis sativa . the most active ingredient of marijuana is delta 9 terahydrocanabinol (Delta 9 THC) . it is smoked in Cigarettes. Marijuana May cause psychosis
Product of hemp plants raise the blood sugar level and increase the frequency of urination . they are relatively less harmful but regular intake of these products May lead to heroin. Like addiction.
They bring about a state of well being (euphoria), excitement, sometimes uncontrolled laughter and dilation of pupil of eyes . They are very harmful if taken along with alcohol.
These days cannabionoids are also being abused by some sport persons..
(v) Datura and Belladona
Seeds of Datura stramonium and aerial parts of Atropa belladona are misused for their hallucinogenic properties. However , even in slight excess they can cause death.
Synthetic Hallucinogens
(I) PCP (phencyclidine piperidine)
It is widely used in veterinary medicine to briefly immobilize large animals. PCP is available to addicts as angel dust (white granular powder,).
It has stimulants, depressants, Hallucinogens and analgesics properties. Higher dose of PCP May produce hypersalivation , vomiting , fever and even coma.
(ii) Methylenedioxy Methamphetamine, (MDMA)
MDMA has CNS excitant and Hallucinogenic properties.
It increase communication . MDMA has become popular in Students under the name ‘ecstasy’ drug.