The Hallucinogenic Effects of Breathing by Joanna Boulter

Mescaline is a naturally occurring substance found in the peyote cactus. Peyote is a small, spineless cactus in which the main active ingredient is mescaline. But repeated use can build up a person’s tolerance, so they have to take a higher dose to achieve the same effect. LSD isn’t considered addictive because it doesn’t cause uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior. The effects of LSD can last for nine to 12 hours. For instance, they may smell sounds or hear colors. They may have mystical experiences, such as visions or blending of their senses. The effects of LSD make a person lose touch with reality. LSD can also come as a tablet or capsule. People usually soak small squares of blotting paper in the LSD. LSD, or acid, looks like a clear or white material. A fungus that grows on rye and other grains contains this chemical. Made from lysergic acid, this drug is one of the strongest mind-altering chemicals. The meaning of LSD is lysergic acid diethylamide. Other hallucinogenic drugs interfere with the neurotransmitter glutamate, which regulates: Serotonin controls various functions in a person’s body, including: For instance, some work by interfering with a chemical ( neurotransmitter) called serotonin. Hallucinogens work by disrupting communication between chemical networks throughout a person’s brain. However, scientists are now looking into the possibility of using certain hallucinogens as provider-supervised treatments for mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety. Healthcare providers don’t consider any amount of psychedelic drug use safe.

More recently, people use the drugs for recreational purposes. People have used hallucinogens for religious and healing rituals for centuries. If a person is under the influence of a hallucinogen, they’re said to be “tripping.” People can have “good trips,” where the experience is positive, or “bad trips,” where the experience is negative. The effects of the different drugs vary, but they all affect your senses, thoughts and mood.

Some psychedelic drugs cause people to feel out of control or disconnected from their bodies and environment. People may hear, feel or see things that aren’t really there. Hallucinogenic drugs can cause hallucinations, which are sensations and images that seem real but aren’t. Some hallucinogens are human-made (synthetic), and some come from naturally occurring compounds found in certain plants and fungi (plural of fungus). Also known as psychedelics, they alter a person’s thoughts and feelings, as well. Hallucinogens are a type of drug that changes a person’s awareness of their surroundings. Hallucinogens can cause many unpleasant side effects.

The Hallucinogenic Effects of Breathing by Joanna Boulter