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Hallucinogens do just what their name implies; their most striking effect is that they produce hallucinations or perceptual distortions. They are abused less commonly than are alcohol, amphetamines, or cocaine, but their use is still not rare. Fewer than 5% of Americans have tried any psychedelic drug, far fewer than have tried marijuana (60%). They are less addictive than most psychoactive drugs, but overuse can trigger psychoses in individuals with the right predisposition (usually people who had a previous psychosis). Hallucinogens tend to be very potent; the original "trip" resulted when Albert Hoffman, who originally synthesized LSD ("acid") absorbed some through his fingers. He later took 250 micrograms, a minute amount, and experienced bizarre illusions for six hours; he was normal by the next day. People who take hallucinogens often experience
"flashbacks," which means that they can re-experience an
earlier trip from weeks to years after the original experience. Some
psychedelics, mescaline in particular, are used in religious
ceremonies. Timothy Leary, a psychologist, popularized the use of
psychedelics to produce "liberation." This form of
liberation lost favor after the 1960s. However, an article in
the February, 2003, Discover magazine reports that Dr. John
Halpern, a psychiatrist from the Harvard Medical School, is studying
the use of peyote (mescaline is the active agent) by members of the
Native American Church. He thinks that psychedelic drugs may have
therapeutic potential for alcoholics who have failed in other
treatment programs, and perhaps for those addicted to other drugs. A
number of other contemporary scientists are also studying
psychedelic drugs for their potential to reduce pain or anxiety.
However, use of these drugs is still illegal except for research
purposes or specially sanctioned religious ceremonies. Last updated 12/19/03 |
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