Psychedelic drugs are a group of drugs that can trigger hallucinations. Because of these effects, psychedelic drugs are included in the hallucinogen class. This drug is classified as a dangerous narcotic because it has a high risk of being abused and causing dependence.
Psychedelic drugs work by changing the performance of brain chemicals or neurotransmitters that are responsible for controlling a person's mood, emotions, thoughts, memory, vision, touch, and sexual behavior.
Therefore, psychedelic drugs can cause effects in the form of euphoria or feelings of pleasure, disturbed thought patterns, and changes in the sensation of all five senses of people who take them. Psychedelic drugs can even cause users to hallucinate.
Psychedelic Drugs at a Glance
The term psychedelic drug was first proposed by a psychiatrist named Humphry Osmond in 1956. The psychiatrist found that there were symptoms of hallucinations and mood changes in people who used certain substances. Therefore, the substance is called a psychedelic substance.
Initially, psychedelic substances or drugs were used to treat various mental disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety disorders.
However, over time, this drug is widely abused by people who want to enjoy certain sensations or euphoria, because of its intoxicating effects and can make the mood 'happy'. Psychedelic drugs are quite widely used by teenagers.
By law, psychedelic drugs have been classified as illegal drugs. In Indonesia, this drug is classified as a class I narcotic or a narcotic with a high risk of causing addiction. Psychedelic drugs can also be categorized as a class of psychotropic drugs.
Different Types of Psychedelic Drugs
Some psychedelic drugs are produced synthetically, but some are naturally formed from certain plants. Several types of chemicals and plants are included in the class of psychedelic substances or drugs, including:
1. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)
This psychedelic drug was first discovered in 1938, but became popular since the 1960s.
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is made from lysergic acid, which is the essence of a fungus that grows on wheat grass and certain types of grains. LSD is a psychedelic drug with the strongest hallucinatory effects. The hallucinatory effects of LSD can appear after an hour of taking the drug and can last up to 12 hours.
This drug is dangerous and is usually found in the form of a clear, odorless, colorless powder or liquid. In addition, there are also in the form of colored tablets, pills, capsules, and gelatin.
2. Magic mushrooms or magic mushrooms
There are more than 180 types of mushrooms that grow naturally and contain the psychedelic substance psilocybin. One type of mushroom that is quite well known is magic mushrooms. This fungus lives and grows in the feces of certain animals.
magic mushrooms can provide a psychedelic effect after 1-2 hours of consumption with effects that can last up to 6 hours.
3. DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)
DMT, also known as Dimitri, is a psychedelic substance found in certain plants that grow in the Amazon rainforest. Ayahuasca is a term for a tea concoction made from the extract of the plant.
In addition, there is also artificial DMT which is in the form of a white crystalline powder and is used by smoking. The hallucinatory effects of DMT are usually brief, lasting only about an hour.
4. Mescaline or peyote
Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance found in the peyote cactus. This cactus is dubbed the magic cactus and its effects are similar to LSD. Apart from cacti, mescaline can be found in the form of synthetic or artificial chemicals. The psychedelic effect of mescaline can last up to 12 hours.
In addition to the drugs above, some literature also classifies ecstasy as a psychedelic drug. However, the hallucinatory effects caused by ecstasy are weaker than other types of psychedelic drugs. This makes ecstasy users do not always feel hallucinations.
Side Effects and Dangers of Using Psychedelic Drugs
Regardless of the type, certain doses of psychedelic drugs can cause hallucinations. This hallucinatory effect is often referred to as 'tripping'. The 'tripping' experience experienced by each user can vary, depending on the psychological situation and the atmosphere in which psychedelic drugs are consumed.
For example, if used at parties or music concerts, the effects of psychedelic drugs may last longer. In addition to hallucinations, psychedelic drugs can also cause various other effects, namely:
- Heart rate and respiratory rate increase.
- Dry mouth.
- Nauseous.
- Difficulty sleeping and excessive sweating.
- Tremors or shaking.
- Visual disturbances, such as blurred vision and visual hallucinations. When hallucinating, psychedelic drug users can see very bright colors, sparkling lights, and objects or faces of people, even though what they see is not seen by others.
- Euphoria or feeling of excitement that is excessive, so that you can't stop laughing.
- Changes in mood, for example from joy to sadness, panic, anxiety, or fear.
- Psychosis or difficulty distinguishing between reality and imagination.
- Behaving strangely.
Not infrequently the side effects caused by this drug have tragic ends, such as users jumping out of windows thinking they can fly, resulting in serious injury or death.
If used long term, psychedelic drugs can cause mental disorders, such as psychosis and persistent hallucinations. In certain cases, this disorder can even occur by users who are trying psychedelic drugs for the first time.
Misusing psychedelic drugs is not only harmful to the health of the body, but can also be subject to sanctions and penalties in accordance with Indonesian legislation.
Based on Law No. 35 of 2009, anyone who possesses, uses, produces, and distributes class I narcotics will be sentenced to a minimum of 4 years, with a fine of at least IDR 800,000,000.
Therefore, you are not advised to use psychedelic drugs or narcotics of any kind without a doctor's recommendation or for obvious medical reasons.
If you experience disturbing effects, feel dependent, persistent hallucinations, and suicidal ideation after using psychedelic drugs, you are advised to consult a psychiatrist for treatment.
