FX Answers

Psychedelics

What are psychedelics?

Psychedelics, also known as ‘hallucinogens’ are a type of drug that changes a person's idea / concept of reality. That may include seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not truly there. This drug is either manufactured (a drug made from chemicals in a lab) or taken from a plant. It is usually taken in the form of a pill, smoked, or ingested as tea, soup, or meal. 

When someone has taken psychedelics what they may experience is when they are looking at a blank wall, the drug will make them believe that there is a person, noises, colors, or other images on that wall. That happens because psychedelics target specific centers of the brain to alter its understanding of all five senses.  

There are a lot of myths about taking these drugs, such as it is a ‘party drug’ or that it will help you learn more about yourself. The truth is that hallucinogens are unpredictable, they can have long lasting hallucinations or trigger mental disorders. The drug is also highly addictive, when someone becomes dependent on it, they can have long term consequences of risky behavior or death from long-term and long-lasting “highs.” 

There is still a lot to learn about these drugs, but we strongly advise too not take any form of psychedelics. Also, people are finding strains of psychedelics in more ‘common’ drugs such as marijuana. Unfortunately, that is leading many individuals to becoming addicted to these unpredictable substances. 

Common names for psychedelics:

  • LSD or acid 
  • Shrooms
  • Ecstasy 
  • Ketamine
  • Ayahuasca 

Side Effects:

  • Hallucinations 
  • Nausea/vomiting 
  • Loss of appetite  
  • Mixed senses (e.g., “seeing” sounds or “hearing” colors) 
  • Excessive sweating 
  • Paranoia 
  • Memory loss  
  • Anxiety 
  • Depression and suicidal thoughts 
  • Constant psychosis/ hallucinations (constantly not being able to tell what is real and what is not)
  • Speech problems  
  • Social withdrawal and disorganization

Getting help: