2.6iv Types of substances: Hallucinogens

A Family Guide to Concurrent Disorders - Part I: What are concurrent disorders?

Hallucinogens include:

• cannabis/marijuana (the most common hallucinogen)
• LSD (the best-known hallucinogen)
• ecstasy (sometimes called “the love drug”)
• solvents (e.g., glue, paint thinner, gasoline)
• ketamines (a painkiller originally developed to treat animals; sometimes called “special K”).

The term hallucinogen is used to describe drugs that produce distortions of reality. Hallucinogens are sometimes called “psychedelic drugs.” Hallucinogens dramatically affect perception, emotions and mental processes. They distort the senses and can cause hallucinations. Hallucinations are sensory images similar to dreams or nightmares—a person may see, taste or hear things that are not really present, except they occur when a person is awake.

Cannabis

Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Canada (after alcohol and tobacco use by minors). However, most cannabis use is infrequent and experimental.

Research has shown that THC and other pure cannabinoids can relieve nausea and vomiting and stimulate appetite. This can help people who have AIDS or who take drugs used to treat cancer. While there is plenty of anecdotal evidence, further research is needed to establish the medical value of marijuana in relieving pain, reducing muscle spasms and controlling some types of epileptic seizures.

How does cannabis make you feel?

How cannabis makes you feel depends on:

• your age
• how much you use
• how often you use
• how long you've been using it
• whether you smoke it or swallow it
• your mood
• how you expect it to make you feel
• whether you've taken any alcohol or other drugs (illegal, prescription, over-the-counter or herbal)
• whether you have certain pre-existing medical or psychiatric conditions.

At low doses, cannabis mildly distorts perception and the senses. People who use it say the drug makes music sound better, colours appear brighter and moments seem longer. They say it enhances taste, touch and smell and makes them feel more aware of their body.

Smoking large amounts may intensify some of the desired effects, but is also more likely to produce an unpleasant reaction. Too high a dose may induce the feeling of losing control, confusion, agitation, paranoia and severe anxiety attacks that resemble panic attacks. Pseudohallucinations (seeing things such as pattern and colour that you know are not real) or true hallucinations (where you lose touch with reality) can occur.

Is cannabis dangerous?

While no one has ever died of a cannabis overdose, those who use cannabis should be aware of the following possible dangers:

• Cannabis impairs depth perception, attention span and concentration; it slows reaction time, and decreases muscle strength and hand steadiness—all of which may affect a person's ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
• Cannabis and alcohol, when taken together, intensify each other's effects, and cause severe impairment.
• Cannabis intoxication affects thinking and short-term memory.
• Illegal cannabis products are not subject to any health and safety standards and may be contaminated with other drugs, pesticides or toxic fungi.
• Large doses of potent cannabis, especially when swallowed, can cause “toxic psychosis.” Symptoms include auditory and visual hallucinations (hearing or seeing thing that are not really there), confusion and amnesia (partial or complete memory loss).

Is cannabis addictive?

It can be. People who use cannabis regularly can develop psychological or mild physical dependence.

People with psychological dependence crave the high. The drug becomes overly important to them, they may feel they need it, and if they can't get it, they may feel anxious.

Long-term, frequent use can lead to physical dependence. People with physical dependence may experience mild withdrawal symptoms if they suddenly stop using cannabis. Symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, upset stomach, loss of appetite, sweating and disturbed sleep.

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