Hallucinogens

• Examples:

  • Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) - 'acid'
  • Marijuana
  • MDMA/ecstasy - both a stimulant and hallucinogen
  • Phenylcyclohexyl piperidine (PCP)
• When consumes, hallucinogens can cause euphoria, visual and auditory hallucinations and psychosis
• LSD clinical features:

  • Lethargy
  • Psychomotor agitation
  • Craving
  • Insomnia
  • Unpleasant dreams
• Marijuana clinical features:

  • Increased appetite
  • Conjunctival injection
• Ecstasy clinical features:

  • Bruxism - teeth grinding
  • Hyperthermia
  • Hyponatremia
  • Hepatotoxicity
• PCP clinical features:

  • Loss of painful stimuli
  • Vertical nystagmus
  • Psychosis with hallucination
  • Violence and agitation
• Screening:

  • Drug abuse screening test (DAST)
  • CAGE-AID
  • Addiction severity index (ASI)
• There are no specific interventions for hallucinogen misuse, and the mainstay treatment is supportive. This includes medically supervised detox by slowly tapering the dose, referral to a rehabilitation centre, cognitive behavioural therapy, and treatment of withdrawal symptoms.