Author Question: Hallucinogens

Stephane Asks:

I'm writing a story where one of the characters comes in contact with a hallucinogen that plagues the person with their greatest fear. Could this hallucinogens be fatal? Would there be long term affects? How long does a normal hallucinogen last? What are the affects on the human body? Heart rate, breathing and so forth.

Jordyn Says:

What are the common hallucinogens? These would be LSD, Hallucinogenic mushrooms, Psilocybin (active ingredient in mushrooms-- I believe this can be synthesized), DMT, Ayahausca (which is an hallucinogenic jungle vine.)

Here are some links you might find interesting:

Psychology Today: Hallucinogens: http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/hallucinogens

Psilocybin and Brain Function: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/unique-everybody-else/201210/psilocybin-and-brain-function

Magic Mushroom altering personality: http://www.livescience.com/16287-mushrooms-alter-personality-long-term.html

DMT: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyltryptamine

Ayahuasca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca

http://www.soberliving.com/resources/addictions/ayahuasca-hallucinogenic-drug-south-america-trip-trip-shamans

The effects of hallucinogens generally last 6-12 hours. They are generally not fatal. What can be fatal is if a person does something under the effects of a hallucinogen-- like jump off of a building.

Symptoms of hallucinogens:  http://www.testsymptomsathome.com/sym_drug_hallucinogens.asp

Long term effects of abusing hallucinogens: Permanent floaters (in eye vision), psychosis, and mental health issues.

Two lists of short and long term symptoms:

http://www2.courtinfo.ca.gov/stopteendui/teens/resources/substances/hallucinogens/short-and-long-term-effects.cfm

http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/hallucinogens