Hallucinogens

Term Paper # 99148

Medical and Health > Drugs
Psychology > Alcohol and Drugs

Hallucinogens

This paper examines the effects of hallucinogenic drugs on an individual's health.

1,216 words () | 5 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper defines hallucinogens as any drug that reacts with a person's mind by distorting reality to the point where hallucinations occur. The paper describes LSD; the most powerful hallucinogen, "magic mushrooms," PCP and ecstasy. The paper illustrates the dangers these mind-altering chemicals pose.

From the Paper:

"I couldn't walk through the lobby of the entry way at the dorm without getting really scared, because of the goblin I saw there when I was tripping." This is a perfect example of the hallucinogenic flash back that many LSD, PCP, Ecstasy and Magic Mushroom users experience after using one of these common hallucinogenic drugs. Hallucinogens refer to any drug that reacts with a person's mind by distorting reality to the point where hallucinations occur. Hallucinations occur when people see something that really does not exist. These drugs affect all of your senses, perceptions, thoughts and moods. This includes a distorted perception of time where minutes seem like hours, distance, gravity, spatial perceptions concerning oneself and one's surrounding environment. These drugs can also cause feelings of a mystical, religious or cosmic nature, which is what draws people to their use. These effects can also be very dangerous."

Sample of Sources Used:

Facts about...Hallucinogens (online) http://www.arf.org/isd/pim/halluc.html 1/28/01
Facts about...LSD (online) http://www.arf.org/isd/pim/lsd.html 1/28/01
Hallucinogens (online) http://www.pinehurst.net/~apd/drug/abouthallucin.html 1/28/01
How Drugs Affect You: Hallucinogens (online) http://www.nevdgp.org.au/geninf/adf/hdayha.html 1/28/01
Michael J. Klag, M.D., M.P.H. (Editor) John Hopkins, Family Health Book N.Y.: Harper Collins Publishers, 1997