Mescaline (peyote), Psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD (acid), PCP, Ketamine, Cannabis, Ecstasy, Jimsonweed, Salvia Divinorum, Nutmeg, Morning Glory, Dextromethorphan (DM), Ketamine

Hallucinogens – the reality

These drugs are known as “psychedelic” drugs and, though their potency varies, they all will alter your perception of reality (physically through your senses, emotionally, etc). Users cannot predict whether they will have a good or bad ‘trip’ and the experience can change between uses of the same drug. Psychedelic drugs do not cause physical dependence, with the exception of PCP and DM, but psychological dependence has been reported. Many have been injured while intoxicated on these drugs due to impaired decision making and an altered sense of time and space leading to high-risk behaviours and in some cases, suicide. Flashbacks, days and even months later, have been reported.

Where do they come from?

Mescaline, psilocybin, cannabis, jimsonweed, nutmeg, morning glory and salvia divinorum are natural plants that contain hallucinogenic substances. LSD is from a natural source, but is more commonly produced in illegal labs. DM is actually a narcotic, but has hallucinogenic properties. PCP was created for the medical community as an anaesthetic while Ketamine is a veterinary anaesthetic.

Ecstasy and cannabis (marijuana) are not used primarily for their hallucinogenic properties, but are known to have this effect. They are covered elsewhere on this site.

Substances abused for their psychedelic properties:

Psilocybin: magic mushrooms, shrooms, psychedelic mushrooms, Liberties, magics, mushies, liberty cap

Psilocybin, first used by Native groups in North America, has been used recreationally since the 1950’s. Mushrooms take effect within minutes and last about 2 hours. Users eat magic mushrooms fresh and dried, steeped in tea, added to foods, and as capsules. The misidentification of mushroom species has led to accidental poisonings. It is not uncommon for grocery-store mushrooms laced with LSD or PCP to be sold as magic mushrooms on the street. Mushroom growing kits are available legally because the psychedelic in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, is not present in the spores. Psilocybin is a controlled substance in Canada.

Mescaline: Peyote

Peyote is a cactus that grows in the Southwestern United States and Mexico. The exposed top of the small cactus contains mescaline, a hallucinatory drug. American Native groups have used peyote for religious ceremonies for centuries. Peyote is a controlled substance in Canada.

Ketamine: K, Special K, Vitamin K

Ketamine has been in use as a veterinary anaesthetic and painkiller for 30 years. In addition to its psychedelic effects, ketamine is also dissociative (makes your body feel separated from your mind). When abused, ketamine is injected, snorted or mixed with drinks, marijuana or tobacco. Ketamine has become popular at raves and is also used as a ‘date rape’ drug. Ketamine is a controlled substance in Canada.

Jimsonweed: Devil's apple, Fireweed, Stinkweed and Stinkwort

Jimsonweed is a plant that grows from Texas to southern Ontario. It is a close relative of Deadly Nightshade (Belladona - another plant with hallucinogenic properties). All parts of Jimsonweed are toxic. The hallucinogenic effects begin within 2 hours and can last 24-48 hours. Most websites warns users that Jimsonweed gives a bad ‘trip’. Police in London, ON asked residents to destroy any Jimsonweed seed pods in their gardens a few summers ago after a group of 5 teens ate seeds and all ended up in hospital, one in critical care. Some had eaten only one seed. Jimsonweed is not a controlled substance in Canada.

Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: LSD, Acid, Blotter, Window Pane

LSD is considered the most widely used psychedelic drug. It’s found in a fungus that grows on certain grains, like rye, but is more commonly made in illegal labs and sold as a white powder, tablets or capsules. When sold in liquid form, LSD is dabbed onto blotting paper and eaten that way, inhaled or injected. Trips last about 12 hours. LSD is known to cause flashbacks and is a controlled substance.

Phencyclidine: PCP, Angel Dust, Horse Tranquillizer, Hog

PCP was developed in the 1950s as an anaesthetic; in 1965 hospitals stopped using PCP because of horrible effects coming off it had on some patients. PCP is generally considered not worth the risk, but is available illegally in tablet, capsule, and powders that are snorted, smoked, or taken by mouth. PCP is commonly mixed, unknowingly to the user, with other drugs partly because of its addictive qualities (notably with marijuana and mushrooms). The effects of PCP last about 4–6 hours. PCP is addictive and in large doses is fatal. PCP is a controlled substance in Canada.

Salvia Divinorum: Magic Mint, Diviner’s Sage

Salvia Divinorum, like Jimsonweed, Nutmeg and Morning Glory seeds, is not a controlled substance and is available legally in Canada (although it is banned in other countries and will earn you a fine in a few states south of the border). In fact, you may see a sign in places that sell bongs and other drug paraphernalia that says ‘Salvia sold here’. Salvia Divinorum does not have the same chemical make-up as other hallucinogenic drugs, and scientists haven’t studied it enough to know exactly how it works. Salvia Divinorum induces intense visions and impairs coordination and reaction time. A rash of youtube videos posted by users document the effect Salvia has on people.

Nutmeg

Yes, the common spice in your cabinet. When eaten or sometimes snorted, it can produce mild euphoria and leaves users with hangover-like symptoms. Usually, nutmeg is used as a last resort.

Morning Glory Seeds

Morning Glory seeds are used medically for a variety of purposes because of their hallucinogenic effects. Morning Glory is a cousin to LSD and will give users similar, though less powerful, effects when 100 or more seeds are eaten. Commercially available seeds are often covered in pesticides and/or herbicides causing vomiting and other unpleasant symptoms.

Dextromethorphan: the DM in extra-strength cough syrups

Drug makers put DM, a codeine-derived narcotic, into various non-prescription medicines, but extra strength cough syrups are the most easily abused with about 3mg of DM per 1ml of cough syrup. At recommended levels the drug is safe, but at about 4mg and higher the drug produces effects similar to that of PCP or Ketamine and is addictive. Urine tests may show false PCP results and there have been complaints that this addiction isn't taken seriously.

Canadian Statistics

• 3.5% of grade 7-12 Ontario students used ecstasy
• 1.6%  of grade 7-12 Ontario students used LSD
• 0.7% of grade 7-12 Ontario students usedPCP
• 5.5% of grade 7-12 Ontario students used other hallucinogens (such as psilocybin and mescaline).
• 10.4% of Alberta students under 18 used magic mushrooms or mescaline and 3.9% use other hallucinogens in a 2002 survey.
• 2009 Ontario Student Drug Use survey found males are more likely to use hallucinogen

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