Drug Education Teacher Booklet

24 IMMEDIATE LONG TERM ● Increased heart rate and body temperature ● Dilated (enlarged) pupils ● A trance-like state ● Feeling of euphoria (a ‘high’) ● Restlessness ● Nausea and vomiting ● Hallucinations (e.g. seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) ● Stomach cramps ● Disorientation (increasing the risk of injury) ● Tiredness, dizziness and amnesia ● Anxiety, panic attacks, fear or terror (a ‘bad trip’) ● Loss of consciousness ● Paranoia and psychosis* ● Poisoning, particularly with magic mushrooms if the wrong type is used. This can be fatal ● Dependence* ● Flashbacks (spontaneous recurrences of a specific experience). Sometimes these can last for days, weeks or sometimes even years after taking the drug ● Mental health problems (such as depression and anxiety) ● Anxiety and panic attacks ● Memory problems ● Personality changes ● Psychosis* WHAT ARE THEY? Hallucinogens (also known as psychedelics) are a category of drugs that cause perceptual distortions such as hallucinations. Hallucinations are experiences where people hear or see things that aren’t really there, or where perception is altered. For example, colours or shapes may appear to be changing, more brightly coloured or moving. People who use these drugs may also experience unusual thoughts, feelings, or beliefs. Hallucinogens can be naturally occurring or synthetic. The most commonly known synthetic hallucinogen is LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), also known as acid, trips or tabs. Naturally occurring hallucinogens include: ● Magic mushrooms (Psilocybin) ● DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) ● Mescaline (found in peyote) ● Salvia EFFECTS OF HALLUCINOGENS Effects of hallucinogens vary, but may include: * See Glossary on page 36 HALLUCINOGENS