Ingesting certain drugs can cause hallucinations. Hallucinations change your brain’s awareness of its surroundings. In turn, your mind forms images, smells, and sounds that might seem real to you, but they are not.
Doing them regularly could result in psychotic episodes and other long-term problems. This guide outlines drugs that cause hallucinations, how they affect the brain, symptoms of use, and treatments.
Which Drugs Lead to Hallucinations?
The National Institute on Drug Abuse classifies two types of drugs causing hallucinations: classic and dissociative drugs. Here is a look at some of the drugs that lead to altered mental states:
- LSD: LSD, also known as D-lysergic acid diethylamide, comes in white or clear material. When someone takes LSD, they go on an acid trip, invoking images of vivid color, inanimate objects moving, and tasting sounds.
- Peyote: It is a cactus containing mescaline. People can also synthesize it. After taking it, you can feel like you’re in a dream. Your mind can form hallucinations even with your eyes closed.
- DMT: You can find DMT (N,-N-dimethyltryptamine) derived from Ayahuasca, a chemical found in Amazonian plants. People use the chemical to make tea or synthesize it into white powder to smoke. DMT has a reputation for giving its users an intense hallucination.
- Psilocybin: It comes from mushrooms found in the United States, Mexico, and South America. After eating them, hallucinations can form within 30 minutes. These include altered realities, feelings of paranoia and confusion, and distortions in sound.
- Marijuana: While typically less associated with hallucinations, marijuana with high THC content can lead to marijuana-induced psychosis, causing hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion, particularly in individuals with a predisposition to mental health issues.
Meanwhile, there are dissociative drugs, such as PCP, Ketamine, Salvia, and DXM, which can also cause hallucinations.
Are There Side Effects to Taking Drugs Causing Hallucinations?
Yes, users can experience the following symptoms during or after hallucinating:
- Rapid heart rate
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
- Paranoia (being afraid of others or surroundings)
- Sweating
- Panic
- Fitful sleep
- Changes in perception of time
- Intense sensory experiences (tasting sounds, seeing vivid colors, etc.)
Meanwhile, taking hallucinating drugs could result in psychosis. When a person undergoes a psychotic episode, they might exhibit:
- Paranoid thoughts
- Rapid changes in mood or behavior
- Disconnected thinking and speech
Users might also experience Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder. It is where you can relive drug experiences from your past–even if you do not use them anymore. Your mind can produce flashbacks of hallucinations you encountered. It can occur from a few days to a year or more after using the drug.
How are Dissociative Drugs Different?
These drugs present different symptoms, such as numbness, raised blood pressure, memory loss, seizures, amnesia, the inability to move, problems breathing, and mood swings. Moreover, dissociative drugs tend to result in higher overdoses. A person overusing PCP could experience coma, seizures, and ultimately, death.
Hallucinations Through Marijuana Psychosis
While marijuana is often considered a less harmful drug, it can also lead to hallucinations and psychosis in certain individuals, particularly with heavy or frequent use. Marijuana contains THC, the compound responsible for its psychoactive effects, and for some people, it can cause extreme alterations in perception, leading to what is sometimes referred to as “marijuana psychosis.” Marijuana-induced psychosis can involve hallucinations, delusions, and severe confusion. Symptoms may include visual distortions, feelings of paranoia, and detachment from reality. While these episodes are typically temporary, they can be highly distressing and lead to significant emotional and psychological harm. The risk of developing marijuana psychosis is higher for individuals with a predisposition to mental health issues, such as a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder.
For those who experience psychosis from marijuana, it may take time for the brain to fully recover. In some cases, prolonged or excessive use can trigger long-lasting mental health issues, making it harder for individuals to return to their baseline mental state. If you or someone you know is struggling with marijuana use and experiencing psychosis, it’s important to seek professional help. At PACE Recovery Center, we offer personalized care to address the underlying causes of substance use and provide the tools needed to overcome addiction, including the effects of marijuana use.
Providing a Way Out
Hallucinogenic drugs carry severe side effects that can stay with a person for more than a year after use. If you or someone you know exhibits some of the symptoms outlined in this guide, know that help is here when you’re ready.
We tailor our treatment options to cater exclusively to men’s needs. It includes uncovering the source of why you use it. And helping you develop the coping skills necessary to live a drug-free future. Learn about all the treatment options available to you by contacting the Pace Recovery Center today.
