Hallucinogens

This information is copied from the Drug Facts section of the Office of National Drug Control Policy web site, www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/index.html.

Overview

Hallucinogenic substances are characterized by their ability to cause changes in a person's perception of reality. Persons using hallucinogenic drugs often report seeing images, hearing sounds, and feeling sensations that seem real, but do not exist. In the past, plants and fungi that contained hallucinogenic substances were abused. Currently, these hallucinogenic substances are produced synthetically to provide a higher potency.

Commonly abused illicit hallucinogens include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), phencyclidine (PCP), psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), and 5-MeO-DIPT (Foxy).

LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. It is sold on the street in tablets, capsules, and occasionally in liquid form. LSD is an odorless and colorless substance with a slightly bitter taste that is usually ingested orally. It is often added to absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and divided into small decorated squares, with each square representing one dose.

PCP is a bitter tasting, white crystalline powder that can dissolve in water. PCP is most often snorted, smoked, or ingested in a pill form. The powder form of PCP can be easily mixed with dyes and often appears on the street in various colors whether sold as a tablet, capsule, liquid, or powder.

Psilocybin is obtained from certain mushrooms found in South America, Mexico, and the U.S, although the substance can also be produced synthetically. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are available fresh or dried with long, narrow stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside. These mushrooms are usually ingested orally, but can also be brewed in a tea or added to food to mask the bitter flavor. Once ingested, psilocybin is broken down in the user's body to produce psilocyn, another hallucinogenic substance.

Mescaline is the active hallucinogenic ingredient in peyote. Peyote is a small, spineless cactus historically used by natives in Mexico and the southwestern U.S. as part of religious rites. Mescaline can also be produced synthetically.

DMT is found in a number of plants and seeds, but can also be produced synthetically. DMT is usually ingested by snorting, smoking, or injecting the drug. DMT is not effective in producing hallucinogenic effects when ingested by itself and is therefore used in conjunction with another drug that inhibits its metabolism.

AMT and Foxy are synthetic hallucinogens that are relatively new drugs of abuse. Reports of their abuse are limited throughout the U.S., but are sometimes seen in raves and clubs. Foxy, also know as Foxy Methoxy, is available in powder, capsule, and tablet form and is usually ingested orally (although it can be snorted or smoked). Foxy capsules and tablets vary in color and logos sometimes appear on tablets. AMT is often found in tablet and capsule form.

Additionally, licit drugs can be used to produce hallucinogenic effects. Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a cough suppressant, available over-the-counter in cough and cold medications, that is commonly abused to produce hallucinations and a sense of disassociation when taken in large doses. Coricidin, often referred to as Triple C, contains DXM.

Extent of Use

According to the 2003 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 34.4 million Americans aged 12 and older reported trying hallucinogens at least once during their lifetimes, representing 14.5% of the population. Approximatley 3.9 million (1.7% of the population) reported past year hallucinogen use and 1.0 million (0.4%) reported past month ("current") use of hallucinogens.

The 2003 NSDUH also provides specific results for LSD and PCP use. Concerning LSD, 24.4 million Americans (10.3% of the population 12 and older) reported lifetime use, 558,000 (0.2%) reported past year use, and 133,000 (0.1%) reported past month use. Concerning PCP, 7.1 million (3.0%) reported lifetime use, 219,000 (0.1%) reported past year use, and 56,000 (0.0%) reported past month use.

Among students surveyed as part of the 2004 Monitoring the Future study, 3.5% of eighth graders, 6.4% of tenth graders, and 9.7% of twelfth graders reported using hallucinogens at least once during their lifetimes. In 2003, these percentages were 4.0%, 6.9%, and 10.6%, respectively.

Percent of Students Reporting
Hallucinogen Use, 2003-2004

Approximately 1.8% of eighth graders, 2.8% of tenth graders, and 4.6% of twelfth graders surveyed in 2004 reported lifetime use of LSD.¹⁷

Percent of Students Reporting LSD Use, 2003-2004

Among high school seniors surveyed in 2004, 1.6% reported lifetime use of PCP (PCP use among eighth graders and tenth graders is not collected as part of the Monitoring the Future study).

Percent of Twelfth Graders Reporting
PCP Use, 2003-2004

During 2003, 14.5% of college students and 19.7% of young adults (ages 19-28) reported using hallucinogens at least once during their lifetimes. Approximately 7.4% of college students and 5.2% of young adults reported past year use of hallucinogens, and 1.8% of college students and 1.2% of young adults reported past month hallucinogen use.

Approximately 8.7% of college students and 14.6% of young adults surveyed in 2003 reported lifetime LSD use. The use of LSD in the past year was 1.4% for college students and 1.2% for young adults. Approximately 0.2% of college students and young adults reported past month LSD use. Three percent of young adults reported lifetime PCP use, 0.3% reported past year PCP use, and 0.1% reported past month PCP use. PCP use data are not available for college students.

Health Effects

Hallucinogens can produce physiological effects including elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and dilated pupils. These drugs are often unpredictable and a user may experience different effects compared to other users or past usage. Users often experience changes in perception, thought, and mood.

The effects of LSD are unpredictable. They depend on the amount of the drug taken; the user's personality, mood, and expectations; and the surroundings in which the drug is used. Usually, the user feels the first effects of the drug within 30 to 90 minutes of ingestion. These experiences last for extended periods of time and typically begin to clear after about 12 hours. The physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. Sensations may seem to "cross over" for the user, giving the feeling of hearing colors and seeing sounds. If taken in a large enough dose, the drug produces delusions and visual hallucinations.

The effects of PCP use are unpredictable, can be felt within minutes of ingestion, and can last for many hours. Physical effects can include shallow, rapid breathing; increased blood pressure; elevated heart rate; and increased temperature. Nausea, blurred vision, dizziness, and decreased awareness can also occur. High doses of PCP can cause convulsions, coma, hyperthermia, and death. PCP is an addictive drug that can cause psychological dependence, cravings, and compulsive drug seeking behaviors.

Physical effects of psilocybin are usually experienced within 20 minutes of ingestion and can last for 6 hours. Negative physical symptoms of psilocybin use can include vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and panic reactions. Frequent use of this drug can result in the development of a tolerance.

AMT and Foxy share many chemical and pharmacological characteristics with other Schedule I hallucinogens and produce similar effects. Effects include hallucinations, visual and auditory distortions, euphoria, and emotional distress. Users may experience negative effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

DXM can cause effects similar to PCP when used in high doses. The effects of the drug usually last for 6 hours. Risks associated with ingesting this drug include hyperthermia, abdominal pain, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, headache, loss of consciousness, seizures, brain damage, and death.

According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) emergency department (ED) data for 2002, there were 891 mentions of LSD, 7,648 mentions of PCP, and 1,428 mentions of miscellaneous hallucinogens in emergency departments reporting to DAWN. More than 300 visits to the ED because of LSD were there because of an unexpected reaction to the drug

Reason for Emergency Department Contact,
by Drug Type, 2002

During 2002, there were 4,334 visits to the ED for PCP that were treated and released.

Patient Disposition During ED Visit,
by Drug Type, 2002

Treatment

During 2002, there were 2,795 total admissions to substance abuse treatment facilities for hallucinogens, representing 0.1% of all treatment admissions. This is a decrease from the 3,121 admissions for hallucinogens during 2001. Hallucinogens include LSD, DMT, dimethoxyphenylethylamine (STP), mescaline, psilocybin, and peyote. During 2002, there were 3,854 treatment admissions for PCP, representing 0.2% of all treatment admissions. This was an increase from the 3,133 admissions for PCP during 2001.

Arrests and Sentencing

On March 31, 2003, William Leonard Pickard and Clyde Apperson were found guilty of one count of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than 10 grams of LSD from August 1999 to November 2000 and one count of possession with the intent to distribute more than 10 grams of LSD on November 6, 2000. The case involving these two individuals included the largest LSD lab seizure ever made by the DEA. Agents seized 41.3 kilograms of LSD and 23.6 kilograms of iso-LSD, a by-product from the manufacture of LSD. In the history of the DEA, there have only been 4 seizures of complete LSD labs. Three of these seizures involved Pickard and Apperson.

Since 2001, AMT and Foxy have been seized by law enforcement in Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia, Washington, and in the District of Columbia. During March 2002, three men were arrested by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute Foxy and AMT. These men had over 200 grams of 98% pure Foxy and 22 pounds of cutting agents that were estimated to produce between 9,000 and 14,000 tablets.

In November 1999, the DEA in conjunction with other Federal agencies seized an indoor psilocybin mushroom growing operation. This seizure included 66 pounds of dried mushrooms and 100 pounds of fresh mushrooms.

Production and Trafficking

LSD is illegally manufactured within the United States by a small number of chemists located in Northern California and the Midwest. Prices for LSD range from $1–$12 per dosage unit, and generally sell for $5 per dosage unit. LSD is distributed by mail orders, creating a market place where sellers and buyers do not know each other. This level of anonymity causes problems for law enforcement investigating the trafficking. LSD has also been historically distributed at rock concerts, but is more recently available at raves.

PCP is clandestinely manufactured using ingredients that are inexpensive and easy to obtain. Prices for PCP range from $5-$15 for tablets, $20–$30 for a gram of powder PCP, and $200–$600 for an ounce of liquid PCP.

A gram of AMT or Foxy, in bulk powder form, costs less than $150 and can be obtained via the Internet. Dealers have tried to capitalize on the club drug trend and are selling non-controlled synthetic substances in raves and nightclubs.

Psilocybin mushrooms are difficult to grow and store. Suppliers of this drug usually operate independently and distribute locally. Mushrooms can vary in price, but usually sell for $20 per 1/8 ounce and $100–$150 per ounce.

DXM is available in over the counter medications that are often readily available to youth. DXM powder, which is usually snorted or swallowed (in capsules), is sold through the Internet.

Legislative History

LSD is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), meaning it has a high potential for abuse, there is no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and there is a lack of accepted safety for use of the substance under medical supervision.

PCP is a Schedule II substance under the CSA. Schedule II substances indicate that the drug has a high potential for abuse, is currently accepted for medical use in treatment in the United States, and may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Psilocybin and psilocyn are both Schedule I substances under the CSA although mushrooms are not scheduled under the CSA. Mescaline, peyote, and DMT are also Schedule I substances under the CSA.

In April 2003, the DEA temporarily designated Foxy as a Schedule I substance under the CSA. AMT was also placed under a temporary designation as a Schedule I substance by the DEA in 2003.

DXM is not an illegal substance, although the DEA may add it to the CSA because of its frequent abuse.

Terminology