THESIS STATEMENT
Abuse of hallucinogens may cause the users physical, emotional, mental or psychological damage.
INTRODUCTION
Hallucinogens are used in medication and intoxication in some countries specifically in Asia long before. This research will discuss about the causes and effects resulted by the use of hallucinogens. I. Hallucinogens A. Description/Definition of Hallucinogens B. Examples of Hallucinogens II. Reasons For the Use of Hallucinogens A. For Medical Use B. For Other Use III. Effects of Use of Hallucinogens A. Beneficial Effects 1. Physical Effects 2. Mental Effects B. Harmful Effects 1. Physical Effects 2. Mental Effects IV. Laws and Sanctions in Prohibiting the Use of Hallucinogens A. Republic Act No. 7394 B. Republic Act No. 6425 C. Republic Act No. 9165.
CONCLUSION Hallucinogens are not all bad. It has good effect to the body and it can be also used in human medication and veterinary setting but should be taken in enough amount/dosage. They usually are in form of crystalline powder in its pure state.
INTRODUCTION
Drug addiction is common problem to the different parts of the world. In Filipino community, news on the television and radio says about the PDEA (Philippine Drug) or other government agencies that concerns about drug and health executed a drug raid or clearing to a barangay, house or etc.
Hallucinogens are used in medication and intoxication in some countries specifically in Asia long before. Yet many parts at the world would strongly consider hallucinogen as an illegal substance. The probable reason for the use of these substances is the pleasure sensation given by the drug to its user. Users would say that hallucinogen help them in releasing stress and gives satisfaction. The substance even makes the host disregard the destruction it may cause to the body. This research will discuss about the causes and effects resulted by the use of hallucinogens. This research will discuss about the reasons and effects of using hallucinogens. This research will also discuss what makes hallucinogen, the subject under study, a “life-destructing drug”. Information is to be gathered from magazines, dictionaries, encyclopedias, online articles, and other different types of publications. The information gathered is to be discussed in order then to make a proper and objective conclusion.
HALLUCINOGEN
Hallucinogens as a family of drugs that affect sensory perception, mood and thought processes. Hallucinogen use can cause perceptions of things that are not actually there, or cause distorted perceptions of real objects and events. Hallucinogens are used in medication and intoxication in some countries specifically in Asia long before. (Microsoft Encarta, 2009) Hallucinogens, also called psychedelics, affects sensation , thinking, self-awareness, and emotion. (Panopio) Hallucinogens produce sensory experience that represents a “reality” not verifiable to those who are not under influence of the drug. Hallucinogens are the second most frequently used illicit drug in the United States after marijuana, with 10% of the adult population (about 2.1 million people) having tried them at least once. (Bonson, p.1) Hallucinogens increase blood pressure, visual distortion, mood swings and paranoia. Examples of hallucinogen are LSD, PCP, angel dust, and ecstasy. (http:// alcoholism.about.com)
Some hallucinogens distinguished and described in an online article of the ADF (Australian Drug Foundation) are LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), PCP (phencyclidine), magic mushrooms (psilocybin), ketamine, mescaline (peyote cactus), morning glory seeds, and datura. LSD is a very powerful drug, so only very small doses are usually taken. In its pure state, LSD is a white odorless powder and comes in the form of squares of gelatine or blotting paper that have been dipped or soaked in LSD. It is also called as acid, trips, tabs, microdots and dots. Magic mushrooms are said to look much like ordinary dried mushrooms, or they come as powdered material in capsules. Synthetic psilocybin appears as a white crystalline powder. Magic mushrooms are usually eaten fresh, cooked or brewed into a 'tea'. Ketamine hydrochloride; also called as special K, K, ket, kitkat, and super K; is a white crystalline powder that can be made into tablets, or dissolved in liquid. Sometimes, Psilocybin and Ketamine are smoked with other drugs such as cannabis or tobacco. Mescaline, in the other hand, comes from the peyote cactus, Lophophora williamsii. It is also called as cactus, cactus buttons, cactus joint, mesc, and mescal. In its pure state, mescaline sulphate is a white crystalline powder. Synthetic mescaline may appear as different colored powders.
Hallucinogenic drugs (also other illegal drugs) are given pseudo names to avoid the authorities’ attention. They are usually ingested, swallowed, sniffed, injection, and sometimes, mixed into liquids. By the description given above, we can say that hallucinogens in their pure state are in a form of crystalline powder. (Arañas & Trajano)
Reasons for the Use of Hallucinogens
There are various reasons for the use of these drugs. Some are used for medical use, rituals and etc. (Arañas & Trajano)
In the former article also said that Ketamine was developed in 1963, and used in human anesthesia and veterinary medicine. Halpern (1996) assumed that conscious-expanding hallucinogen including LSD, peyote, ayahuasca and others, can serve to counteract the consciousness-contracting and fixating effect of the addictive narcotics or stimulants.
Cannabis is used as analgesic in surgery during the early times. LSD is beneficial if one want to be himself/herself, to have rich inner experience and a chance for further development of one’s personality. Cannabis was also used for “clearing the head and stimulating the brain to think” during meditation. While in rituals of the “Peyote Cult”, they start off smoking tobacco and praying while staring at the “Father Peyote” and the fire. The peyote is then passed and each participant takes four buttons. The leader then sings with accompaniments. The accompaniments are then passed like the peyote in each participant. Peyote continually eaten, but the amount depends to the individual. They stress that, “One must be conscious of his personal inadequacy, humble, sincere I wanting to obtain the benefits of the peyote and concentrate on it.” He mentioned that a peyonist not only seek contact with the higher spirits, but also strive to resolve personal conflicts. (McGlothlin, p.35)
There are numerous kinds of set-and-setting rituals using hallucinogens in the modern Western world, ranging from the casual, recreational “tripping” of a few friends to “rave” events of hundreds or thousands, combining Ecstasy (MDMA) with the continuous rhythmic pulse of techno music. My own research has focused on what might be called neoshamanic medicine circles, which represent a kind of hybrid of the psychotherapeutic and traditional shamanic approaches. In the past dozen years or so I have been a participant and observer in over 100 such circle rituals, in both Europe and North America, involving several hundred participants, many of them repeatedly. Plant entheogens used in these circle rituals have included psilocybe mushrooms, ayahuasca, San Pedro cactus, iboga and others. (Metzner, p.8)
Effects of Hallucinogens
In an issue of ‘Research Report’ Series, discussed about how some hallucinogens work in the body specifically in the human nervous system. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) binds and activate a specific receptor for the neurotransmitter, serotonin. Because serotonin has a role in many of the brain’s functions, activation of its receptors by LSD produces widespread effects, including rapid emotional swings, and altered perceptions, and if taken in a large enough dose, delusions and visual hallucinations. While MDMA (Methylenedioxy Amphetamine) causes serotonin to be released from neurons in greater amounts than normal and when released, this serotonin can excessively activate serotonin receptors. Scientists have shown that MDMA causes excess dopamine to be released from dopamine-containing neurons. Particularly alarming is research in animals that has demonstrated that MDMA can damage and destroy serotonin-containing neurons. MDMA can cause hallucinations, confusion, depression, sleep problems, drug craving, severe anxiety, and paranoia. PCP (Phencyclidine) can affect many neurotransmitter systems. It interferes with the functioning of the neurotransmitter, glutamate, which is found in neurons throughout the brain. Like many other drugs, it also causes dopamine to be released from neurons into the synapse. At low to moderate doses, PCP causes altered perception of body image, but rarely produces visual hallucinations. PCP can also cause effects that mimic the primary symptoms of schizophrenia, such as delusions and mental turmoil. People who use PCP for long periods of time have memory loss and speech difficulties. (NIDA, p.3)
PCP exposure has been associated with poor attention, rigid muscles and decreased reflexes in infants. Infants exposed to hallucinogens prior to birth are at risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms once they are no longer exposed to the drug.
Children prenatally exposed to hallucinogens are at increased risk for experiencing functional and behavioural impairments. (AHS, p.2)
Julien (2005) stated that hallucinogens produce a wide range of effects, depending on the properties, dosage, and potency of the drug, the personality and mood of the drug taker, and the immediate environment. Visually, perception of light and space is altered, and colors and detail take on increased significance. If the eyes are closed the drug taker often sees intense visions of different kinds. Nonexistent conversations, music, odors, tastes, and other sensations are also perceived. The sensations are often either very pleasant or very distasteful and disturbing. The drugs frequently alter the sense of time and cause feelings of emptiness. For many individuals the separation between self and environment disappears, leading to a sense of oneness or holiness.
The effects sometimes referred to as a "trip," can last from an hour to a few days. "Bad trips," full of frightening images, monsters, and paranoid thoughts are known to have resulted in accidents and suicides. Flashbacks (unexpected reappearances of the effects) can occur months later.
Physiologically, the drugs act as mild stimulants of the sympathetic nervous system, causing dilation of the pupils, constriction of some arteries, a rise in blood pressure, and increased excitability of certain spinal reflexes. Many hallucinogenic drugs share a basic chemical structural unit, the indole ring, which is also found in the nervous system substance serotonin. Mescaline has chemical similarities to both the indole ring and the adrenal hormone epinephrine. One of the effects of regular use of drugs is to build a tolerance to the drug. ICSDP (p.5) Tolerance to LSD can develop very quickly. This means that the effect of the drug to the user is reduced. And eventually in respond, the user would take more drug and overdose. Regular users of LSD can become psychologically dependent. They feel like they need the drug and it becomes the centre of their lives. Without it, they get anxious or even panicky.
Laws and Sanction in the Use of Illegal Drugs
Under the Republic of the Philippines: * Republic Act No. 7394 The Consumer Act of the Philippines Article 33 Banned or Restricted Drugs - Banned or severely restricted drugs for health and safety reasons in their country of origin shall be banned and confiscated or its uses severely restricted, whichever is appropriate, by the Department. The Department shall monitor the presence in the market of such drugs and cause the maintenance and regular publications of an updated consolidated list thereof. * Republic Act No. 6425 of April 4, 1972 The Dangerous Drugs Act Of 1972. * Republic Act No. 9165: An Act instituting The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act Of 2002, Repealing Republic Act No. 6425, otherwise known as The Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, as amended, providing funds therefore, and for other purposes.
CONCLUSION
Hallucinogens are not all bad. It has good effect to the body and it can be also used in human medication and veterinary setting but should be taken in enough amount/dosage. They usually are in form of crystalline powder in its pure state.
It has a great effect to the human nervous system that results to hallucination, imagination of things that doest really exist. The imagination can be pleasurable or tormenting.
These illegal drugs also had caused “Drug Wars” are caused mortality to many people involved and not involved to its industry.
The probable reason for the use of these substances is the pleasure sensation given by the drug to its user. The substance even makes the user disregard the destruction it may cause to the body.
Hallucinogen addiction like natural calamity causes destruction to life and property. The one difference is that bad effects caused by hallucinogens are can be avoided by helping each other with the hand of the government. This means that the government has a responsibility to stop the spread and to put end to the hallucinogen industry and limit its use for medication only.
WORKS CITED
A. BOOKS
McCagny, Charles H. Deviant Behavior: Crime, Conflict and Interest Group. 2nd Edition New York. MacMillan Publication London: Collier MacMillan Pub. 1985. p. 257.
Panopio, Isabel. Sociology 1: Focus on the Philippines. 2nd Edition. Ken Inc. Quezon City 1978
B. MULTIVOLUME WORKS AND SERIES
Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs. NIDA. NIH Publication Mar. 2011:01-4209.
C. JOURNALS
Metzner, Ralph, Ph.D. “Hallucinogenic Drugs and Plants in Psychotherapy and Shamanism”. Vol. 30. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. San Francisco.1998.
D. MAGAZINES
Halpern, J. The Use of Hallucinogens in Treatment of Addiction. Addiction Research 4(2):177-89.1996.
E. BOOK REVIEWS
ICSDP. Effect of Drug Law Enforcement on Drug- Related Violence: Review from Scientific Evidence. Vancouver. 2010. p.5.
