Hallucinogen, what is a hallucinogen? A hallucinogen is a drug that distorts how one feels, hears, sees, smells, tastes, and thinks. Other names for hallucinogens are psychedelic and mind-bending drugs. Some come from natural sources and others are made in laboratories. Some examples of natural hallucinogens are mescaline, Psilocybin, and DMT. Psilocybin comes from certain mushrooms. It is sold in tablet or capsule form so people can swallow it. The mushrooms themselves, fresh or dried, may

"Hallucinogens." World Book Encyclopedia. 1996,ed.

be eaten. DMT is another psychedelic drug that acts like LSD. Its effects begin almost immediately and last for 30-60 minutes. Mescaline comes from the peyote cactus and although it is not as strong as LSD, its effects are similar. Mescaline is usually smoked or swallowed in the form of capsules or tablets. (Hallucinogen 1).

An estimated 2,000 people, otherwise known as "deadheads' are in prison today. Why? For possession of drugs at Grateful Dead concerts. Grateful Dead concerts became easy targets for law-enforcement authorities to make drug busts. Undercover officers dressed in the usual clothing that most would wear to a concert to make the bust. They arrived dresses in tie-dye shirts, bandannas, and jeans (Deadheads 1-4).

Every drug has its own risk. For example, a hallucinogen such as marijuana has been found to contain over four hundred separate substances. The substances are then broken down into even more chemicals ("Hallucinogens"26). The most potent chemicals are attracted to, and accumulate in the fatty tissues, including the brain and reproductive organs. Some studies prove that frequent marijuana users may experience impaired short-term memory, learning abilities, and reproductive problems. Others say the use may contribute to the damage of the immune system, increases strain on the heart, delayed puberty, and chromosome damage. The effects do not happen to everyone. Some users do not face problems to those extents, but there are problems that many receive after using a lot of drugs. Heightened awareness of colors and patterns together with a slowed perception of time and distorted body image are some problems chronic drug users experience. Sensations may seem to "crossover," which gives a person a sense of "hearing" colors and "seeing" sounds. Some users may slip into a dreamlike state, which to them they might think it is okay to step out in front of an oncoming car. Hallucinogens can also leave the user in an emotional or confused state. Some might not know where they are. They might think they are in one place but they are not. If a person tries to help a user, it is not always so easy because the user feels

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