Hallucinogen Use Disorder
Hallucinogen
In 2014, approximately 246,000 Americans had a hallucinogen use disorder.
Hallucinogen
Hallucinogens can be chemically synthesized or may occur naturally.
Symptoms of hallucinogen use disorder include craving for hallucinogens, failure to control use when attempted, continued use despite interference with major obligations or social functioning, use of larger amounts over time, use in risky situations like driving, development of tolerance, and spending a great deal of time to obtain and use hallucinogens.
How does hallucinogens affect
the brain and body?
Hallucinogens can produce visual and auditory hallucinations, feelings of detachment from one’s environment and oneself, and distortions in time and perception.
Effects
Effects of hallucinogens can be unpredictable, and the same person can have different experiences with the same drug and dosage.
Body
Regular use of alcohol can disrupt a person's body chemistry as well. Drinking excess amounts of alcohol over time can cause liver problems like fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver. Higher doses and longer periods of drinking increase your risk for developing these problems.
Disrupting
Research suggests that hallucinogens work, at least in part, by temporarily disrupting communication between brain chemical systems throughout the brain and spinal cord.