Hallucinogen Addiction: Signs, Symptoms, Causes, Effects, Types and Treatment Options

Hallucinogen addiction refers to the compulsive use of hallucinogenic substances, which can lead to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. While most hallucinogens are not considered addictive in the traditional sense, certain substances, like PCP, can lead to addiction.

About 6 million American people aged 12 years or older were active users of hallucinogens in 2019, according to a 2020 report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

Signs of hallucinogen addiction include intense cravings, inability to fulfill responsibilities, increased tolerance requiring higher doses, and social withdrawal. Other symptoms may involve bizarre behavior, changes in appetite, and physical signs such as dilated pupils and rapid breathing. Withdrawal symptoms can include cravings, sweating, headaches, and flashbacks.

Risk factors for hallucinogen addiction include a family history of substance abuse, previous drug use, co-occurring mental health disorders, and exposure to environments where drug use is common. These factors often interact, increasing the likelihood of developing an addiction.

The effects of hallucinogen addiction can be severe and varied, including physical symptoms like increased heart rate and body temperature, as well as psychological effects such as anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations. Users may also experience “bad trips,” characterized by intense fear and panic.

Popular examples of hallucinogens used by people are LSD, peyote, MDMA, and psilocybin.

Treatment for hallucinogen addiction typically involves behavioral therapy and support group programs, as there are currently no FDA-approved medications for this disorder. Approaches may include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational enhancement, with treatment being either inpatient or outpatient based on professional recommendations.

What are Hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that are capable of causing hallucinations, distorting perception and altering mood so much that people hear sounds, see images, and feel sensations that are not real, according to the 2015 Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs Research Report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. There are usually two categories of hallucinogens – classic hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. Both categories of hallucinogens cause hallucinations. However, dissociative drugs may have greater effects such as giving users out-of-body experiences.

Are Hallucinogens Addictive?

Most hallucinogens are not addictive, and addiction to them is rare. However, they can lead to cravings, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. For example, the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that LSD does not cause compulsive drug-seeking behavior, so it is not classified as addictive, but it can create tolerance, potentially resulting in larger doses and overdose. In contrast, PCP is a hallucinogen that is considered addictive.

How Do Hallucinogens Work?

Hallucinogens work by affecting the brain in various ways, depending on the specific substance used. Despite their differences, hallucinogens within each category exhibit similar mechanisms. For example, classic hallucinogens disrupt neural circuits that involve serotonin, which alters mood, psychological processes, and sensory perceptions.

Conversely, associative drugs influence glutamate activity, an excitatory neurotransmitter that plays a role in cognition, emotion, and pain perception. User experiences are shaped by the type of hallucinogen, dosage, environment, and individual mood.

How Long Do Hallucinogens Stay in the Body?

The duration of hallucinogens remaining in the body varies based on several factors, typically ranging from 6 hours to 90 days, depending on the type of drug and the testing method used. Key factors influencing this duration include:

• Type of Hallucinogen: Different hallucinogens have varying metabolic rates and detection windows.
• Dosage: Higher quantities of hallucinogens can prolong their presence in the body.
• Biological Factors: Age, weight, and overall health can affect how long hallucinogens stay in the system.
• Testing Method: Hallucinogens may be detectable in urine for longer periods than in blood. For example, LSD can last 6 to 12 hours in blood, 2 to 4 days in urine, and up to 90 days in hair.

What Are The Symptoms or Signs of Hallucinogen Addiction?

The symptoms or signs of hallucinogen addiction include intense cravings, inability to fulfill obligations, changes in appetite, and the need for higher doses to experience similar effects. 

Besides, individuals may struggle to reduce or stop their use, experience social withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities, and spend excessive time thinking about or recovering from hallucinogens.

Here is a list of symptoms that are indications of a hallucinogen addiction:

• The continuous use of hallucinogens despite the physical or mental health problems they are causing
• Failure to meet responsibilities: if the use of hallucinogens is affecting important tasks, whether at work or home.
• Inability to control dosage or the period of use
• Failing relationships caused by the use of hallucinogens
• Cravings
• Higher doses are required to achieve the same effects
• Inability to stop or reduce the use of hallucinogens
• Social withdrawal, including people and activities individuals used to enjoy
• A lot of time is dedicated to thinking about, using, and recovering from hallucinogens
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Bizarre or erratic behavior
• Extreme changes in appetite
• Dilated pupils
• Depression
• Poor perception of time, space and distance
• Rapid breathing
• Coordination problems
• Paranoia

What are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Hallucinogen Addiction?

The withdrawal symptoms of hallucinogen addiction include cravings and sweating, along with other physical discomforts. Users may also face unexpected bodily reactions and heightened heart activity. For a comprehensive overview of these symptoms. Some of the most common withdrawal symptoms of hallucinogen addiction are:

• Cravings
• Sweating
• Headaches
• Flashbacks
• Stiff muscles
• Convulsions
• Drastic body temperature changes
• Rapid heart rate

What Are The Causes or Risk Factors of Hallucinogen Addiction?

The causes or risk factors of hallucinogen addiction include a family background of substance misuse, previous experiences with drug abuse, co-occurring mental health issues, and exposure to environments where drug use is prevalent. These factors contribute to an increased likelihood of developing an addiction to hallucinogens. Check the list below for more detailed information:

• Family history: trends have shown that individuals who come from a family with a history of substance abuse are more vulnerable to addiction.
• A history of substance use disorder: individuals who have previously abused substances are at a higher risk of getting addicted to hallucinogens.
• Mental health disorders: addiction and mental health disorders often occur together because one typically leads to the other. For instance, an individual with a mental health disorder is more likely to turn to drugs for relief.
• Environment: individuals who live in environments where drug abuse is rampant or live around people abusing hallucinogens are at a higher risk of developing hallucinogen addiction. The reasons include ease of access.

Typically, at least two of these factors work together before addiction develops. For example, someone from a family with a history of addiction gets exposed to hallucinogens.

What Are The Side Effects or Dangers of Hallucinogen Addiction?

The side effects of hallucinogens include sweating, chills, increased body temperature, numbness, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, and more. 

The side effects of hallucinogen addiction depend on several factors, such as the type of hallucinogenic drug taken, the person who took it, how much was taken, as well as if another drug(s) was used together with it. Some of the most common dangers of hallucinogen addiction are:

• Sweating
• Chills
• Increased body temperature
• Numbness
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Disorientation
• Blurry vision
• Paranoia
• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Increased breathing rate
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of coordination

Besides the dangers of hallucinogen addiction, individuals also often experience adverse reactions, called a “bad trip”, to hallucinogens. Such reactions include:

• Intense hallucinations
• Panic
• Anxiety
• Intense fear
• Paranoia
• Psychosis

What Substances Can Cause Hallucinogen Addiction?

Substances that can cause hallucinogen addiction include LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline, and DMT. Each of these hallucinogens has its own unique characteristics, leading to different effects.

The table below categorizes various hallucinogens into three groups: classic hallucinogens, dissociative drugs, and other hallucinogens.

Classic Hallucinogens	Dissociative Drugs	Other Hallucinogens
LSD	PCP	MDMA (Ecstasy/Molly)
Psilocybin	Ketamine	NBOMe
Peyote	Dextromethorphan (DXM)	Ibogaine
DMT	Salvia
Mescaline

LSD

LSD has very powerful hallucination effects, strongly altering the moods and perceptions of users. Sleepless, loss of appetite, increased breathing rate, heart rate, and blood pressure are some of the effects of LSD.

Psilocybin

Psilocybin has similar effects as LSD, strongly altering perceptions. It is found in mushrooms, popularly called ‘shrooms’. The acute effects of psilocybin include reduced amygdala response to negative affective stimuli, leading to reduced negative mood.

Ecstasy (MDMA/Molly)

It has strong hallucinogenic properties, as well as stimulant properties. Molly also enhances the perception of sensory input. Anorexia, paranoia, hyperthermia, and heat exhaustion are some of the side effects of molly.

Peyote

Mescaline is the active hallucinogen ingredient in peyote. It is capable of causing hallucinations and altering perceptions of space and time, among other effects. Increased blood pressure, paranoia, and excessive salivation are some of the side effects of peyote.

DMT

DMT has strong psychoactive effects that typically last up to 45 minutes. Ayahuasca is a very common DMT. Increased heart rate, chest pain, dizziness, and increased blood pressure are common side effects of DMT.

DMT, LSD, Peyote, and psilocybin are classic hallucinogens. Common dissociative drugs are:

PCP (Phencyclidine)

This synthetic drug alters the perception of pain and causes euphoria. Drop in blood pressure, shallow respiration, numbness of the extremities, and acute anxiety are some of the side effects of PCP. 

Ketamine

No taste or smell is associated with ketamine, hence it is sometimes used as a date-rape drug. It alters the perception of pain and causes the feeling of detachment from the body. When used with other CNS depressants or alcohol, individuals are at the risk of experiencing profound respiratory depression and even death. 

Salvia

Its main ingredient, salvinorin A, affects the way the brain’s neurons communicate, thereby causing intense hallucinations, feelings of detachment from the body, etc.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

DXM is an ingredient used in cold and cough medications. When used in high doses, users experience hallucinations and euphoria.

Other examples of hallucinogens are MDMA, NBOMe, and Ibogaine.

What Treatments are available for Hallucinogen Addiction?

The treatments available for hallucinogen addiction include behavioral therapy and support group programs. These techniques can enhance motivation for recovery, improve coping mechanisms, and reduce the risk of relapse. Treatment can be either inpatient or outpatient, depending on professional recommendations.

At the moment, there are no FDA-approved medications for treating hallucinogen use disorder. However, there are other types of treatments available for hallucinogen addiction recovery. They include:

Behavioral therapy: it is the most frequently used treatment type, with impressive effectiveness in treating substance use disorders. It includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational enhancement, contingency management. These techniques are capable of enhancing individuals’ resolve or motivation for recovery, improving coping mechanisms, and improving communication skills, increasing individuals’ ability to function properly in different areas of life, and reducing the risk of relapse.

Support group and 12-step programs: it entails a community of individuals in recovery sharing tips and guidelines. The support in these groups is important to recovery.

Treatment of hallucinogen addiction is either inpatient or outpatient, depending on the recommendations of professionals.

What Are the Similarities and Differences in The Treatment Options for Stimulant Addiction and Hallucinogen Addiction?

When examining the similarities and differences in the treatment options for stimulant addiction and hallucinogen addiction, it is evident that both types of addiction can result in withdrawal symptoms. However, the specific treatment approaches may vary. Stimulant addiction may be treated with medication, therapy, and support groups, while hallucinogen addiction may require a different combination of treatment methods, such as detoxification and cognitive behavioral therapy.

What Are the Similarities and Differences Between Cannabis Addiction and Hallucinogen Addiction?

Both Cannabis Addiction and Hallucinogen addiction involve a psychological dependence on the substance. However, Cannabis Addiction focuses on the use of marijuana, while Hallucinogen addiction involves a broader range of drugs that cause hallucinations, such as LSD and psilocybin. Treatment for both addictions may include therapy and support groups.

Can Hallucinogens Be Overdosed?

Yes. Hallucinogens can be overdosed, leading to fatal consequences, like physical injuries and suicide. The signs of a hallucinogen overdose vary, depending on the drug used. However, general symptoms of a hallucinogen overdose are depressed breathing, seizures, coma, and death (rare). Hence, it is imperative to get help immediately if you think an individual has overdosed on a hallucinogen.

How Can You Prevent Hallucinogen Addiction?

To prevent hallucinogen addiction, attention must be paid to the risk factors or causes. Individuals should also learn key life skills, such as healthy ways to cope with stress and other life events. You should also monitor your use of hallucinogens.

Is The Addiction Risk For Salvia Divinorum Higher Than Other Hallucinogens?

No. Salvia Divinorum appears to carry a lower risk compared to other Hallucinogens. including some other hallucinogens. While Salvia Divinorum addiction refers to the repeated and harmful use of the plant, current evidence suggests it has low potential for dependence. Unlike classic hallucinogens such as LSD or psilocybin, salvia acts on opioid receptors rather than serotonin systems, which may influence its abuse profile . Some clinical perspectives note the potential for a use disorder, but this remains less common than with other drug classes