Lysergic Acid Diathylamide (LSD)

The most powerful and possibly the most widely used of the �mind-expanding�
drugs is LSD, a semi-synthetic alkaloid substance extracted from a fungus which
grows on rye, wheat, and other grains. It is an extremely potent drug, requiring
only a small amount to induce a �trip�. The effects of an average dose (about 100
micrograms) usually last from to twelve hours. One ounce is enough to provide
300,000 doses. LSD is encountered as liquid or powder. In its original state it is
colorless, odorless and tasteless. It is often put on or in: sugar cubes,
toothpicks, aspirin, crackers, postage stamps, or bread.

Physical effects of LSD include dilated pupils, a flushed face, increased

blood pressure, lowered temperature, profuse sweating, nausea, and a rapid
heartbeat. These effects disappear as the action of the drug subsides. Considerable
psychological effects on various levels are also triggered by the ingestion of LSD.
These are highly subjective, depending on mood, anxieties, tensions, dosage, and
the conditions under which the drug is taken.
The drug is not considered to be physically addicting because the body does
not develop a need for it nor experience physical sickness when it is withdrawn.
However, a psychological dependence may develop. The regular user will also build-
up a tolerance for the drug requiring an increased dosage to produce the desired
effect. The user may also suffer periods of acute anxiety or depression for varying
length of time after the trip. Recurrence of hallucinations (�flashbacks�) may
occur days, months, or even years after the last dose. Panic reactions to his
phenomenon have occasionally culminated in suicide.

LSD was first synthesized by a Swiss chemist. Albert Hoffman, in 3938. Five
years later, Hoffman accidentally discovered its mind altering properties while
performing an experiment. Its use spread rapidly both through legitimate research
and illicit trafficking, reaching its peak during the 1960�s.

PCP (Phencycidine), had leaped recently into the forefront of the drug scene.
Known in the streets as �angel dust� and numerous other exotic names, PCP has
become very popular among youthful drug users.
The effects of PCP vary widely. Although its exact physiological actions on
the body are not yet clear, PCP is known to affect the brain and the central
nervous system. In small doses, Phencyclidine causes sedation like most
depressants. In moderate doses, analgesia and anesthesia occur, characterized by
sensory disturbances. In large dose PCP may produce convulsions and coma leading
to death. Most persons using PCP experience a confused state characterized by
feelings of weight less ness, unreality, and hallucinations. Reports of difficulty
in thinking, poor concentration and preoccupation with death are frequent. Other
effects include nausea, vomiting, profuse sweating, involuntary eye movements
(nystagmus), double vision and restlessness. It has also been reported that PCP
users have increased rates of fetal loss, chromosome breakage and decreased
fertility.

More PCP users die from accidents caused by the strange behavior the drug
produces in them than from actual chemical effects of the drug itself. People on
PCP have drowned in shallow water because they are so disoriented they cannot tell
which way is up. Others have had auto accidents, fallen off from roofs and out of
windows because of the drug�s intoxicating effects. Some have died in fires because
PCP made them insensitive to the pain of burning and disoriented that they could
not escape from the flames.

Mescaline is the primary active ingredients of the peyote cactus. Lophophora

Williamsii Lemaire, a plant which has been employed by Indians in Northern Mexico
from the earliest recorded time. By the time of the Spanish conquest, peyote had
been adopted by a number of tribes who spanned the geographic distance from Central
America to Texas. In this setting, individuals ingested the mescaline-containing
peyote buttons to relieve fatigue and hunger and to treat victims of various
diseases. The dried tops were worn as amulets for protection against danger. In
tribal rites, mescaline was used in group settings to facilitate the achievement of
a trance state necessary for tribal dances.
The incidence of illicit mescaline use in the street has never been
accurately determined. The drug, in the form of the peyote buttons was available
for personal experimentation from the beginning of this century but it did not gain
much of a following until the 1960�s.

Peyote buttons average one to two inches in diameter. They are brown in color
and resemble the underside of a dried mushroom. They are occasionally found in the
illicit market. Because peyote has an intensely bitter taste, the buttons are
generally ground up into a dark brown powder held in clear gelatin capsules.

Psilocybin and Psilocyn. Psilocybin occurs naturally in several spc4bf

mushrooms, notably Psilocybin Mexicana, Albert Hoffman, and his colleagues at the
Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, Switzerland, who discovered LSD, isolated two
substances from Psilocybin Mexicana. Psilocyn was also found in small amounts, but
was equally active. These alkaloids have since been found present in numerous
varieties of mushrooms. Interestingly, Psilocybin is relatively unstable and upon
ingestion is converted to Psilocyn by the enzyme alkaline phosphates. Therefore, it
seems likely that Psilocyn is actually responsible for the drug effects accredited
to Psilocybin.

DOM STP. and DOM (methyl/dimethox/methyl/phenyl/ ethylamine), commonly known

as STP, is a synthetic drug which wa introduced to the drug scene in the early
spring of 1967. In 1964, Dr. Alexander T. Shulgin synthesized DOM while working on
the development of the series of methoxylated amphetamines for the Dow Chemical
Company. DOM, MDA (3-4-methylene-dioxyamphetamine) and MMDA (3-methoxy-4, 5-
methylenedioxy-amphetamine) are included in a group of some 28 psychoactive drugs
referred to as �psychotomimetic� amphetamines. The psychotomimetic amphetamines
display hallucinogenic activity and are chemically related to both mescaline and
amphetamine.

DOM has been estimated to be approximately 100 times more potent than
mescaline, but 30 to 50 times less potent than LSD. Effects reported by subjects in
clinical circumstances may be summarized as follows: nausea, appetite decrease
increased paresthesias (numbness); tensions; tremor; fatigue. Measured
physiological symptoms such as papillary dilation, increase deep tendon reflexes,
tremor and increased pulse rate present evidence of sympathomimetic stimulations.
Early in the course of the drug�s effects-drowsiness was noted with no apparent
direct control of nervous system stimulations. Increased pupil size, blood pressure
and increased pulse rate were more clearly related to subjects receiving higher
doses. Only three of eighteen subjects had a temperature increase of 1 degree
centigrade or more and all were on the higher doses. Although subjective feelings
of weakness were reported, none was detectable clinically. DOM/STP is very seldom
encountered in the street today.

DET (Diethytryptamine). DET is one of the latest hallucinogenic drugs to be

brought under control. It is a fast-acting synthetic analogue of DMT, and is
chemically related to bufotenine and psilocybin, although it is yet to be found in
plant life. DET is produced in both liquid and powder form and is not easily
manufactured in a laboratory. It does not have any reported therapeutic use.

DET causes a rise in blood pressure and may rupture small blood vessels in
the brain, There are no reports of its having over dose potential. Injecting a dose
of 50 or 60 milligram of DET causes visual distortions, dizziness and vague sense
of time. The experience may last two to three hours. For street use, parsley
tobacco, tea or marijuana leaves are soaked in DET solution, dried; and then either
smoked or ingested. Presently however, there is little demand for DET and its use
is rare.

DMT (Diethytryptamine). DMT is a short-acting hallucinogen found in the seeds

of a plant native to the West Indies and in parts of South America. The powdered
seeds have been used for centuries as a snuff-called-�cohoba�, used in religious
ceremonies to produce a state of mind which the Haitian natives claimed enabled
them to communicate with their gods. It is also produced synthetically by
clandestine chemists.

DMT is not taken orally. Instead its vapor is inhaled from smoke given off by
burning ground seeds or powder mixed with tobacco, parsley leaves, or even
marijuana. It can also be injected. The effects of a single dose � 6o to 150
milligrams last only from 45 to 60 minutes and will produce mainly hallucinations.
For this reasons, it is sometimes known as the �Businessman�s Trip� or �the lunch
hour trip.� DMT may cause psychological but not physical dependence. It may appear
as an orange liquid or orange crystal.

Ibogaine, an alkaloid, extracted from the roots of the Taber-manthe Ibiga

plant, which is native to Africa. This drug causes a rise in blood pressure and
stimulates the central nervous system in addition to rendering hallucinogenic
effects. No street dosage is reported for Ibogaine. In fact little information is
available on the drug. The drug is illegal because of its potential dangers, rather
than because of its past history of abuse. For all practical purposes, Ibogaine is
non-existent in the illicit market.

Bufotenine, is related chemically to DMT. It is also a recent addition to the

list of hallucinogens controlled under the Drug Abuse Control Amendments.
Bufotenine is derived from the dried glandular secretions of certain toads, from
the amanista fungus, and can also be found in the seeds and pods of the Cahobe bean
(Piptadenia peregrina), a shrub found in the northern parts of South America and in
the West Indies. However, Bufotenine can also be prepared in the laboratory.
Moderate doses will increase blood pressure, while abuse of the drug produce
hallucinations. Bufotenine is used as a snuff. Symptoms appear immediately.

Morning Glory Seeds. Ingestion of approximately 300 Morning Glory seeds may
cause hallucinations qualitatively similar to LSD. The effects are described as
mild with the �high� lasting from seven to fourteen hours. Like other naturally
occurring hallucinogens, Morning Glory seeds were used by American Indians. The
Indians ground the seeds to flour, which was then soaked in water. The moisture was
then strained and the liquid residue ingested. Dizziness and diarrhea are frequent
side effects. The active ingredients in Morning Glory seeds is believe to be
Lysergic Acid amide, an alkaloid chemically related to LSD. Morning Glory seeds are
a common garden item, and their possession is not illegal. Ingestion of Morning
Glory seeds was a fad a few years ago, but is almost unheard of at present.
Barbiturates

Barbiturates are classified into four categories based on the speed of onset
and the length of action. The long-acting barbiturates have a speed of onset
ranging from 30 to 60 minutes and a length of action extending up to eight hours.
Barbital and Phenobarbital are examples.

The intermediate-acting barbiturates take effect within 15 to 30 minutes and

last from four to six hours. Amobarbital and Butabarbital are examples.
Short-acting barbiturates produce an onset of action within 10 to 20 minutes
and remain effective for two to six hours. Penthobarbital and Secobarbital are
examples. The ultra-short-acting barbiturates have a speed of onset of 0-45 seconds
and a length of action of up to 30 minutes. Thiopental sodium is an example. The
short- and intermediate-acting barbiturates are the choice drugs of abuse due to
their speed of onset, the length of time the effects last, and the euphoria
produced by the drugs.

Although one can become addicted to barbiturates at normal dosage, use of

barbiturates can be continued for years without difficulty. However, prolonged use
of high doses leads to addiction and tolerance. More than 400 mg. per day can lead
to barbiturate poisoning, drug automatism, physical dependence and possibly death.
In conjunction with alcohol or some other drugs, there is also a potentiating
effect. If, for example, someone used secobarbital or pentobarbital in high doses,
such as 800 or 1000 mg daily (eight to ten capsules) for about ten weeks, he would
develop physical dependence. The daily doses used by some addicts may be as high as
fifteen capsules of 100 mg each, or 1500 mg.

During the treatment for barbiturate addiction, the dose of the barbiturate
is gradually lowered over a period of weeks while the patient is hospitalized. This
is done cautiously to avoid more serious withdrawal symptoms. During untreated
withdrawal, the addict may have more severe symptoms including delirium and severe
convulsions. Generally, the symptoms which an officer would notice in a barbiturate
user undergoing withdrawal would be similar to delirium tremors and morphine
withdrawal. In progression these withdrawal symptoms are:
Insomnia
Irritability
Anxiety
Hallucinations
Tremors
Nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pains

The barbiturate abuser can also overdose. The toxic or lethal dose for
barbiturates is essentially the same in addicts as in non-addicts. This differs
from Heroin addiction, since the heroin addict can tolerate much higher doses than
the non-addict. In other words, an increase tolerance correspondingly increases the
lethal dose. However, there is a potentiating effect when barbiturates are used in
conjunction with alcohol, or some other drugs. Generally, death from over dosage
with barbiturates is due to respiratory failure. In some cases, the patient may be
in a coma for days and death may ultimately result from heart failure or pneumonia.
The barbiturate abuser often has the appearance of drunkenness without the
odor of alcohol. For instance, he may appear drowsy and confused, his muscle
control may be impaired, which will result in poor coordination and a staggering
gait. His speech may also be slurred, his memory impaired and he may exhibit an
inability to concentrate.
Hypnotics

Hypnotics are compounds which affect the central nervous system by slowing
its activities. They may be natural or synthetic. Hypnotics can also be categorized
as DEPRESSANTS (producing or inducing sleep) Depressants are sometimes called
sedatives or producing a relaxed state that can lead to sleep. The second category
of hypnotics are the TRANQUILLIZERS, so called because they bring about relief of
anxiety, relaxation of muscles, and calming without sleep or drowsiness.

This class of drugs was first discovered in 1864 by Adolf von Baeyer, a
German chemist, who synthesized barbituric acid. Research led to the development of
the first hypnotic derivative of barbituric acid, called Barbital, in 1903. Since
that time, over 2,500 derivatives have been developed. Depressants have additional
legitimate medical uses, as anaesthetics for minor surgery, pre- and post-operative
sedation, and as anti-convulsants but there is also a withdrawal syndrome.
Withdrawal from non-narcotic depressants can be fatal and should be medically
supervised. These non-narcotic depressants can be divided into three main
categories: barbiturates, tranquilizers, and non-barbituric acid drugs.

Tranquillizers

Tranquillizers are commonly classified as either major or minor. Those

designated as major tranquillizers are generally not abused. Major tranquillizers
are used in the treatment of various psychoses, while minor tranquillizers are used
in the treatment of neuroses. The major tranquillizers are so named because of
their potent antipsychotic effects. Included in this group are the following:

What are Sedative-Hypnotics?

Sedative-Hypnotics (tranquilizers, sleeping pills, sedatives) are drugs which

depress or slow down body functions. These are drugs that can be dangerous when not
taken according to a physician�s instructions.