Hallucinogen


 * __Hallucinogen__**


 * __LSD__**

I would initially like to discuss a little bit about LSD and what it does. LSD is ingested by the mouth and held on tongue or swallowed but people have also inhaled or injected the drug. Thirty to ninety minutes after ingestion the drug affects start take effect. The drug could last in the system for twelve hours. The effects are unpredictable and in what they can influence in the body, whether it be the mood, personality, expectations, or surroundings. LSD could cause other psychological effects that include; increased blood pressure, dizziness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating nausea, numbness, and tremors. The major areas LSD impacts are emotional and sensory (What are the effects of LSD?). LSD causes people to have vivid visual effects. Theses visual effects are referred to as “pseudo-hallucinogens” because users are aware that they are not real (LSD, lysergic acid diethylamide).

__**How Does LSD Affect People With Schizophrenia**__

An article posted by the government of Canada states LSD may also precipitate and exacerbate psychotic behaviour in individuals with a genetic predisposition or family history of psychotic disorders (LSD, Lysergic acid diethylamide).This explains that LSD does not cause any psychotic disorder or mental health illness it only would bring it on or enhance the symptoms. Another thing that LSD would affect in people with schizophrenia is their treatment for recovery. If the person is already taking other medications, then how is the LSD affecting that medication. Is it making it non effective? Also on the government of Canada website it stated LSD may also complicate the course of treatment for these individuals. (LSD, Lysergic acid diethylamide). LSD mimics schizophrenia very closely. It influences the same serotonin receptors that are imbalanced in schizophrenics. Not only does LSD produces the same symptoms as someone with schizophrenia but, inside the brain, it produces the same effect on the receptors. There is no known cause of psychosis but LSD can trigger the first episode of psychosis (Better Health Channel). This is the most common theme about schizophrenia and LSD. It triggers the first psychosis and therefore could lead to the person having more episodes of psychosis. In conclusion, LSD can bring on or induce psychotic behaviour, which could lead to someone developing schizophrenia.


 * __Ecstasy__**

Ecstasy is taken orally. The effects can be felt within twenty minutes of taking the drug and could last up to six hours. Depending on the person, some people have reported the effects to last as long as thirty-two hours. The effects of the drug include; self-confident, energetic, the feeling of anxious, paranoid, and depressed. After the high, they refer to this as “coming down”. This means the drug is excreting the body and some side effects during this process are loss of appetite, feeling very tired but inability to sleep, depression, and muscle aches (How Ecstasy Affects The Body).

__**How Ecstasy Affects People With Schizophrenia**__

Ecstasy affects people with schizophrenia by affecting the serotonin. People who have schizophrenia also have an imbalance of serotonin in their brains. When people experience psychosis or hallucinations this can be the first trigger that induces the likelihood of someone developing schizophrenia; particularly if predisposition runs in the family. It has been reported that persistent psychosis can occur after a single use. When on Ecstasy you can experience psychosis, hallucinations, and paranoia, which are all symptoms of someone who has schizophrenia. If the person is taking antidepressant medication and then does Ecstasy, it can cause some unpleasant effects such as increased heart rate, loss of coordination, nausea, and vomiting (Ecstasy: Effects on the body). People with schizophrenia that are on medications while ingesting any other medication can be dangerous but ingesting an illegal drug that you may not be positive what is in it, can cause a toxic interaction. There are prescription medications that are known to interact with ecstasy.