Hallucinogen and alcohol abuse is spawned from the need to attain a level of high or euphoria. Many people indulge in various forms of drug abuse like hallucinogens, inhalant, and mixes such as marijuana and alcohol to increase the effect of the drug. Teenagers illegally purchase and party with easy-to-get drugs ranging from hallucinogen mixes like ketamine and ethanol to antidepressants such as morphine and alcohol to get into the “groove” this, of course, comes with negative health implications especially when highly potent hallucinogens are involved, such as mushrooms and alcohol.
So what are the effects of various hallucinogens on the body when mixed with alcoholic drinks?
Health Effects Of Hallucinogens And Drinking Mix
Hallucinogens are obtained from 3 sources; plant, mushrooms, and man-made chemical compounds. The solids or extracts swallowed in solid or liquid forms, snorted, injected intravenously, inhaled, and absorbed into the body through a laced medium.
LSD and alcohol
D-lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) with alcoholic drinks is one of the most dangerous hallucinogen mix in its category. The dangers of drugs and alcohol of this potency is that the drinking heightens the effect of the toxin. Ethanol is a depressant that impairs judgment and retards brain functions along with muscle coordination. LSD, the psychedelic drug imposes a psychological experience called a “trip”. Users experience the following;
- Anxiety
- Paranoia and hallucinations
- Drowsiness/sleepiness
- impaired judgment
- poor muscle coordination
- mood swings and irritability
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- dehydration and loss of appetite
Ketamine and alcohol
Ketamine alcohol mix provides a short-lived hallucinogenic effect which causes extensive psychological damages. Alcohol and ketamine are synergistic, producing similar effect that is heightened when taken simultaneously. Health implications of using ketamine and alcohol include:
- Lethargy
- Amnesia
- Psychosis
- seizures
- Impairment of motor functions
- Damage to internal organs (liver, kidney)
- Disorientation
- depression
- Insomnia
- Aggression and high irritability
- Possibility of cancer (throat, gastrointestinal, etc)
- Weakens the immune system
- Possibly death
Alcohol and ketamine enhances depressant effect and the inhibition of excitatory neurotransmitters is increasing the risk of driving or handling heavy/fragile machines. Ketamine alcohol withdrawal can be achieved with treatment interventions to avoid relapse or overdose due to tolerance built.
Ayahuasca and alcohol
Much like salvia and alcohol, the effect of ayahuasca extracts which contains the psychedelic dimethyltryptamine (DMT), when taken with alcoholic drinks can greatly affect the CNS. Negative effects of ayahuasca and alcohol include:
- Hyperthermia
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- palpitations
- Possible Cardiac arrhythmia
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Possible brain damage
Magic mushroom and alcohol
Psilocybin, also called magic mushroom, is a psychedelic schedule I compound that was recently approved for medical purposes for treatment of OCD, depression, addiction and others. Shrooms alcohol mix can lead to addiction due to its psychedelic effect and its ability to numb emotional pains.
What makes alcohol and mushrooms so bad? Mushrooms are a class of hallucinogens; these are substances that interfere with brain functions and have the ability to alter the nerves, chemical responses, and perceptions, creating a euphoria that increases imaginary sensations. Certain things that seem real may be unreal and vice versa. Alcohol and shrooms ingested together creates an elevated feeling well beyond safety limits and has extreme psychological effects that may be life-threatening.
On the onset, alcohol may help in decreasing the negative effect of mushrooms such as paranoia and queasiness, but this feeling quickly develops into something unhealthy and highly toxic. Psilocybin aka Magic mushrooms and alcohol, is commonly used among young adults for pleasure. This is often problematic as psilocybin and alcohol is addictive and can cause high levels of intoxication, psychological distress, and increases suicide tendencies. Misuse of Psilocybin alcohol extraction can lead to “bad trips” and affect serotonin levels.
Statistics On Hallucinogen And Drinking Combination
In the 2004 national drug use survey in Australia, it was found that 5% of the population between the age range of 14 and above had used hallucinogens at least once, with peak usage at ages 20-29.
Reports in 2013 on alcohol hallucinogens use have shown that LSD, PCP, and salvia were popular amongst Americans students aged 12 and above. Other countries with high prevalence include Brazil, Germany, Columbia, and many European countries. Ayahuasca users, in comparison with other alcohol with hallucinogens combo, reported lesser side effects, even though further research is ongoing.
Alcohol and shrooms are very common in the united states especially with college students aged 18-22. In 2014 one-third of the 12.4 million populations of college students in the United States had engaged in Ritalin and alcohol as well as other illicit drugs such as marijuana, hallucinogens, stimulants, and others. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) in conjunction with the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality (CBHSQ) have emphasized that drug combinations such as mixing alcohol and sleeping pills or any other form of the drug are harmful to health.
Bad Trips From Alcohol And Hallucinogen Combination
Hallucinogens may sometimes create adverse effects which stress the CNS using anxiety, intense hallucinatory effects, paranoia, bizarre behaviors such as panics and suicide attempts. Delusions may last longer than normal depending on individual factors. These negative conditions are referred to as bad trips. It can last for several hours and varies with the amount of substance used. When hallucinogens such as LSD and shrooms are used with alcoholic drinks by people who want to amplify their experience, often trips present with visual and auditory hallucinations imposing a feeling of fear and panic.
Serotonin Syndrome As A Result Of The Mix
The reaction of hallucinogens with ethanol can lead to the excess production of serotonin by the nerve cells in the brain. This reaction is potentially dangerous and occurs with a wide combination of drugs such as amphetamines, hallucinogens (LSD), cocaine and other antidepressants. Symptoms of serotonin syndrome include but not limited to;
- Irritation and restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heartbeats
- Tremors and sweating
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Fever
- Loss of consciousness
This condition requires immediate medical assistance as it could easily deteriorate into a life-threatening situation.
Treating Alcoholism And Hallucinogens Addiction
Frequent use of hallucinogens with alcoholic beverages can take a toll on the physical and mental health of the user. There are specific hallucinogens that are used as a treatment for alcoholism such as ibogaine however this substance is toxic to nerve cells when administered in large quantities. Most hallucinogens may not necessarily require detox, and they are not addictive but some of them, like the PCP, would require an inpatient/outpatient addiction program depending on the severity of the effect. Behavioral therapy, constant medication, and a support group would be effective to overcome the neurological effects of these drugs as well as full detoxification of harmful toxin and metabolites stored in the body.
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