Psychedelic drugs, such a LSD, psilocybin, and various other hallucinogens, are commonly misunderstood as “safe” drugs because they do not have the same propensity for addiction as “harder” drugs like opiates and stimulants. Psychedelics, however, carry a slew of possible risks to our mental and physical health. Short-term abuse of hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin can lead to increased heart rate, raised blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting. There’s also the potential for the psychological damage that comes with having a “bad trip”. A person can experience panic, paranoia, delusions, depression, and dissociation. Though a person is less likely to overdose on psychedelics, drugs like MDMA can cause an extreme rise in body temperature, leading to dehydration and heat exhaustion that can prove lethal. These dangers are increased when psychedelics are taken other drugs. For example, mixing DXM with MDMA can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially lethal complication that occurs when our serotonin levels rise to the point of overwhelming our brain, causing agitation, tremors, hallucinations, and/or coma. One of the greatest dangers, however, comes from the possibility of getting a substance that is mixed with more dangerous chemicals. Heroin, methamphetamine, and bath salts have been found to be contained in drugs marketed as psychedelics like LSD or MDMA. These drugs have the potential to cause immediate overdose or major health complications, blindsiding the user who assumed he was buying a “safer” drug. In the longer-term, there is a possibility of psychedelics triggering latent mental disorders like schizophrenia or depression, causing them to emerge earlier in our lives. Prolonged use of psychedelics can also lead to visual disturbances and paranoia even when one is not under the influence, a disorder known as toxic psychosis. Psychedelic drug use may not be as harmful as the use of drugs like heroin, cocaine, or alcohol. Yet, as men and women in recovery, we have made a decision to abstain from mind and mood-altering chemicals. It’s important to note that most research into psychedelics examine their effects on men and women who do not necessarily suffer from the disease of addiction. We know from experience what happens when we put these substances in our body. As men and women in recovery, we are armed with the facts about ourselves and our disease. Our dedication to sobriety is strong enough that we know we cannot take unnecessary risks by engaging in any form of drug-use, regardless of its perceived “safety”.
You can make the choice to change the story of your life. Oceanfront Recovery is a treatment center with a professional and compassionate staff of detoxification specialists dedicated to making the process as comfortable as possible. For more information about Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs or other treatment options, please call: (877) 279-1777
