LSD flashbacks

Abdel-Fattah AF, Matsumoto K, Gammaz FIA, Watanabe H. (1995). Flypothermic effect of harmala alkaloid in rats involvement of serotonergic mechanism. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 52(2) 421-26. Abraham FID. (1983). Visual phenomenology of the LSD flashback. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 40(8) 884-89. 

Markei H, Lee A, Hoimes RD, Domino EF. (1994). LSD flashback syndrome exacerbated by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants in adoiescents. J Pediatrics. Pt 1. 125(5) 817-19. Mascher E. (1967). Psychoiytic therapy Statistics and indications. In Neuropsychopharmacology,... 

Maikel H, Lee A, Holmes RD, Dom ino EF. Clinical and laboratory observatiais. LSD flashback syndrcme exacerbated by selective serotcnin reuptake inhibitcx antidepressants in adolescents. JFediatr (1994) 125, 817-9. 

Three patients with a history of lysergide (LSD) abuse experienced the new onset or worsening of the LSD flashback syndrome when given fluoxetine, paroxetine or sertraline. Grand mal convulsions occurred when one patient taking LSD was given fluoxetine. In contrast, one study found that SSRIs reduced or eliminated the subjective responses to LSD. 

The answer is b. (Kn.lzu.ng, p 5.38.) Crack is the free-base (nonsalt) form of the alkaloid cocaine. It is called crack because, when heated, it makes a crackling sound. Heating crack enables a person to smoke it the drug is readily absorbed through the lungs and produces an intense euphoric effect in seconds Use has led to seizures and cardiac arrhythmias. Some of cocaine s effects (sympathomimetic) are due to blockade of norepinephrine reuptake into presynaptic terminals it does not block receptors. Flashbacks can occur with use of LSD and mescaline but have not been associated with the use of cocaine. 

Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HPPD), commonly called flashbacks, are phenomena where the person reexperiences aspects of the hallucinogenic trip long after it has ended. This is reported by approximately 15% of LSD users. 

Other people thought the opposite that some of the LSD is sequestered in the brain for extended periods, possibly providing an explanation for flashbacks. Some believed that these small amounts of residual LSD could also cause brain damage. Additional research has fairly well refuted both beliefs. The possibility remains, however, that subtle changes at the sub-microscopic level, perhaps involving specific enzymes within nerve cells, might result from... 

In 1960, Dr. Sidney Cohen s meta-analysis of 25,000 LSD exposures (derived from a large number of published reports) indicated a surprisingly low incidence of flashbacks and a very low rate of suicide. Almost all of them occurred soon after LSD use suicides thereafter tended to reflect the incidence in the general population. 

Hallucinogens LSD (lysergide) Psilocybin, psilocin DMT, mescaline DOM, STP + Distortion of perception, mood, and thought -H-M- Neurotoxicity Flashbacks Toxic psychosis... 

Hallucinogens and NMDA antagonists, even if they do not produce dependence or addiction, can still have long-term effects. Flashbacks of altered perception can occur years after LSD use. Moreover, chronic use of PCP may lead to an irreversible schizophrenia-like psychosis. 

The three drugs, LSD, mescaline, and psilocybin are commonly called hallucinogens because of their ability to alter consciousness such that the individual senses things that are not present. They induce, often in an unpredictable way, perceptual symptoms, including shape and color distortion. Psychosis-like manifestations (depersonalization, hallucinations, distorted time perception) have led some to classify these drugs as psychotomimetics. They also produce somatic symptoms (dizziness, nausea, paresthesias, and blurred vision). Some users have reported intense reexperiencing of perceptual effects (flashbacks) up to several years after the last drug exposure. 

Flashbacks are an extremely disturbing aftereffect of use. LSD was first synthesized in 1943 by Albert Hoffman and was tested at one time by the Armed Forces as a possible incapacitating psychic agent. Its unpredictability and aftereffects made it of dubious worth. 

SSRI antidepressants, which include Prozac (fluoxetine), Zoloft (sertraline), and Paxil (paroxetine), usually decrease the effects of LSD when they are taken together. However, taking an SSRI antidepressant can bring on disturbing flashbacks in someone who has taken LSD in the past. 

Another reason LSD users sometimes require medical attention is because of flashbacks. There is no way to block flashbacks, so the best way to treat them is to help teach the individual how to cope with them. This involves explaining that the flashbacks are not dangerous or a sign of brain damage, and that the effects usually go away on their own quite quickly. Sometimes, people require psychotherapy to help them overcome the fear associated with flashbacks. 

AFTERSHOCK Similar to a flashback with LSD, this is the reoccurrence of symptoms associated with taking PCP days, weeks, or months after taking the drug. This happens because PCP is stored in fatty cells in the body. 

Even one dose of PCP can lead to aftershocks, which are similar to the flashbacks experienced by some LSD users. Aftershocks are a re-experiencing of some or all of the effects of PCP intoxication, and can occur weeks, or months after the drug was taken. They have a physical, not psychological, cause. PCP stays in the parts of the body high in fat or oil, like the brain, liver, and fat... 

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