Psychedelic drugs dangers

Finally, psychedelic therapy has been assailed as too dangerous. Very definitely, the evidence does not bear this out and in fact, when the drugs are administered by those thera-... 

In 1957 Dr. Humphry Osmond first coined the word "psychedelic" to describe the mind-expanding drugs, then familiar to only a small minority of researchers and "acid-heads." In these remarkably few years, this term—and the drugs it refers to— have become household words. Ominous headlines have warned us of their dangers, while Madison Avenue has revelled in the delights of the psychedelic sub-culture. 

The belladonna alkaloids are much more toxic than the indoles and phenethylamines. Furthermore, they are just plain dangerous, and the experiences they give are, at best, difficult to integrate with ordinary consciousness. Kava-kava seems to me more like alcohol than like the psychedelics, as does nitrous oxide, a general anesthetic with similar depressant qualities. PCP and ketamine are pharmacological curiosities, not related to other recreational drugs. Many users like the "dissociative" states they provide, but few find them truly psychedelic. Their toxicity and abuse potential are significant. 

The Use of Music in Psychedelic (LSD) Therapy," Helen L. Bonnie and Walter Pahnke, Journal of Music Therapy, 1972 Narcotics Nature s Dangerous Gifts, Norman Taylor (Dell, 1949, Laurel, 1966) Recreational Drugs, Young, Klein-Beyer and others (Berkeley Books, 1977)... 

The effects of psilocybin last for a few hours. Its physical effects include pupillary dilatation, flushing, nausea, tremor, pyrexia, hyper-reflexia, tachycardia, weakness, and dizziness (5). The psychedelic effects include visual and other types of hallucinations, including enhanced perception of colours, synesthesia, time slowing, and a sensation of ego fragmentation. Psilocybin also causes illusions of motion in otherwise stationary objects (6). Psychotic reactions ( bad trips ) can occur, accompanied by fear, panic, and dangerous behavior, especially when psilocybin is used in combination with other drugs and alcohol or by psychiatrically unstable patients. During such an attack, self-mutilation can occur (7). 

Another use for PCP seems to be as an additive to real psychedelics, to create phony "mescaline" or phony "psilocybin. Recent analysis has indicated PCP, speed and low-grade acid being sold as mescaline. If you try PCP and nothing seems wrong, our best advice is Be careful. This is a dangerous drug with high bummer potential, and overdose potential even when smoked ... 

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