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![]() From the DirectorDrugs with street names like acid, angel dust, and vitamin K distort the way a user perceives time, motion, colors, sounds, and self. These drugs can disrupt a person's ability to think and communicate rationally, or even to recognize reality, sometimes resulting in bizarre or dangerous behavior. Hallucinogens such as LSD cause emotions to swing wildly and real-world sensations to assume unreal, sometimes frightening aspects. Dissociative drugs like PCP and ketamine may make a user feel disconnected and out of control. In addition to their short-term effects on perception and mood, LSD is associated with psychotic-like episodes that can occur long after a person has taken the drug, and PCP and ketamine can cause respiratory depression, heart rate abnormalities, and a withdrawal syndrome. Use of LSD and other hallucinogens by secondary school students has declined since 1998, but ketamine and LSD are becoming more widely used at dance clubs and all-night raves by older teens and young adults. NIDA research is developing a clearer picture of the dangers of these mind-altering drugs. We have compiled the scientific information in this report to inform readers and to strengthen prevention and treatment efforts. Alan I. Leshner, Ph.D. Printed 2001 ![]() This report is also available in PDF format, Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs, [PDF format, 256 KB] All materials appearing in the Research Reports Series are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission from NIDA. Citation of the source is appreciated. 1747969since 3/2/01. |
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