Hallucinogen Addiction | Signs, Symptoms and Effects

Hallucinogens have a reputation for opening the mind and sparking new ways of thinking, but the flip side of these “trips” can be anything but enlightening. Though not as widely discussed as other forms of drug addiction, hallucinogen addiction can be just as destructive, leading to long-term damage to your mental and physical health. Every hallucinogenic drug brings its own risks but the common thread is their unpredictability and potential for harm. If you or someone you know is struggling with hallucinogen addiction, it’s vital to understand the risks and seek support before it’s too late.

What is a hallucinogen?

Hallucinogens are drugs that change the way your brain communicates, leading to altered experiences of the world. They can cause you to see, hear or feel things that seem real but are not, create dramatic changes in the way you think and disrupt your normal brain functioning in ways that can feel profound or disorienting.

There is a huge range of hallucinogens with different effects known as “trips” but they can be generally put into two categories:

Classic hallucinogens, such as LSD, magic mushrooms, DMT and mescaline. These cause intense shifts in your thoughts and feelings and can make you see and hear things that are not really there.
Dissociative drugs, like ketamine, PCP and DXM. These hallucinogens can make you feel disconnected from yourself and your surroundings as if you’re floating outside your own body or observing life from a distance.

Potential hallucinogen effects

Hallucinogen effects can be intense and unpredictable with experiences varying based on the hallucinogen taken, the dose and your and your mindset going in. Generally speaking, hallucinogens blur the boundaries between what’s real and imagined, creating intense psychological and physical reactions that may include:

Psychological hallucinogen effects

Time and space distortions: You might lose track of time or feel like the world around you is bending or warping.
Vivid visuals: These include bright colours, strange patterns and even full-on hallucinations of things that aren’t really there.
Intense emotions: Feelings of joy or fear can be magnified, sometimes swinging from one extreme to the other.
Scattered thinking: Your thoughts can become jumbled, leading to confusion or a sense of separation from reality.

Physical hallucinogen effects

Nausea and vomiting: This can happen with certain hallucinogens, particularly when they are eaten or drunk.
Elevated heart rate: Substances like LSD can ramp up your heart rate and blood pressure to potentially dangerous levels.
Loss of coordination: You may feel unsteady or have trouble keeping your balance which can lead to accidents.

These intense hallucinogen effects can lead to dangerous situations, particularly during a “bad trip,” where fear and confusion can take over and leave you extremely vulnerable.

What is hallucinogen addiction?

There is a common misconception that it is not possible to develop an addiction to hallucinogens. However, while hallucinogens don’t usually create the same intense physical cravings or withdrawal symptoms as other drugs, that doesn’t mean they can’t be addictive.

What sets hallucinogen addiction apart is the way these drugs can hook into your mind. People often begin using hallucinogens to explore different realities, push the boundaries of their senses or escape from the stresses of life.

Over time, however, the desire to keep having those same experiences can lead to repeated use, even when it starts causing more harm than good. This psychological dependency can be very hard to shake without the right help which leaves you locked into hallucinogen addiction.

There are many potentially addictive hallucinogens but two of the most common conditions seen at Recovery Lighthouse include:

LSD addiction: LSD can hook you with its intense, mind-altering effects, causing you to seek out those experiences again and again. This can trap you in a cycle of psychological dependence and abuse which usually requires professional LSD addiction treatment to break.
Ketamine addiction: A relatively unique form of hallucinogen addiction which causes both psychological dependency and physical withdrawal symptoms if you try to cut down or quit.

How to spot a hallucinogen addiction

When you’re deep in hallucinogen use, the line between fun and addiction can blur faster than you can imagine. Here are some clear signs that an addiction to hallucinogens may have taken hold:

You have been upping the hallucinogen dose to get the same high you used to experience with less.
A huge chunk of your day is spent thinking about getting or using hallucinogens.
You keep using hallucinogens even when they are messing with your relationships, school or work.
All the things you used to enjoy doing now seem boring or less fun than taking hallucinogens.
You have tried to quit or cut down but have found it impossible.
You are moody, irritable or depressed when you’re not using hallucinogens.

If any of this sounds familiar, it may be a sign that you need professional help.

Why are some people more vulnerable to addictive hallucinogens?

Addiction to hallucinogens doesn’t happen to everyone, but certain genetic, environmental and psychological factors can put you at a greater risk. Some of these include:

Your genes: If addiction runs in your family, you might be more genetically wired to develop a hallucinogen addiction.
Mental health challenges: Struggling with anxiety, depression or even stress can make hallucinogens appealing as a way to escape. However, that escape can quickly become addictive and actually make the conditions worse.
Peer pressure: Friends who use hallucinogens can heavily influence your decision to try them, making you more likely to experiment and ultimately develop a hallucinogen addiction.
Age of first use: Starting young can increase your risk of hallucinogen addiction as your brain is still growing and is more sensitive to hallucinogen effects.
Spiritual or emotional searching: For those drawn to the idea of expanded consciousness or spiritual exploration, repeated hallucinogen use can quickly go from an experiment to an unbreakable dependency.

The dangers of hallucinogen addiction

Hallucinogen addiction doesn’t just mess with your perception in the moment – it leaves lasting marks that can impact every part of your life. Here are some of the biggest dangers:

HPPD (hallucinogen persisting perception disorder): This is where past trips revisit you through flashbacks and visual disturbances long after the drugs have left your system. They can be very scary and can cause extreme distress and potentially dangerous reactions.
Physical health risks: Long-term hallucinogen use can cause various physical issues from heart problems to lung issues if you have been smoking the drugs.
Mental health issues: Hallucinogens can trigger psychosis, worsen depression or anxiety and even spark conditions like schizophrenia.
Cognitive issues: Keeping track of things, concentrating and even basic problem-solving can all become a struggle with ongoing hallucinogen use.
Legal problems: In the UK, hallucinogens are illegal so getting caught with them can lead to legal issues like fines or prison time.
Risk of accidental harm: Under the influence, your perception is distorted, which can make you a danger to both yourself and others.

How is hallucinogen addiction treated?

Overcoming an addiction to hallucinogens means unravelling the emotional and psychological patterns it causes. At Recovery Lighthouse, this is done through an intensive hallucinogen addiction treatment programme that works on every level:

Drug detox: Even though hallucinogens don’t usually cause intense physical withdrawal, detox is still important if you have been using other substances or need a safe space to come down and readjust.
Drug rehab: Rehab is where you will learn to recognise your triggers, break free from old patterns and face life with a fresh perspective.
Aftercare: To keep you moving forward, we then provide a year of free weekly group therapy sessions to help you prevent relapse and put what you have learned in rehab into practice.

Break free from hallucinogen addiction today

Ready to take control of your reality? If you are lost in the fog of hallucinogen addiction, Recovery Lighthouse can help you find your way back. We have expert-led treatment that will empower you to take back control of your life and plan for a happier, healthier future. Contact us today and let’s take this new transformative trip together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a hallucinogen mushroom look like?

Hallucinogenic mushrooms, often called “magic mushrooms,” can vary in appearance depending on the species. However, the most common type, Psilocybe Cubensis, typically has a small, brown or tan cap with a rounded top and a slender white or pale stem. These mushrooms often bruise blue when they are handled due to the presence of the hallucinogenic compound, psilocybin.

Is it possible to overdose on hallucinogens?

Yes, while a fatal overdose from hallucinogens like LSD or magic mushrooms is rare, it is possible to experience an “overdose” of extreme psychological effects. This can lead to intense fear, paranoia and dangerous behaviours. In some cases, people can harm themselves or others while under the influence of hallucinogens.

Can you die from a hallucinogen addiction?

While hallucinogens themselves are not typically lethal, the behaviours and accidents caused by their use can be. People who have taken hallucinogens may do dangerous things while the mental health effects, like severe anxiety or psychosis, can also present serious risks over time.

(Click here to see works cited)

American Addiction Centers. “Hallucinogen Addiction: Types & Effects of Mind-Altering Drugs.” American Addiction Centers, 17 May 2023, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/hallucinogens. Accessed 18 October 2024.
Grant, Jon E et al. “Hallucinogen Use is Associated with Mental Health and Addictive Problems and Impulsivity in University Students.” Addictive behaviors reports vol. 10 (2019): 100228. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100228. Accessed 18 October 2024.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs.” National Institute on Drug Abuse, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs. Accessed 18 October 2024.
UK-Rehab. “Information on Addiction To Hallucinogens.” UK-Rehab, https://www.uk-rehab.com/drug-addiction/hallucinogens/. Accessed 18 October 2024.