Mental disorders caused by stimulants and hallucinogens use

Hallucinogens

• Classification
  • Classical hallucinogens (psychodelics), deliriants, dissociatives
• Effect
  • as the name suggests → change in perception: visual hallucinations and illusions
  • behavior can be unpredictable and dangerous (to other or to self)

1. Classical hallucinogens

• LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin
  • → perceptual (synesthesia, derealization, depersonalization, illusions), behavioral (paranoid, anxiety, fear of going crazy, impaired judgement)
    • MDMA: serotonin receptor and D2 receptor agonist → grinding teeth (bruxims), hyponatremia (cave: cerebral and pul. edema), mental changes (euphoria, hyperactivity)

2. Deliriants

• The term is generally used to refer to anticholinergic drugs
• Common examples of deliriants include plants of the genus Datura as well as higher than recommended dosages of Diphenhydramine (Benadryl).

3. Dissociatives

• Ketamine
• phencyclidine (angel dust, peace pill, elephant tranquilizer, hog) → psychosis

Stimulants

• Cocaine
  • insufflated, smoked or injected
  • MoA
• Methamphetamines (crystal meth, pervetin, molly (MDMA)
  • Autonomic symptoms: diaphoresis, HT, tachycarida, hyperthermia...
  • Neuropsychiatric sx: agitation, psychosis, euphoria, paranoia, sleep disorders (staying awake), megalomania, disorganized thinking (delusional parasitosis), seizures
  • Complications
    • risk of ongoing anxiety, mood disorders or psychosis
    • memory impairment (esp. with chronic use)
• MDMA (Molly, ecstasy)