Everything You Need To Know About Psychedelics Detox

Psychedelics are drugs also known as hallucinogens. They gained immense popularity in the 1950s, ‘60s, and ’70s. Common drugs with this classification are LSD, peyote, and magic mushrooms (psilocybin). These drugs alter a person’s awareness of their surroundings as well as their own thoughts and feelings.

Psychedelics can make a person see and hear things that aren’t there, but they believe they are real. In addition, some forms of psychedelics can cause users to feel out of control or unattached to their bodies and environment. This is particularly true in the case of polysubstance abuse; psychedelic effects can become unpredictable when used with other substances.

Hallucinogens are most often used for recreational or spiritual purposes, but that doesn’t mean they are safe to use.

How Do Psychedelics Affect People?

Psychedelics are powerful psychoactive substances that alter perception and mood and affect numerous cognitive processes. These drugs come in many forms, and the effects can last several hours. 

During that time, the effects of psychedelics can be any of the following:

• Feelings of euphoria
• Hallucinations or distorted perception
• Confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Anxiety, paranoia, or panic
• Dizziness and blurred vision
• Increased heart rate/blood pressure, irregular heartbeat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sweating, shivering, or numbness

The immediate effects of psychedelics are some of the most dangerous. Hallucinations and paranoia can lead to violent outbursts and risky behavior.

Although addiction to such drugs is rare, some may lead to tolerance or withdrawal symptoms. The biggest issue with psychedelics is tolerance. When someone uses them regularly, they require a larger dose to get the same feeling.

There may not be any recorded overdose deaths related to hallucinogens, but that doesn’t mean they are safe. A big issue with such drugs that lead to hospitalization or mental health problems is what’s known as a “bad trip.”

Adverse reactions to psychedelics can include:

• Unpleasant/intense hallucinations
• Intense fear, paranoia, anxiety, or panic
• Drug-induced psychosis
• Dangerous or life-threatening behavior

These effects induce fear and discomfort in users rather than the euphoria of a classic high. Because these drugs are illegal and not regulated, they always include a risk. 

You don’t know what’s in them or how you’ll react to them, and even seeking treatment for a bad trip can become problematic when medical professionals aren’t sure what you took. 

Furthermore, one of the rarer yet dangerous aspects of using psychedelics is hallucinogen-induced persistent perception disorder. This disorder takes place in those who aren’t using the drugs and haven’t in a long time but are experiencing intense flashbacks from when they were under the influence.

What makes this disorder especially unpleasant is the unexpected nature of them. People often experience flashing lights, flashing colors, seeing halos around people, and severe emotional distress from vivid hallucinations. This is most common in people who have used psychedelics and have a co-occurring mental illness. 

To prevent and treat such effects of using psychedelics, addiction treatment is available.

Psychedelics Detox and Treatment

Most psychedelics are not considered to be physically addictive but can be psychologically addictive. This means that someone uses these drugs to face emotional stress. If someone relates using psychedelics to relaxation, they can become dependent on it, which could lead to a bad trip and cause more mental and emotional distress.

Treatment for psychedelic use or abuse is not identical to treatment for something like alcohol addiction. There are no approved drugs used to treat withdrawal symptoms, but behavioral therapy is known to help. Because many people using these drugs have underlying problems, treating those can make a big difference.

If you or a loved one is showing signs of dependence on psychedelics, you should find a detox and treatment facility so that the proper care can be provided. 

Psychedelic detox is the first step to treatment. Removing all traces of the drugs from one’s system is critical. This isn’t usually as brutal as detoxing from other substances as the physical dependence on such drugs is not as severe but having professional care during this time is best.

Psychedelics can lead to drastic changes in behaviors like being relaxed and then showing aggression. Safely detoxing from these drugs in a medical setting reduces any side effects and improves the mood to prepare the person to continue with further treatment. 

Every case of hallucinogen use (or abuse) will vary, but the treatment should at the very least include:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Evidence-based neurological interventions
• Medical care
• Psychiatric services
• Continuing care services

These types of therapies are offered in both inpatient and outpatient rehab. They are meant to address the cause of the addictive behaviors and any underlying mental health problems that could have led to the substance abuse.

Psychedelics Aren’t As Addictive … But They’re Still Dangerous

Psychedelics are a unique class of drugs. They are not as physically addictive as others but can lead to erratic behaviors and emotional trauma. The effects of such drugs can be challenging to pinpoint because they are not regulated. Plus, how the body reacts to these drugs and what they consist of isn’t fully known. This makes psychedelics dangerous, especially for those with underlying problems.

Using psychedelics to ease symptoms of mental health problems leads to further issues. When that happens, seeking detox and treatment is the best option to stop using and receive the proper care safely. Understanding what led to the substance abuse and addressing the deeper issues at hand can push you in the direction of recovery.

DetoxNearMe.com can help aim you in the right direction. We are here to provide you with all the information you need about the best detox facilities in your area and to help you pick the right one for you. Start your journey to recovery today with DetoxNearMe.com today!