others may withdraw and have difficulty communicating. A temporary mental disturbance of the user’s thought process (a ORANGE COUNTY PCP psychosis) may last for days or weeks. Long-term PCP users report memory and speech difficulties, as well as hearing voices SHERIFF or sounds which do not exist.

How do PCP users feel? Users find it difficult to describe and predict the effects of the drug. For some users, PCP in small amounts acts as a stimulant speeding up body function. For many users, PCP changes how users see their own bodies and things around them. Speech, muscle coordination WHERE TO CALL and vision are affected; senses of touch and pain are dulled; body movements are slowed; time seems to “space out.”

What are the physical effects of PCP? Effects depend on how much is taken, the For more information or to schedule a way it is used, and the individual. Effects presentation on drug abuse, contact: include increased heart rate and blood pressure, flushing, sweating, dizziness, and numbness. When large doses are taken, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office LSD & effects include drowsiness, convulsions, and Crime Prevention Unit coma. Taking large amounts of PCP can also 407-254-7106 cause death from repeated convulsions, heart PCP ABUSE and lung failure, or ruptured blood vessels in the brain. HALLUCINOGENS

10-1423B (10/12) DRUG PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS LOOK FOR DANGERS What are hallucinogens? What are the effects of What are the effects of heavy Hallucinogens, or psychedelics, are drugs psychedelics or hallucinogens use? that affect a person’s perceptions, sensations, Research has shown some changes in the thinking, self-awareness, and emotions. like LSD? The effects of psychedelics are unpredictable. mental functions of heavy users of LSD, Hallucinogens include such drugs as LSD, but they are not present in all cases. Heavy mescaline, psilocybin, and DMT. Some It depends on the amount taken, the user’s users sometimes develop signs of organic hallucinogens come from natural sources, such personality, mood, expectations, and the brain damage, such as impaired memory as mescaline from the peyote cactus. Others, surroundings in which the drug is used. and attention span, mental confusion, and such as LSD, are synthetic or manufactured. Usually the user feels the first effects of difficulty with abstract thinking. These signs the drug 30-90 minutes after taking it. The may be strong or they may be subtle. It is PCP is sometimes considered a hallucinogen not yet known if such mental changes are because it has some of the same effects. physical effects include dilated pupils, higher body temperature, increased heart rate and permanent or if they disappear when LSD However, it does not fit easily into any one use is stopped. drug category because it can also relieve pain blood pressure, sweating, loss of appetite, or act as a stimulant. sleeplessness, dry mouth, and tremors. What is PCP? PCP (phencyclidine) is most often called What is LSD? Sensations and feelings change too. The user LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid “angel dust.” It was first developed as an which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows may feel several different emotions at once or anesthetic in the 1950’s. It was taken off the on rye and other grains. LSD was discovered swing rapidly from one emotion to another. market for human use, however, because it in 1838 and is one of the most potent mood- The user’s sense of time and self image sometimes caused hallucinations. changing chemicals. It is odorless, colorless, change. Sensations may seem to “cross over,” and tasteless. LSD is sold on the street in giving the user the feeling of “hearing” colors PCP is available in a number of forms. It can tablets, capsules, and occasionally in liquid be a pure, white crystal-like powder, or a tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth, but and “seeing” sounds. These changes can be or capsule. It can be swallowed, smoked, sometimes is injected. Often it is added to frightening and can cause panic. sniffed, or injected. PCP is sometimes absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and sprinkled on marijuana or parsley before it divided into small decorated squares with each What are “bad trips”? is smoked. square representing one dose. A bad psychological reaction to LSD and similar drugs is common. The scary sensations Although PCP is illegal, it is easily What is Mescaline? may last a few minutes or several hours and be manufactured. It is often sold as mescaline, Mescaline comes from the peyote cactus THC, or other drugs. and although it is not as strong as LSD, its mildly frightening or terrifying. The user may effects are similar. Mescaline is usually experience panic, confusion, suspiciousness, Why is PCP dangerous? smoked or swallowed in the form of capsules anxiety, feelings of helplessness, and loss of PCP can produce violent or bizarre behavior or tablets. control. Sometimes taking a hallucinogen in people who are not normally that way. This such as LSD can unmask mental or emotional What are some other behavior can lead to death from drowning, “psychedelic” drugs or problems that were previously unknown to burns, falls (sometimes from high places), hallucinogens? the user. Flashbacks, in which the person and automobile accidents. Regular PCP use Psilocybin comes from certain mushrooms. experiences a drug’s effects without taking affects memory, perception, concentration, and It is sold in tablet or capsule form so users the drugs again, can occur. judgment. Users may show signs of paranoia, can swallow it. The mushrooms themselves fearfulness and anxiety. During these times may be eaten fresh or dried. DMT is another some users may become aggressive while psychedelic drug that acts like LSD.