When people hear of hallucinogens, they frequently automatically think of LSD or hallucinogenic mushrooms. However, the varieties of drugs that cause hallucinations are still being explored, and one of such incognito hallucinogens is salvia. Although many people do not know about its existence, according to the 2016 reports, more than five and a half million US residents have tried salvia (Gonzales, 2018). Over the last years, Salvia Divinorum has become a topic for continuous discussion due to little knowledge on the subject of its addictive and influential patterns. Since drugs such as LSD are illegal across the US, salvia has a similar effect for less money and legal responsibility (Levinthal, 2014). The major difference between salvia and LSD is that the latter keeps the brain influenced for approximately twelve hours, while salvia has a short-term effect that lasts from thirty minutes to a few hours.
Speaking of the drug influence, salvia’s impact on the human brain is similar to that of LSD, but it is still not completely examined in terms of its interactions with the human body. Since there are no estimated deaths caused by the drug, scientists have not paid much attention to the epidemic salvia expansion. The drug is still not restricted by the federal government, and it is only prohibited in some states by local legislatures as people are not aware of whether the drug has the risk of long-term addiction. According to the latest reports, salvia is now compared to marijuana in terms of physical characteristics, but with the hallucinogenic effect (Gonzales, 2018). Hence, nowadays, there are many assumptions on the topic of salvia’s potential, but the latest usage patterns show that the drug needs substantial immediate examination.
LSD Flashbacks Treatment
LSD, being the most notorious hallucinogenic drug, is commonly used in order to experience visual hallucinations that can last for hours. Although there is a belief that single-use drug consumption is not affecting the brain and the human body in the long run, it is not the case with hallucinogens. When people try LSD only one or two times, they are at risk of flashbacks, which can occur after a long time since the drug abuse (Walker, 2019). During flashbacks, people relieve both the visual and emotional aspects of hallucinogens. Such a condition is known as hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder (HHPD), and it can occur as a result of serious psychological distress and drug abuse (“HHPD: Symptoms, causes, and treatment,” 2018). These flashbacks are generally divided into two types: when people experience brief and random flashbacks, and when people suffer from ongoing vision modifications.
Frequently, HHPD causes panic attacks and anxiety as a result of hallucinogen use, but it should not be mistaken for a “bad trip,” which is caused by drug intoxication. The conventional ways of HHPD treatment consist of both medical and mental aspects. The two medications that are currently used in order to reduce the risks of flashbacks are Lamotrigine and Clonazepam, whereas the latter was discovered as a treatment option relatively recently. Another important aspect of HHPD treatment concerns the reduction of stress-causing factors, as they are the major triggers for flashback occurrence. A psychiatrist’s consultancy would also be of great help in order to not be affected by the flashbacks. Hence, although the current HHPD treatment patterns are quite efficient in terms of flashbacks reoccurrence, the most beneficial way would still be to avoid substances that may potentially harm one’s mental health.
References
Gonzales, M. (2018). Salvia abuse. Web.
HHPD: Symptoms, Causes, and treatment. (2018). Web.
Levinthal, C. F. (2014). Drugs, behavior, and modern society (8th ed.). London, UK: Pearson Education.
Walker, L. (2019). An examination of LSD abuse & treatment options. Web.