Levels of use 
- The 2004 NHS found 0.7% of 14-19 year olds used hallucinogens in the previous year.
Hallucinogenic substances can alter a person's mood, and the way the person perceives his or her surroundings and their own body. A user may also hallucinate, which means to see, smell, taste, hear or feel something that does not exist. There are many different types of hallucinogens, some of which are chemically produced and others that are naturally occurring.
Types of hallucinogens
- LSD - It is often put into tablets, or as small spots on absorbent paper. Often called 'trips' or 'tabs'.
- Mescaline - Made from the pulp of the peyote cactus.
- Psilocybin mushrooms - Psilocybin is the hallucinogen found in some mushrooms. It is usually used as dried mushrooms. Commonly called "Magic Mushrooms" or "Mushies".
- DMT (diemethyltriptamine) - Powerful hallucinogen found in some tropical plants.
Immediate effects
- Strong effects on a person's mental state
- Change of mood and feelings
- May see lights, colours, pictures and feel very aware of things happening inside and outside of their body
- May also feel fear or panic
- Generally pleasant but some youth find it unpleasant and disturbing (a "bad trip")
Longer term effects
- May experience the same feelings of taking the substance days or even months later without taking the substance "flash backs")
- Regular use of hallucinogens can begin to decrease a user's memory and concentration and can cause long-lasting mental health problems
Special considerations
- Mental health concerns - "Flash back" symptoms are similar to symptoms of other mental health disorders, thus it can mask potential mental health issues of a young person. Taking hallucinogens may cause mental heath problems such as depression, with suicide being a risk. If a child or youth already has a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia, taking hallucinogens may worsen the condition.
- Using with other substances - hallucinogens may include other active substances, such as amphetamines, which can increase the effects of using the substance and lead to unpredictable, uncontrolled reactions. It is hard to know what substances are mixed with hallucinogens.
- Pregnancy - LSD can increase the chance of a miscarriage. It is also possible that the baby of a mother who is using hallucinogens may be born with physical deformities.
Signs of withdrawal
Regular users may become psychologically dependent on taking hallucinogens, but there are no significant physical withdrawal symptoms.
Taking too large a quantity causes most unsafe experiences. When the person has a bad experience, it is important to help calm them until the effects have passed. This can take many hours. Medical assistance is needed if the young person becomes violent towards themselves or others, or anxious.
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Working with Young People with Alcohol or Other Drug Issues: A self-paced learning package Published: 2006 Funded by NSW Drug & Alcohol Workforce Development Council. Written & compiled by Kristy Delaney, YAPA, and Matt Stubbs & John Howard, Ted Noffs Institute. Additional material by Nick Manning, YAPA, & by Shopfront Youth Legal Centre. Opinions are the author's.
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
