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[[File:deliriants.png|250px|thumb|right|Artistic representation of a delirious trip.]]
{{headerpanel|{{Warning/Deliriants}}}}
'''Deliriants''' are a class of hallucinogen that are unique in that even with lower doses, they offer solid hallucinations which display themselves seamlessly into waking consciousness, similar to fully formed dreams or delusions. In contrast, classical [[psychedelics]] and [[dissociatives]] have progressive levels of multiple all encompassing sensory effects, before reaching the level of concrete hallucination.
[[File:deliriants.png|300px|right|thumb|''Deliriants by [[Anonymous]] [http://boards.420chan.org/deli/ DEL] user'' - This image represents the sinister [[external hallucination]]s commonly induced by deliriants.]]
The term deliriant was introduced by David F. Duncan and Robert S. Gold to distinguish these drugs from [[psychedelics]] and [[dissociatives]], such as [[LSD]] and [[ketamine]] respectively, due to their primary effect of causing delirium, as opposed to the more lucid states produced by other types of hallucinogen.<ref>Duncan, D. F., and Gold, R. S. (1982). Drugs and the Whole Person. New York: John Wiley & Sons</ref> The term is generally used to refer to anticholinergic drugs.
'''Deliriants''' are a subclass of [[hallucinogens]]. They display a unique property in that they easily produce solid hallucinations which integrate seamlessly into waking consciousness, similar to fully formed dreams or delusions. In contrast, classical [[psychedelics]] and [[dissociatives]] have progressive levels of multiple all-encompassing sensory effects before reaching the level of concrete hallucination.
The term deliriant was introduced by David F. Duncan and Robert S. Gold to distinguish these substances from [[psychedelics]] and [[dissociatives]], due to their primary effect of causing delirium (as opposed to the more lucid states produced by other types of [[hallucinogens]]).<ref>{{cite book | vauthors=((Duncan, D.)), ((Gold, R.)) | date= 1982 | title=Drugs and the Whole Person | publisher=John Wiley and Sons | url=http://archive.org/details/drugswholeperson00dunc | isbn=9780471041207}}
</ref> The term is generally used to refer to anticholinergic drugs.
Despite the fully legal status of several common deliriant plants and substances, they are not popular as recreational substances due to the severe and unpleasant nature of the hallucinations they produce.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors=((Grinspoon, L.)), ((Bakalar, J. B.)) | date= 1997 | title=Psychedelic Drugs Reconsidered | publisher=Lindesmith Center | isbn=9780964156852}}</ref>
In addition to their potentially dangerous mental effects (accidents during deliriant experiences are common),<ref>Datura Items | http://www.lycaeum.org/mv/mu/datura.html</ref> certain deliriants are poisonous and can cause death due to tachycardia-induced heart failure and hyperthermia even in small doses.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Beaver, K. M.)), ((Gavin, T. J.)) | journal=The American Journal of Emergency Medicine | title=Treatment of acute anticholinergic poisoning with physostigmine | volume=16 | issue=5 | pages=505–507 | date= September 1998 | url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0735675798900031 | issn=07356757 | doi=10.1016/S0735-6757(98)90003-1}}</ref>
Use and experimentation with deliriants is generally discouraged due to their questionable safety profile. It is highly advised to use [[harm reduction practices]] if using these substances.
==Method of action==
==Method of action==
Deliriants work via their [[antagonist|antagonistic]] action on [[acetylcholine]] receptors. Inhibition of acetylcholine leads to decreased levels of acetylcholine, causing delirium, sedation and intensely realistic hallucinations. In contrast, cannabis and caffeine have a reverse effect by inhibiting acetylcholine esterate, which breaks down acetylcholine. This leads to increased levels of acetylcholine and improved cognition, stimulation, thus cannabis has an inhibitory effect on deliriants.
Deliriants work via anticholinergic activity and their [[antagonist|antagonistic]] action on [[acetylcholine]] receptors. Inhibition through this mechanism leads to decreased levels of acetylcholine, causing delirium, sedation, tachycardia and intensely realistic hallucinations. However, the precise role of these interactions and how they result in the deliriant experience continues to remain elusive.
It is theorized that [[choline|cholinergics]] (such as [[racetams]]) can provide relief from the mechanisms of anticholinergics,<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Wesnes, K.)), ((Anand, R.)), ((Simpson, P.)), ((Christmas, L.)) | journal=Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) | title=The use of a scopolamine model to study the potential nootropic effects of aniracetam and piracetam in healthy volunteers | volume=4 | issue=4 | pages=219–232 | date= January 1990 | issn=0269-8811 | doi=10.1177/026988119000400406}}</ref> such as reversing their [[Amnesia|amnesiatic]] and [[psychosis]]-inducing effects. This is possible by restoring sufficient concentrations of [[acetylcholine]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Piercey, M. F.)), ((Vogelsang, G. D.)), ((Franklin, S. R.)), ((Tang, A. H.)) | journal=Brain Research | title=Reversal of scopolamine-induced amnesia and alterations in energy metabolism by the nootropic piracetam: implications regarding identification of brain structures involved in consolidation of memory traces | volume=424 | issue=1 | pages=1–9 | date=20 October 1987 | issn=0006-8993 | doi=10.1016/0006-8993(87)91186-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Preda, L.)), ((Alberoni, M.)), ((Bressi, S.)), ((Cattaneo, C.)), ((Parini, J.)), ((Canal, N.)), ((Franceschi, M.)) | journal=Psychopharmacology | title=Effects of acute doses of oxiracetam in the scopolamine model of human amnesia | volume=110 | issue=4 | pages=421–426 | date= 1993 | issn=0033-3158 | doi=10.1007/BF02244648}}</ref>
In contrast, [[cannabis]] and [[caffeine]] have a reverse effect by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine. This leads to increased levels of acetylcholine, and, in turn, improved cognition and stimulation; as a result, both [[cannabis]] and [[caffeine]] have an inhibitory effect on deliriants.
In comparison to other classes of [[hallucinogen]], this effect occurs more frequently than that of any other at moderate to heavy dosages and is the defining feature of the experience. <p>It can be comprehensively described through its [[Internal_hallucinations#Variations|variations]] as delirious in believability, interactive in style, equal in new experiences and memory replays in content, autonomous in controllability and solid in style. <p>The most common themes for these hallucinations include those of both everyday occurrences such as smoking phantom cigarettes, talking to people who are not there, insects and sinister, nightmarish experiences.</p>
In comparison to other classes of [[hallucinogen]], this effect occurs briefly and spontaneously at moderate dosages but becomes progressively extended in its occurrence and duration proportional to dosage before eventually becoming all-encompassing. <p>It can be comprehensively described through its [[Internal_hallucinations#Variations|variations]] as delirious in believability, interactive in style, equal in new experiences and memory replays in content, autonomous in controllability and solid in style.</p>
The employment of deliriants for shamanic purposes through the famed [[Datura]] plant has been in use since before recorded history. Chinese, Aztec, Indian, Native American, Caribbean Island, Chumash, Gypsy, Mexican, South American and Zuni records and legends all mention the use of datura leaves for sacred rituals and visionary purposes. Datura was used as a spiritual tool and a rite of passage.
<h4 class="media-heading">Plants and Entheogens</h4>
Deliriant use is associated with highly uncomfortable and/or dangerous experiences.
Deliriants are highly unpredictable and may result in erratic behaviors, self-injury, hospitalization, or death. It should be noted that most individuals do not choose to repeat the experience due to its unpleasant nature.
Deliriants are a subclass of hallucinogens. They display a unique property in that they easily produce solid hallucinations which integrate seamlessly into waking consciousness, similar to fully formed dreams or delusions. In contrast, classical psychedelics and dissociatives have progressive levels of multiple all-encompassing sensory effects before reaching the level of concrete hallucination.
The term deliriant was introduced by David F. Duncan and Robert S. Gold to distinguish these substances from psychedelics and dissociatives, due to their primary effect of causing delirium (as opposed to the more lucid states produced by other types of hallucinogens).[1] The term is generally used to refer to anticholinergic drugs.
Despite the fully legal status of several common deliriant plants and substances, they are not popular as recreational substances due to the severe and unpleasant nature of the hallucinations they produce.[2]
In addition to their potentially dangerous mental effects (accidents during deliriant experiences are common),[3] certain deliriants are poisonous and can cause death due to tachycardia-induced heart failure and hyperthermia even in small doses.[4]
Use and experimentation with deliriants is generally discouraged due to their questionable safety profile. It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using these substances.
Deliriants work via anticholinergic activity and their antagonistic action on acetylcholine receptors. Inhibition through this mechanism leads to decreased levels of acetylcholine, causing delirium, sedation, tachycardia and intensely realistic hallucinations. However, the precise role of these interactions and how they result in the deliriant experience continues to remain elusive.
It is theorized that cholinergics (such as racetams) can provide relief from the mechanisms of anticholinergics,[5] such as reversing their amnesiatic and psychosis-inducing effects. This is possible by restoring sufficient concentrations of acetylcholine.[6][7]
In contrast, cannabis and caffeine have a reverse effect by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme responsible for the breakdown of acetylcholine. This leads to increased levels of acetylcholine, and, in turn, improved cognition and stimulation; as a result, both cannabis and caffeine have an inhibitory effect on deliriants.
Subjective effects
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
In comparison to other classes of hallucinogen, this effect occurs more frequently than that of any other at moderate to heavy dosages and is the defining feature of the experience.
It can be comprehensively described through its variations as delirious in believability, interactive in style, equal in new experiences and memory replays in content, autonomous in controllability and solid in style.
The most common themes for these hallucinations include those of both everyday occurrences such as smoking phantom cigarettes, talking to people who are not there, insects and sinister, nightmarish experiences.
In comparison to other classes of hallucinogen, this effect occurs briefly and spontaneously at moderate dosages but becomes progressively extended in its occurrence and duration proportional to dosage before eventually becoming all-encompassing.
It can be comprehensively described through its variations as delirious in believability, interactive in style, equal in new experiences and memory replays in content, autonomous in controllability and solid in style.
↑Wesnes, K., Anand, R., Simpson, P., Christmas, L. (January 1990). "The use of a scopolamine model to study the potential nootropic effects of aniracetam and piracetam in healthy volunteers". Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford, England). 4 (4): 219–232. doi:10.1177/026988119000400406. ISSN0269-8811.
↑Piercey, M. F., Vogelsang, G. D., Franklin, S. R., Tang, A. H. (20 October 1987). "Reversal of scopolamine-induced amnesia and alterations in energy metabolism by the nootropic piracetam: implications regarding identification of brain structures involved in consolidation of memory traces". Brain Research. 424 (1): 1–9. doi:10.1016/0006-8993(87)91186-3. ISSN0006-8993.
↑Preda, L., Alberoni, M., Bressi, S., Cattaneo, C., Parini, J., Canal, N., Franceschi, M. (1993). "Effects of acute doses of oxiracetam in the scopolamine model of human amnesia". Psychopharmacology. 110 (4): 421–426. doi:10.1007/BF02244648. ISSN0033-3158.
