Deliriant

Artistic representation of a delirious trip.

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.

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. The term is generally used to refer to anticholinergic drugs.

Method of action

Deliriants work via their 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.

Subjective effects

Visual effects

Suppression

• Decreased visual acuity
• Double vision
• Suppression of pattern recognition
• Vibrating vision

Distortions

• Visual drifting
• Visual haze

Hallucinatory states

• External hallucinations
• Internal hallucinations

Cognitive effects

• Anxiety
• Temporary depression
• Thought deceleration
• Amnesia
• Suppression of vocabulary
• Delusions
• Thought loops
• Direct communication with the subconscious
• Ego suppression, loss and death

Auditory effects

• Suppression
• Distortions
• Hallucinations

Pharmacological classes

Tropane Alkaloids

• atropine
• hyoscyamine
• scopolamine

Anti-histamines

• dimenhydrinate
• diphenhydramine

A-typical

• Benzydamine
• Mirtazapine

Plants and Entheogens

• Datura

History

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.

See Also

• Hallucinogens
• Psychedelics
• Dissociatives