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Deliriant
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Revision as of 07:36, 7 September 2016 by >White(b)
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.[1] The term is generally used to refer to anticholinergic drugs.
Despite the fully legal status of several common deliriant plants, substances which fall under this class are largely unpopular as recreational drugs due to the severe and unpleasant nature of the hallucinations produced.[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]
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 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 typical concentrations of acetylcholine.[6][7]
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 and stimulation; as a result, both cannabis and caffeine have an inhibitory effect on deliriants.
Subjective effects
The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWikicontributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.
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.
↑Kathleen M Beaver, Thomas J Gavin, Treatment of acute anticholinergic poisoning with physostigmine, The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, Volume 16, Issue 5, September 1998, Pages 505-507, ISSN 0735-6757, 10.1016/S0735-6757(98)90003-1. (ScienceDirect) | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735675798900031
↑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. | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3690290
