HALLUCINOGENS HAVE A SMALL BUT LOYAL LOCAL FOLLOWING

When looking at the illegal drug culture of Athens, one can look
deeper at the population to find a subculture of people who look for
drugs to possibly do more than make them "high" for a few hours.

Some Ohio University students and community members use drugs that
they say expand their consciousness and perception of reality, though
they acknowledge the potential for a "bad trip," not to mention the
serious legal repercussions of getting caught with these drugs.

The aforementioned illegal drugs include such psychedelics as LSD
(acid), MDMA (Ecstasy) and psilocybin mushrooms. While all three of
these drugs can have dramatically different effects on the body,
users typically use them for similar purposes or desired outcomes.

LSD (acid)

Lysergic acid diethylamide, more commonly referred to as LSD, acid or
L, is the most popular, and most researched, psychedelic drug. It is
active in extremely low doses, and is most commonly available in
liquid or blotter form. A blotter is a full sheet of paper decorated
with some sort of artwork, perforated and soaked in liquid LSD. It's
then cut up into individual doses, which typically cost between $3
and $10. However, within the informal community of acid users, it is
common that people will give it to their friends at extremely low
prices or for free.

Acid can cause a wide variety of perceptual changes including mental
and physical stimulation. Also, a user can expect pupil dilation,
closed and open eye patterning and visuals, changed thought patterns,
feelings of insight, and quickly changing emotions.

One pitfall of LSD is the fact that a typical "trip" can last several
hours, so after one is committed to the intense experience, there's
no going back.

According to erowid.org, an online library about psychoactive plants,
chemicals and related topics, no physical addiction or withdrawal is
associated with the use of acid. However, some people may become
mentally addicted to the drug.

Psilocybin Mushrooms

These particular mushrooms, also referred to as shrooms or magic
mushrooms, are also one of the most popular and commonly available
natural psychedelics. There are more than 180 species of mushrooms
that contain the psychedelic psilocybin or psilocin, according to
erowid.org. These mushrooms can be found in the wild; they are small
and brown or tan. However, they can easily be mistaken from
non-psychoactive wild, and potentially poisonous, mushrooms.

"Shrooms" typically cost between $20 to $40 for an 1/8 ounce. A
standard dosage can range anywhere from 1 to 5 grams. There is a long
history of use in Mexico, and Native-American tribes have used them
in shamanistic rituals.

Psilocybin mushrooms are similar to acid in their effects, though
they're typically not as intense or long lasting as LSD. The most
common physical effects include a wide variety of perceptual changes,
pupil dilation, visual and mental stimulation, according to
erowid.org. In addition to physical effects, some effects occur
solely within a user's mind. Some of these include: new perspectives,
feelings of insight, and quickly changing emotions. Another aspect of
mushrooms that many users cite is spiritual awareness or a sense of
universal understanding.

This can result in profound epiphanies while one is "tripping," which
later, viewed in the stark light of reality, seem incoherent or silly.

One OU junior, who like other students interviewed for this story
asked not to be identified, described how he started using mushrooms.
"When I came to college, I wanted to get a full experience," he said.
"When you leave home for the first time and you start learning about
different fields of thought, you find new ways to explain what you
feel and understand of reality. Psilocybin mushrooms are a wonderful
way to explore areas you can't reach within yourself."

While mushrooms are neither physically or psychologically addictive,
they can have negative effects. Many people experience nausea, and
vomiting is possible, according to erowid.org. Also, as with LSD,
anxiety and unwanted or frightening thoughts or visions are possible.

An OU junior voiced her opinion on the safety issues. "A serious risk
to ingesting any substance are the negative side effects that may
occur," she said. "With prescription and over-the-counter drugs, a
person is made aware of such things by a pharmacist or label. With
controlled substances, however, one must be constantly vigilant when
choosing to experience them."

Another student added, "An experience with mushrooms should be
considered a mental, emotional and even physical journey. With that
in mind, they should not be taken lightly, but with the utmost
respect and reverence."

Ecstasy

MDMA, more commonly referred to as Ecstasy, E or X, is a psychedelic
amphetamine that is tied to the rave and dance scene throughout the
world, but has also been used by therapists as a tool for
psychotherapy. Ecstasy, which costs between $10 and $25 for one pill,
produces strong feelings of comfort, empathy and connection to
others. The primary effects sought by Ecstasy users include emotional
openness, euphoria, stimulation, reduction of critical and cynical
thoughts, and a decrease of inhibitions, according to erowid.org.

An OU sophomore described her experience with MDMA. "Ecstasy was the
first drug I ever took outside of marijuana," she said. "It was
contradicting to consistently remember that the feeling was
chemically induced and at the same time feel that it was indeed
genuine. These were real feelings, only brought to my attention by
something chemical, not created in that matter. It was the best day
of my life; I was empathetic, affectionate, understanding and articulate."

Some users experience a dramatic worsening of mood as the peak of the
drug wears off. This is attributed to coming down from a good
experience, and not wanting the feeling to go away.

However, there are more harmful emotional side effects associated
with Ecstasy than other psychedelics. First, an Ecstasy user is
usually extremely drained the following day. Also, post-MDMA
depression is common. The drug can release emotions that one may be
unprepared to deal with such as memories of a painful experience or
confronting a past episode.

Ecstasy does have some serious physical side effects associated with
usage, according to erowid.org. Some of the more common include
overheating, nausea, vomiting, jaw-clenching and eye-twitching. Also,
dehydration is an extremely common and dangerous problem associated
with Ecstasy.

Ecstasy has the possibility for a psychological addiction, but not
for a physical one. A primary problem with recreational MDMA usage is
the low quality of material sold on the street. Users have limited
ways of detecting other drugs laced in a pill, or the purity of the drug.

MOST OU STUDENT USERS STRESS that psychedelics are not something for
a regular night on the town. They cited concerts, certain parties or
big events as times they might choose to do these types of drugs.

As far as prevalence goes, student users seemed to agree that a lot
of people at least give some psychedelics a try.

One OU junior recalled, "I ate mushrooms once freshman year. I can't
think of one person on our floor that didn't try it at least once.
I've smoked pot since high school, but never thought about
experimenting with hallucinogenics until I came to college. I guess I
did it because of the popularity, availability and the desire to
experience new ways of having fun outside of drinking and smoking."

This student also stressed, however, that mushrooms are the furthest
she's taken experimenting with psychedelics. "I picked mushrooms
because, like pot, it's natural," she said. "I've thought about
trying acid and ecstasy, but in my mind mushrooms were the safer
choice," she said.

Another OU student said she tried mushrooms, but is not really
looking to take it any further. "I enjoyed myself, and have thought
about trying other drugs, but it's just not a top priority," she
said. "As far as the weekends go, I'd rather go out with the social
scene then stay in and experiment with drugs."

Obtaining these drugs, based on student users' views, is not usually
a problem. One student noted, "Freshman and sophomore year it was
easier to get pot or mushrooms than it was to get alcohol. You don't
need a bookbag or fake ID to get drugs."

Another student added, "As far as getting psychedelics is concerned,
it's just like anything else. You have to know someone. Sometimes the
drugs are around, and sometimes they're not. There's no real rhyme or
reason to it."

Most students said psychedelics don't interfere with schoolwork since
they're reserved for special occasions. "Psychedelics have never
really affected my school work," said one student. "I've never done
them when I had anything important to do the next day. Drugs like
these are saved for special events or planned nights."

A second student agreed. "Honestly, I think these kinds of drugs are
the least likely to affect your relationships, jobs or school," he
said. "Acid isn't something you pop on a Monday night when you have
to go to work or have something important planned. It's not like pot
in the way that you can do it and finish your homework or go to class."

However, as with any other drug, some people can take psychedelics
too far. A couple users admitted that they knew people who did it too
much and became "spaced-out," or "spun-out."

"I've known people that eat too many drugs, or do it too often, and
get spaced out or are always tripping," said one of the student
users. "That's not cool. But that's not the normal scene surrounding
these drugs, necessarily.

Another student recalled a friend who mixed acid and Ecstasy, known
as "candy-flipping," while camping and had a bad experience. "It was
scary. I sat in the tent with her for hours, rubbing her back trying
to convince her that her heart wasn't going to stop and that she
would come down eventually."

The potentially bad experience also can involve the law and students'
academic career. Penalties for possession or sale of hallucinogens
can extend to expulsion from Ohio University, and incarceration in
the criminal-justice system. Depending on the amount of the drug
involved, jail time can be mandatory even for possession.