THE HISTORY OF HALLUCINOGENS

A diverse group of drugs, which can change the mood, thinking, and opinion of the user is referred to as hallucinogens. Hallucinogens are a varied group where the substances have dissimilar negative effects, dissimilar mechanism of actions and dissimilar chemical structures. Regardless of the name, the majority of the hallucinogens do not make the users experience hallucinations (fake or artificial thinking or opinion that is not real). Hallucinogens alters the thinking and mood of the users most of the time rather than causing hallucinations for real.

Hallucinogens have a rich history or past. These drugs were used for religious or supernatural rituals by different cultures. In the Rig Veda (the Hindu Holy Book), soma was mentioned. Soma refers to a holy substance, which was used to stimulate higher levels of consciousness, and it was thought to be derived from Amanita muscaria, a hallucinogenic mushroom. In the Pre-Columbian Mexico, the Aztecs used teotlaqualli in rituals. Teotlaqualli is a paste made from Ololiuqui, a hallucinogenic flower. When the paste was applied on the skin of the Aztec priests and soldiers, terror was eradicated and the user’s mental condition was altered in order to serve the Aztec God properly. Peyote (a hallucinogen that has mescaline) has been used by the Mexican Indians in sacred rituals for a long period. These drugs were considered as the cause of the wicked and dishonest deeds of the alleged witches in Salem, Massachusetts witch trials or assessment.