Long-term or irresponsible use of dissociatives has the complete opposite effect — often causing users to lose touch with themselves and their unconscious behavior. This dissociative drug is not controlled under the Federal Controlled Substances Act but is banned or regulated in several states. Nitrous oxide isn’t always physically addictive but can be psychologically addictive. Due to its short duration, users may abuse it repetitively and frequently to experience the pleasurable sensations it causes. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States, indicating a potential for moderate to low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.

MXE is a research chemical and member of the arylcyclohexylamine chemical family. It’s closely related to ketamine and PCP and is often sold as a “legal alternative” to these well-known psychedelics. The most significant issue is the presence of acetaminophen or other medications in over-the-counter cough medicine. These medications can cause irreversible liver or kidney damage if used in the dosages required for the psychoactive effects of DXM. Overdoses are also possible, which can lead to hospitalization and death.

There are a lot of newer dissociative drugs that have hit the market since the early 2000s 3. The vast majority of these research chemicals have not had their safety profiles officially studied. Olney’s lesions are known to occur with high dose or long-term use of NMDA antagonists, including ketamine and PCP. These lesions are characterized by a reduction in white matter in the brain — leading to cognitive deficits and memory loss.

What are psychedelic and dissociative drugs?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy—or ketamine-assisted therapy, if that substance is used—is when the use of psychedelic or dissociative drugs is integrated with other treatments, mainly talk therapy. Though more research is needed, scientists theorize that these substances promote brain changes that have the potential to promote healthy thought patterns,13 potentially supporting the effectiveness of talk therapy. This is likely why dissociatives are considered to be addictive with a fair to moderate potential for abuse, unlike psychedelics. The class of drugs known as dissociative drugs distort users’ perceptions of sight and sound and create feelings of detachment—or dissociation—from their environment and self. Although these effects are mind-altering, they are not technically hallucinations.

Challenging Experiences for Participants

This is the primary mechanism of action for DXM, PCP, ketamine, nitrous oxide, MXE,  xenon gas, and many others in this class. What do ketamine, PCP, MXE, nitrous oxide, and DXM all have in common? They’re dissociative drugs — which means they have the capacity to dissolve one’s sense of self. Addiction to dissociative drugs is a serious medical condition that requires professional treatment.

Known on the street as “Special K” or simply “K,” the drug is still used medically as for human anesthesia and a sedative for animals. It is also widely used for suicidal ideation when someone suffers from a major depressive disorder. It contains compounds like THC that interact with the brain, leading to changes in perception, mood, and cognition.

• This blog post delves into the nature of dissociative drugs, their effects, risks, and the ongoing debate about their safety and potential therapeutic applications.
• These drugs have a glow at first, but their positive effects can take a quick turn in the opposite direction.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please seek help from your healthcare provider.
• Still, some studies suggest that frequent and prolonged use of drugs like PCP can cause the user to develop a high tolerance for the drug.
• Information on the use of psychedelic and dissociative drugs is collected by several national surveys.

Long-Term Physical Effects of Dissociatives

• The very fabric of time and existence is challenged, but the suppression of emotions and connection with the body prevent this experience from being scary or uncomfortable.
• These users may take the drug for a wide range of social or recreational reasons, such as stress relief, personal enjoyment, or out of curiosity.
• This is the central component linking all dissociative substances together.
• These drugs are typically used in conjunction with therapy to manage symptoms.

The individual effects of each dissociative can vary greatly between each person using them. Do you or a loved one need help recovering from a dissociative drug addiction? Our experienced team provides much-needed empathy and helpful resources to combat all types of addictions. Dissociative drugs like PCP can cause a strong dependency, and extended use can Dissociative Drugs List cause severe long-term effects and influence the user to behave in strange and dangerous ways. While no long-term side effects have been noted, this is more likely due to the absence of habitual users than from a total lack of negative side effects.

Chronic Pain

The main feeling shared by all dissociatives is the detachment from the self or from the environment. This is the central component linking all dissociative substances together. Talk to your healthcare provider to create a treatment program that meets all your needs. You should keep in mind that follow-ups are critical to the success of drug abuse treatments to prevent relapses.

How do psychedelic and dissociative drugs affect the mind and body?

A single dose of xenon can range anywhere from $40–$100 and only provides enough gas for about 3 minutes of experience. However, it was quickly replaced with ketamine because roughly one in five patients would exhibit severe responses to the drug — often lasting 12 hours or more. In a state of complete dissociation, users temporarily attain a zen-like state of consciousness.

Some dissociative drugs have FDA-approved medical uses, but they are also illegally used for recreational and social purposes. So what are dissociative drugs, and how do they affect the body and mind? Check out our guide to learn more about dissociative drugs and the implications of drug abuse.

Dissociative Drug Abuse Treatment

These drugs have a glow at first, but their positive effects can take a quick turn in the opposite direction. The road leads to depression, delusional thought patterns, memory loss, and further disconnection from the self. While there are certainly horrors to PCP and other dissociative drugs (especially in high doses or long-term use) — many of these reports have been grossly overexaggerated. Most dissociatives produce the majority of their psychoactive effects by blocking the NMDA receptors.

Dissociatives and strong analgesics are often the drugs of choice for this effect because of their capacity to temporarily induce a state of bliss and mute one’s inner dialog. Most dissociatives, when used at the right dose and in moderation, aren’t going to result in significant side effects or turn people into blood-thirsty monsters. Stimulating dissociatives, such as PCP, ketamine, DCK, O-PCE, and MXE, have all been linked with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke with long-term habitual use. People using dissociatives long-term often experience problems with memory, concentration, emotional stability, energy levels, and sleep. Dissociative drugs have conflicting effects — they’re stimulating and sedating, neuroprotective 6, and neurotoxic, and have addictive and anti-addictive 7 qualities. The effect comes down largely to which drug is being used, how often, and in what dose.

The short-term effects of dissociative drugs are numerous, lasting anywhere from a few hours to several days. Specific effects may vary depending on the person taking them, the type of dissociative drug being used, and the dosage. Higher doses of the drug usually come with more intense short-term effects. They must assess the role of set and setting and the importance of the psychedelic or mystical experience that may accompany use of the drugs. Dissociative drugs include substances such as ketamine, PCP (phencyclidine), and dextromethorphan (DXM).

Still, some studies suggest that frequent and prolonged use of drugs like PCP can cause the user to develop a high tolerance for the drug. This highly addictive drug can be consumed by taking a pill, snorting a powder, or smoking it with marijuana or nicotine. In comparison to other dissociative drugs, PCP is considered one of the most unpredictable, since it can cause severe side effects when taken in high doses. PCP is known to cause cravings and dependency, with users constantly using and looking for the drug in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. If you or someone you know is going through a struggle with dissociative drugs, please seek help from your healthcare provider immediately. You might also find it helpful to learn about the signs of addiction and potential treatments for managing abuse to combat the effects.