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DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SETHallucinogens are powerful mind altering drugs that affect how you perceive your senses like vision, taste, smell, feel etc and depending on quantity and quality sometimes make you imagine things or hallucinate, hence their name. The effects and dangers of both acid and magic mushrooms are very similar. The most common hallucinogens in New Zealand are "acid" or LSD and magic mushrooms which contain Psilocybin or Psilocin. Acid or LSD Form Acid is a transparent crystal in its pure form but most commonly sold soaked into small squares of blotting paper called tabs, blotters or trips. These are usually made in sheets and then cut up into pieces about 5mm square. Usually the squares have a printed colour design on them; for example strawberries, penguins, superman symbols etc. Occasionally acid or LSD is sold in small coloured pills that have been impregnated with the drug and are tiny (2-3mm across), these are called microdots. They often contain a higher concentration of the drug, up to 250 micrograms, than the blotting paper squares which generally contain around 50 micrograms. Desired Effects The effects of acid start about 30 minutes after taking it, peak after about 2 hours and can last for several hours after that. Acid alters the way in which you perceive the outside world; the brightness of lights fluctuates, sounds shift from load to quiet and vice-versa. textures feel different and some things you see can appear to change shape. If the dose is strong, you may hallucinate, sometimes this can be pleasant and sometimes very unpleasant. Acid is introspective, that is you may start to see the world from a whole new perspective and feel that you have reached a whole new level of understanding. This is an illusion which you have paid for. During particularly strong trips its possible to have an "out-of-body" experience. this is where you feel that your body and mind have become separated. This can be very frightening for people who are not prepared for it. Administration Acid or trips are generally swallowed and are much safer this way. Dissolving acid and injecting it can be quite dangerous as the intensity of the drug can be very frightening. Acid is unpredictable and the effects are quite contextual; that is if you are feeling happy and relaxed then it can be very enjoyable. If you are moody upset, anxious or depressed the effects can be very unpleasant. Addictive Potential Acid is not physically addictive, however tolerance grows very quickly. For example if you took acid everyday for a week, by the end of the week it would appear to have little or no effect on you. Acid is not psychologically addictive Dangers  The principle danger is for people with underlying, often undiagnosed, psychological problems. for whom using acid may lead to a psychotic episode. If the hallucinogenic effects or delusional thoughts continue a day after you have used acid you should contact your nearest Mental Health Service.
Taking large doses of acid can bring back suppressed memories. If you have a history of trauma or have been abused. Taking acid may not be a good idea.
Unpleasant trips cannot be stopped at will, you have to wait for the drug to wear off. In this respect acid is safer used in a group setting so that if something goes wrong and someone "freaks out" then there is someone they know there to help them.
First-timers or the inexperienced should be told what to expect so that they do not get into a panic if the effects are very strong. Paranoia is not uncommon and having friends with you to help you re-focus can be invaluable.
Some people who have had bad trips may experience flashbacks, sometimes weeks or months after the actual event. If this happens try to remain calm, if you're driving or operating machinery stop and go somewhere quiet until the effect fades.
Undesired Effects Bad trips can be very frightening. Long-term use can lead to memory and concentration problems. Flashbacks can occur (See above). Temporary or permanent changes to your vision can occur although rare. Harm Reduction Not using acid is the safest option. If you choose to use acid: Plan ahead; if you are going out tripping with friends its best to make all travel and other arrangements before you take the drug. Make sure everyone understands where you are going and what you are going to do. Disorientation is common.
Don't use acid if you are unhappy, anxious, sad or angry, the emotional effects may well give you an unpleasant and frightening experience.
If you are a first-timer or an occasional user don't take a whole trip, take half or a quarter and top up after 2-3 hours if you want to increase the effect. If you are with friends make sure they know you have taken more so they can keep an eye on you.
If you are not having a good time change your environment, take your friends go outside and get some fresh air.
The strength of trips varies a lot, always ask a supplier about the strength of the drug and what effects you can expect.
Acid is often taken to expand a sexual experience. Remember to be ready to have sex, get some condoms and lube so that you can have safer sex.
Don't try to mentally control the trip or examine everything you do, wondering if its normal or not. This will send you into paranoia and be unpleasant.
Don't drive a car, ride a bike or use machinery.
Magic MushroomsForm Magic mushrooms are wild fungi from two main groups; the psilocybe and amanita species. Desired Effects Mushrooms usually take half an hour to start working. Users will feel happy and euphoric, they may get the giggles and feel detached from the world and on a different wavelength to everyone else. Users usually become excited and engrossed in what they're doing. Hallucinations, both visual and audible are common, these can be pleasant or unpleasant. Awareness of time reduces. Like acid the trip is contextual and you should not use mushrooms if you are upset, unhappy, anxious or angry, the results are unpredictable. Administration Usually swallowed Fresh, dried or pickled mushrooms are eaten raw or cooked, or they're boiled up into a mushroom tea. Dried mushrooms can also be rolled up with tobacco in a joint, or smoked in a pipe. Addictive Potential Magic mushrooms are not physically addictive, however tolerance grows very quickly. For example if you take them everyday for a week, by the end of the week it would appear to have little or no effect on you. Magic mushrooms are not psychologically addictive Dangers
The principle danger is for people with underlying, often undiagnosed, psychological problems. for whom using magic mushrroms may lead to a psychotic episode. If the hallucinogenic effects or delusional thoughts continue a day after you have used acid you should contact your nearest Mental Health Service.
Taking larger doses can bring back suppressed memories. If you have a history of trauma or have been abused. Taking magic mushrooms may not be a good idea.
Unpleasant trips cannot be stopped at will, you have to wait for the drug to wear off. In this respect magic mushrooms are safer used in a group setting so that if something goes wrong and someone "freaks out" then there is someone they know there to help them.
First-timers or the inexperienced should be told what to expect so that they do not get into a panic if the effects are very strong. Paranoia is not uncommon and having friends with you to help you re-focus can be invaluable.
Some people who have had bad trips may experience flashbacks, sometimes weeks or months after the actual event. If this happens try to remain calm, if you're driving or operating machinery stop and go somewhere quiet until the effect fades.
Undesired Effects Bad trips can be very frightening. Long-term use can lead to memory and concentration problems. Flashbacks can occur (See above). Temporary or permanent changes to your vision can occur although rare. Harm Reduction Not using magic mushrooms is the safest option. If you choose to use magic mushrooms: Plan ahead; if you are going out tripping with friends its best to make all travel and other arrangements before you take the drug. Make sure everyone understands where you are going and what you are going to do. Disorientation is common.
Don't use magic mushrooms if you are unhappy, anxious, sad or angry, the emotional effects may well give you an unpleasant and frightening experience.
Its best to go mushroom hunting with someone who knows what they're doing. Some mushrooms which look like Psilocybin mushrooms can be extremely poisonous. If you are with friends make sure they know you have taken more so they can keep an eye on you.
If you are not having a good time change your environment, take your friends go outside and get some fresh air.
The strength of magic mushrooms vary a lot, if you can ask other users about the strength of the mushrooms and what effects you can expect. the effects can be unpredictable. It is wisest to wait for the drug to come on before deciding whether you want to go out and party.
Mushrooms are often taken to expand a sexual experience. Remember to be ready to have sex, get some condoms and lube so that you can have safer sex.
Don't try to mentally control the trip or examine everything you do, wondering if its normal or not. This will send you into paranoia and be unpleasant.
Don't drive a car, ride a bike or use machinery.
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