The drugs that are often reported in cases of drug-induced psychosis, and are most likely to result in psychotic symptoms, include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, psychedelic drugs such as LSD, and club drugs such as ecstasy and MDMA.
The representative drugs that can cause psychosis are amphetamine, scopolamine, ketamine, phencyclidine (PCP), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) [7].
Certain drugs, particularly cannabis, cocaine, LSD or amphetamines, may trigger symptoms of schizophrenia in people who are susceptible. Using amphetamines or cocaine can lead to psychosis, and can cause a relapse in people recovering from an earlier episode.
Drugs that induce psychosis usually have short term effects on an individual's brain function and can last anywhere from 30 minutes to 24 hours. Short term drug induced psychosis symptoms are usually followed by drug withdrawal symptoms that resemble schizophrenic delusions and hallucinations.
Substance-induced psychosis (commonly known as toxic psychosis or drug-induced psychosis) is a form of psychosis that is attributed to substance use. It is a psychosis that results from the effects of chemicals or drugs, including those produced by the body itself.
What Drugs can send you into Psychosis? The drugs that are often reported in cases of drug-induced psychosis, and are most likely to result in psychotic symptoms, include cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, methamphetamine, psychedelic drugs such as LSD, and club drugs such as ecstasy and MDMA.
Examples of Paranoid Delusions
They may say things like: "They are out to ruin my reputation." "They put tracking technologies in my medications." "I know my employer put a camera in my home."
Let the person know that you recognise the feelings that can be evoked by the delusions. For example, you could say: 'It must feel very frightening to think that there is a conspiracy against you. ' Respond to the underlying feelings and encourage discussion of these rather than the content of the delusion.
What causes psychosis? There is no one specific cause of psychosis. Psychosis may be a symptom of a mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. However, a person may experience psychosis and never be diagnosed with schizophrenia or any other mental disorder.
In many cases, the psychotic symptoms you experience will only last while the substance is in your system. After intoxication and withdrawal, you will return to your normal functioning. All hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms will fade. In other situations, though, your symptoms could persist.
Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that cause abnormal thinking and perceptions. People with psychoses lose touch with reality. Two of the main symptoms are delusions and hallucinations.
Persecutory type: This is one of the most common types of delusions and patients can be anxious, irritable, aggressive, or even assaultive - some patients may be litigious.
Delusions are common to several mental disorders and can be triggered by sleep disturbance and extreme stress, but they can also occur in physical conditions, including brain injury or tumor, drug addiction and alcoholism, and somatic illness.
People can experience hallucinations when they're high on illegal drugs such as amphetamines, cocaine, LSD or ecstasy. They can also occur during withdrawal from alcohol or drugs if you suddenly stop taking them. Drug-induced hallucinations are usually visual, but they may affect other senses.
Drugs do not directly cause schizophrenia, however, studies have shown drug misuse increases the risk of developing schizophrenia or a similar illness. It should be noted that certain drugs like amphetamines can induce schizophrenia-like side effects, but these side effects will be temporary.
It is suggested that psychosis is due to an affection of the supplementary motor area (SMA), located at the centre of the Medial Frontal Lobe network.
An untreated episode of psychosis can result in structural brain damage due to neurotoxicity.