The effects of dissociative drugs include altered perception, thoughts, and emotions, provoking a sense of detachment from reality. While traditional hallucinogens mainly trigger visual or auditory distortions, dissociatives interfere with signals between the brain and body, leading to a dreamlike or out-of-body experience. These substances can cause confusion, loss of coordination, and dissociation from pain and surroundings.
Some dissociative drugs have medical uses, such as anesthesia or cough suppression, but they are also misused for their mind-altering effects. The most well-known dissociative drugs include PCP, ketamine, DXM (dextromethorphan), nitrous oxide, and salvia. Read on to learn more about the effects of dissociative drugs and why they should be avoided unless prescribed for therapeutic purposes.
How Do Dissociative Drugs Work?
Dissociative drugs affect the brain by disrupting the neurotransmitter glutamate, which plays a central role in learning, memory, and perception. By altering glutamate levels, these drugs interfere with communication between the brain’s cortex (responsible for thinking and awareness) and deeper structures that regulate emotions and sensory processing. This interference can cause:
- Detachment from body or surroundings.
- Altered sensory perception, including distorted vision and hearing.
- Reduced sensitivity to pain.
- Changes in mood, from euphoria to paranoia.
The effects can vary depending on the drug, dosage, and individual response. In some severe cases, high doses can prompt hallucinations, memory loss, or psychotic episodes.
Types of Dissociative Drugs
Several dissociative drugs are routinely misused for their mind-altering properties. While some have legitimate medical applications, any recreational use of these substances can bring dangerous physical and psychological consequences. Here are the effects of dissociative drugs broken down by type.
PCP (phencyclidine)
PCP (angel dust) was initially developed as an anesthetic but was discontinued for clinical use due to severe and debilitating side effects. It’s one of the most potent and unpredictable dissociatives.
How PCP Is Used
PCP is found in powder, liquid, and pill form. It’s often snorted, swallowed, or smoked after being applied to marijuana, mint leaves, or tobacco.
Effects of PCP
- Feelings of strength and invincibility.
- Detachment from reality.
- Numbness and loss of coordination.
- Slurred speech or blank stares.
- Paranoia, aggression, and violent behavior.
High doses of PCP can cause seizures, respiratory distress, or coma. Many PCP-related deaths occur due to risky behaviors like self-harm or accidents.
Ketamine
Ketamine is an anesthetic used in hospitals and veterinary medicine. Recently, it has been studied for treating depression resistant to other therapies. Outside medical settings, though, it’s often misused for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects.
How ketamine is used
Found in liquid or powder form, ketamine is snorted, swallowed, or injected. It’s often used in club or party settings due to its rapid and potent effects.
Effects of ketamine
- Feeling disconnected from the body.
- Visual and auditory distortions.
- Memory loss and confusion.
- Increased blood pressure and heart rate.
At high doses, ketamine can lead people to experience a K-hole (a state of complete dissociation) where people are unable to move, speak, or interact with reality.
DXM (dextromethorphan)
DXM is an active ingredient in many OTC cough medicines. While safe when taken as indicated, high doses can cause hallucinogenic and dissociative effects.
How DXM is used
Found in cough syrups, tablets, and gel capsules, people abusing DXM take large amounts to achieve intoxication. It’s often combined with other substances like alcohol or opioids, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes.
Effects of DXM
- Altered perception of time and space.
- Feelings of floating or detachment.
- Nausea, sweating, and increased heart rate.
- Paranoia and hallucinations.
DXM is often mixed with antihistamines like promethazine or painkillers like acetaminophen so that overdosing can cause heart problems, liver damage, or potentially life-threatening sedation.
Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is used in medical and dental procedures for its anesthetic effects. The substance is also misused for its short-lived euphoric and dissociative properties.
How Nitrous Oxide is used
Laughing gas is inhaled from balloons or whipped-cream dispensers known as whippits.
Effects of nitrous oxide
- Giddiness.
- Euphoria.
- Loss of motor control.
- Distorted perception of sound.
- Lack of oxygen, prompting dizziness or unconsciousness.
Repeated use can result in nerve damage due to the depletion of vitamin B12 and suffocation in extreme cases.
Salvia divinorum
Salvia is a plant with psychoactive properties that can cause intense but short-lived hallucinations and dissociation.
How salvia is used
Salvia is chewed, brewed into tea, or smoked. The effects last only a few minutes but can be overpowering.
Effects of salvia
- Feeling disconnected from reality.
- Intense visual distortions.
- Confusion and impaired coordination.
- Emotional swings.
- Uncontrollable laughter.
Although it’s not as addictive as other dissociatives, salvia’s effects can be frightening and disorienting, increasing the risk of injury.
Short-Term Effects of Dissociative Drugs
The immediate effects triggered by dissociatives range from mild sensory distortions to complete detachment from reality.
Common short-term effects include:
- Relaxation.
- Euphoria.
- Numbness.
- Reduced sensitivity to pain.
- Memory loss.
- Confusion.
- Slurred speech.
- Loss of coordination.
- Paranoia.
- Hallucinations.
Higher doses of dissociative drugs can cause severe reactions such as:
- Aggression.
- Agitation.
- Psychotic episodes.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Seizures.
- Dangerous behaviors leading to self-harm or accidents.
Long-Term Effects of Dissociative Drugs
Repeated use of dissociative drugs can bring about lasting physical and psychological complications, such as:
- Cognitive impairment.
- Enduring memory loss.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Speech difficulties.
- Flashbacks.
- Persistent hallucinations.
- Bladder and kidney damage (especially with ketamine).
PCP abuse is linked to long-term psychotic symptoms resembling schizophrenia, including delusions, paranoia, and disorganized thinking.
Risk of Addiction and Dependence
Some dissociatives, like ketamine and PCP, have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. Sustained use can lead to:
- Cravings.
- Compulsive drug-seeking behavior.
- Increased tolerance, so more is required to deliver the initial effects.
- Withdrawal symptoms upon discontinuation.
DXM and nitrous oxide are less physically addictive but can still lead to psychological dependence, especially among young people experimenting with easily accessible substances.
No use of dissociative drugs is safe or recommended unless sanctioned by a healthcare professional.
Treatment for Dissociative Drug Abuse
Recovering from the effects of dissociative drugs typically requires a personalized combination of medical and psychological support. We can help you with this at Anchored Recovery Community.
We offer medical detox programs to help you move beyond dependence on dissociative drugs and prepare you for ongoing outpatient treatment. When you choose an Anchored outpatient program, you can continue with your everyday commitments while getting compassionate and effective treatment during weekday sessions.
Since all addictions to dissociative drugs are unique, all our treatment plans are customized to reflect this. We blend science-backed and holistic interventions to encourage whole-body recovery and help you thrive in sober living.When you’re ready to get back on track from dissociative drug abuse, call admissions at (844) 429-5554.
