Abuse of Magic Mushroom, Peyote Cactus, LSD, Khat, and Volatiles

Abuse of hallucinogens such as magic mushroom, peyote cactus, LSD, khat, and volatile substances occurs in the United States, though less commonly than marijuana or cocaine. Eating wild mushrooms is dangerous because misidentifying toxic mushrooms as magic mushrooms can be fatal. Magic mushroom's psychedelic action comes from psilocybin converting to psilocin after ingestion; peyote's active ingredient is mescaline. LSD abuse, widespread in the 1960s, continues today. Khat leaves, chewed in parts of Africa and now abused in Europe and the US, contain cathinone, which is structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine. Volatile abuse, common among young people, involves toluene and hydrocarbons and is injurious to health, sometimes causing death.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Although less common than abuse of marijuana and cocaine, abuse of magic mushroom, peyote cactus, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), khat, and volatiles is observed in the United States. Eating wild mushroom is dangerous because misidentification of toxic mushroom as magic mushroom may be fatal. Magic mushroom contains psilocybin and psilocin but major psychedelic action of magic mushroom is due to rapid conversion of psilocybin to psilocin after ingestion. Active ingredient of peyote cactus is mescaline. Abuse of LSD was widespread in 1960s but this drug is still abused today. Khat leaves are chewed in certain parts of Africa but with migration, this product is also abused in Europe and United States. Major active ingredient of khat plant is cathinone, which is structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine. Volatile abuse is widespread among young people. Abusing volatiles containing toluene, hydrocarbons, and other compounds with highvapor pressure is injurious to health. Such abuse may even cause death.