Driving Under the Influence of Hallucinogens

Hallucinogenic drugs are one of seven categories of drugs that Drug Recognition Experts look for in a driving under the influence evaluation.

This article discusses the effects and signs of hallucinogenic drug use.

The hallucinogenic drugs include LSD, Mushrooms, Peyote, and Mescaline.

Drug Recognition Experts are officers trained to determine if a driver is impaired by drugs. The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) looks for signs of drug use and impairment and then makes a guess about which type of drug a person may have used.

The DREs have divided commonly used drugs into seven categories, one of which is hallucinogenic drugs. Each category of drugs produces different side effects and signs of use. The DRE will ask a driver to perform a series of tests, and then performs an evaluation of the driver.

The results of the test are used by the DRE to guess which type of drug a driver used (if they don’t already know from admissions or a search).

What Behaviors of Clues Indicate Hallucinogen Use?

Dazed appearance
Disoriented
Disorientation
Difficulty in speech
Paranoia
Perspiring
Poor perception of time and sitance
Memory loss
Flashback
Uncoordinated
Hallucinations
Nausea
Body tremors
Synesthesia
Piloerection (LSD)

What are the Signs of Hallucinogen Use?

Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus – None

Vertical Gaze Nystagmus – None

Lack of Convergence – None

Pupil Size – Dilated

Reaction to Light – Normal. Certain psychedelic amphetamines may cause slowing.

Pulse Rate – Up

Blood Pressure – Up

Body Temperature – Up

Muscle Tone – Rigid

Signs of overdose – Long, intense trip

Time of Drug Effects

Varies widely between particular drugs