It’s summer again. Time for long nights out, beach visits, and tanning in the sun. Summer is also popular for music festivals, such as the “Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival” in California, and “Tomorrowland” in Belgium. Thousands of young students and individuals alike visit these festivals, and they are said to be incredible experiences. However, taking drugs, primarily LSD and other hallucinogens is popular among many festival goers. But is LSD still as notorious as it was at the time of Woodstock, or is there really no harm in “popping a molly”?
I’m sure everyone has seen at least one Youtube video with a title similar to, “Person Freaking Out at Music Festival.” According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, hallucinogens (including but not limited to LSD) “are a diverse group of drugs that alter perception (awareness of surrounding objects and conditions), thoughts, and feelings.” It’s pretty clear when someone is "tripping” on a hallucinogen, as it can cause sweating, paranoia, and sometimes agitation. With music festivals happening primarily in the summer, festivals like Coachella can reach up to over one hundred degrees.
While the short term effects of hallucinogens can include a “euphoric” and “mind enhancing” high, the NIDA explains that there are two possible drawbacks to hallucinogen usage. With hallucinogen users easily susceptible to tolerance level increase, more amounts of hallucinogens are required to achieve that “same high.” Persistent psychosis is a mental issue common in those with long term usage of LSD and other hallucinogens like PCP. It causes paranoia, anxiety and depression, as well as visual disturbances. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) includes the invasion of hallucinations in everyday life, as well as neurological problems such as stroke and brain tumors. However, there is not copious amounts of data toward these claims. Scientists have yet to uncover much information on hallucinogens, and they have yet to completely understand many of the qualities of some of the substances.
Some people fail to make it past their first time trying hallucinogens. A 15-year-old girl died after overdosing on ecstasy at the famous, “Electric Daisy Carnival” in 2010. The rave as a “16-and-over” event, but the girl managed to sneak in “without her parents knowledge.” In 2015, two girls just shy of being 20 died hours apart after an “overdose of hallucinogens,” primarily ecstasy. Last month, five people died of a suspected drug overdose during a festival in Argentina. Police confiscated “large quantities of designer drugs” from other party-goers at the festival, including “cocaine, 182 ecstasy pills, and LSD.” These festivals are primarily aimed towards the ages 16-25, where many might have little to no knowledge of illicit drug usage.
In high school, I was always warned to never take a pill from someone you don’t know. This is because hallucinogens can be tampered with synthetically, and while you may think you are taking a certain kind of drug, there could be components of other, harsher drugs within the substance. Remaining hydrated is said to be the key to stabilization under the influence of hallucinogens, and many music festivals have prioritized their medical staff and drug-related prevention means. While the festivals may include memories some will never forget, there are people lost to the negative effects of popular hallucinogens that cannot be forgotten. Summer is a time for fun and relaxation, but it’s a year-round decision to be conscious of your decisions when it comes to drug usage.
