One word of caution, as you discuss specific drugs and drug classes (in this unit and in future units), many of you will have personal experience regarding some of these substances. Please remember to share what you have learned from the course materials. This is important to demonstrate what you have learned. In particular, please refrain from sharing examples that are highly personal in nature.
People seek to alter their consciousness at times when they experience discomfort. This may be physical (e.g., pain) or psychological (e.g., social anxiety). In this discussion, please compare the use of hallucinogens, in primitive and modern cultures, to alter consciousness by addressing the following:
Start by discussing how the problems related to hallucinogen misuse (as well as misuse of other drug classes) relate the reasons for the various drug classifications in the DEA Drug Schedules?
Conduct research using the assigned reading and University Library to learn about a specific culture (e.g., Native American, rave) and its members’ use of hallucinogens.
Which drugs are used by the selected culture? Explain the route of administration and how it affects the brain (e.g., drug interaction).
Based on what you have learned about hallucinogens and how to intervene with individual populations, explain the difference in the clinical approach of explaining the risk of hallucinogen use for these two groups:
A Native American client who uses peyote as part of their religious practice.
A young adult client who uses MDMA at raves.
