DELIRIANT

deliriant: translation

Also known astrue hallucinogenandanticholinergic hallucinogen. The term deliriant comes from the Latin verbdelirare, which means to go off the furrow, to derail. It is used to denote a subclass of the " hallucinogens characterized by the ability to induce a state of acute " delirium. Such acute states can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including hallucinations, restlessness, agitation, and fugue states. Some examples of deliriants are alkaloids such as belladonna, mandrake, henbane, datura, atropine, and scopo-lamine, and antihistaminics such as diphenhy-dramine and dimenhydrinate. The mode ofaction of the deliriants is thought to be through inhibition of the action of acetylcholine in the CNS. The term deliriant is used in opposition to the terms " psychedelic and " dissociative. In some classifications, the deliriants are considered a subgroup of the dissociatives. A person intentionally employing deliriants for the purpose of exploring the psyche may be called a " psychonaut.

Nichols, D.E. (2004). Hallucinogens.Pharmacology&Therapeutics, 101, 131-181.