Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder

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Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a neurological disorder characterized by a continual presence of sensory disturbances, most commonly visual, that are reminiscent of those generated by the use of hallucinogenic substances.

Pronunciation

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder: /həˌluːsɪnədʒən pərˈsɪstɪŋ pərˈsɛpʃən dɪsˈɔːrdər/

Etymology

The term "Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder" is derived from the effects of hallucinogenic substances. "Hallucinogen" comes from the Latin hallucinari meaning "to wander in the mind", "persisting" from the Latin persistere meaning "to continue steadfastly", and "perception disorder" indicating a disruption in the processes of recognizing and interpreting sensory stimuli.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of HPPD is the persistent experience of visual phenomena that are similar to those produced while under the influence of a hallucinogen. These can include halos or auras around light sources, trails following moving objects, macropsia or micropsia, and spontaneous, fleeting flashes of color or intricate images.

Causes

HPPD is thought to be caused by changes in neuronal excitability in the visual cortex following hallucinogen use. The exact mechanism is not well understood, but it is believed to involve a disruption in the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission.

Treatment

Treatment for HPPD is primarily symptomatic, focusing on reducing the severity of the visual disturbances and any associated psychiatric symptoms. This can include the use of benzodiazepines, antipsychotic drugs, and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Related Terms

External links

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