

Words on a page, sign, or screen may appear to move or shake. For example, you may see snowflakes in panes of glass. This symptom may cause you to see something where it isn’t. For example, leaves on a tree may look like they make a checkerboard pattern to you but no one else. Shapes and patterns may appear in something you’re looking at, despite the pattern not really being present. Lingering outlines of an image or object may follow or trail through your vision. When you’re looking at an object, a glowing rim may appear around it. Objects in your peripheral vision may appear larger or smaller than they really are. What is actually red to everyone else may appear an entirely different color to you. You may have a difficult time telling similar colors apart, and you may also swap colors in your brain. Bold bursts of unexplained color may pop into your field of vision. Colorful objects seem bright and more vivid. People who experience visual disturbances caused by HPPD often experience one or more of the following symptoms: Read on to learn more about HPPD, the symptoms you might experience if you have it, and how you can find relief. That makes what doctors and researchers do know about the condition limited as well. īecause so few cases of HPPD are officially diagnosed, research is quite limited. Type 1 HPPD is typically experienced as brief, random “flashbacks.” On the other hand, type 2 HPPD is generally long term, disturbing, and pervasive. Researchers have recognized two forms of HPPD (type 1 and type 2). Likewise, doctors may not be familiar with the condition despite its official recognition in medical curriculum and diagnostic manuals.

It’s unclear how many people experience this condition because people with a history of recreational drug use may not feel comfortable admitting this to their doctor. While flashbacks are sometimes common, HPPD is considered rare. If these visual disturbances occur frequently, you may have a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD).

That’s why these symptoms may be unsettling or upsetting. The interruption in your field of vision can be annoying, disturbing, and possibly debilitating. People experiencing these disturbances may be entirely aware of everything else that’s happening. Instead of a pleasurable trip, they experience perplexing visual effects only.

However, some people have a different flashback experience. It may actually be relaxing and enjoyable. interactions with medications or underlying medical conditionsĭuring some flashbacks, the sensation of reliving the trip or the effects of the drug is pleasant.However, tripping on hallucinogens is potentially quite dangerous, depending on the following: The common term “trip” refers to a drug-induced inner neurological experience in which sensory perception is altered while taking hallucinogenic drugs.įor many, this can be a life-enhancing experience.
