National Certified Addiction Counselor, Level 2 (NCAC II) Practice Exam Exam

How long can someone expect to experience effects from chronic use of a psychedlic drug?

1. 2-4 hours

2. 4-8 hours

3. 5-7 hours

4. 8-10 hours

The correct answer is: 8-10 hours

The experience of effects from chronic use of a psychedelic drug can extend beyond the typical duration seen with occasional use. Psychedelic drugs, such as LSD or psilocybin, can produce prolonged effects on perception, cognition, and mood due to their action on serotonin receptors in the brain. Chronic use can lead to tolerance and variations in duration due to individual differences in metabolism, dosage, and method of use. In general, while the acute effects of many psychedelics last anywhere from 4 to 8 hours for common doses, chronic use can lead to scaling up those effects, where the psychological impact may persist longer due to accumulated changes in brain chemistry and processing. In fact, some estimates suggest that after long-term use, the dissociative effects and residual influences on thought and mood may be felt for upwards of 8-10 hours or even longer in some cases. Thus, the answer indicating a range of 8-10 hours reflects the potentially extended duration of effects due to the complexities involved in chronic psychedelic use.