What is a Hallucinogen?

What is a hallucinogen? Find out more about these mind-altering drugs by reading our latest article below.

Hallucinogens are a category of drugs that produce mind-altering effects when a user takes them. Hallucinogens are often classified into two categories: classic hallucinogens and dissociative drugs. Both substances produce a euphoric effect or hallucinations. When a user takes a hallucinogen, they often feel out of control or a disconnect from their mind or body.

Hallucinogens initially come from natural products, such as mushrooms or poppy plants. Over the years, developers have combined or added substances to create synthetic hallucinogens. Many are addictive. Some are dangerous and can cause health problems or even fatalities.

Types of Hallucinogens

What is a hallucinogen? They can include LSD, Psilocybin, Peyote, DMT, and 251-NBOMe.

Common examples of hallucinogens include:

LSD (D-Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD is one of the most popular and powerful mind-altering substances. It is made from lysergic acid, which is an odorless white material. Also, the fungus develops on rye or other common grains. There are several street names for LSD, including mellow yellow, acid, dots, or blotter acid.

PCP (Phencyclidine)

PCP began as an anesthetic for surgery in the 1950s. However, doctors noticed severe side effects of the drug and stopped prescribing it. Additionally, PCP comes in a variety of forms, including capsules, liquid, tablets, and white crystal powder. Common street names include peace pill, angel dust, love boat, and hot.

Peyote (Mescaline)

Users derive peyote from a small, spineless cactus. Mescaline is the main ingredient that is extracted from the cactus plant. While mescaline can be taken naturally, many developers today create a synthetic version of the drug. Common names for peyote include buttons, mesc, and cactus.

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

DXM has grown enormously popular with teenagers and people who spend time in dance clubs. The drug is highly accessible because it comes from cough suppressants. As a result, teenagers can get the drug over the counter at any grocery or pharmacy. Additionally, they get high from the drug by taking large amounts of cough medicine.

DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine)

DMT originates with Amazonian plants and used as a drug or as an additive to tea or other drinks. The ayahuasca plant produces a drug that can produce a serious hallucination for long periods. DMT is both a natural and a synthetic drug. It is popular because it is believed to have healing powers.

How Hallucinogens Affect the Brain

What is a hallucinogen? It is a drug that has a powerful effect on the brain.

Classic hallucinogens disrupt communication between brain activity and the spinal cords. Dissociative hallucinogenic drugs interfere with brain function. Both types can affect mood, sensory perception, appetite, sleep, sexual behavior, body temperature, emotions, memory, and pain perception.

When someone takes a hallucinogen, they are likely to experience side effects, such as an increase in heart rate, nausea, poor coordination, or panic. Therefore, after taking a hallucinogen, people often engage in bizarre behaviors.