Uses of Hallucinogens

People have used hallucinogens for religious and healing rituals for centuries. Today, many people use these drugs recreationally.

Healthcare providers do not consider any amount of psychedelic use completely safe. However, researchers are investigating the potential of certain hallucinogens as treatments for mental health conditions — such as depression and anxiety — when used under supervision.

How Do Hallucinogens Work?

Hallucinogens affect communication between networks in the brain.

Some drugs interrupt the action of serotonin, a key neurotransmitter that plays a role in:

• Sleep
• Hunger
• Mood
• Body temperature
• Sensory perception

Other hallucinogens affect glutamate, a different neurotransmitter involved in:

• Emotions
• Pain perception
• Learning and memory
• Responses to the environment

What is LSD?

The meaning of LSD is lysergic acid diethylamide. It’s a powerful, mind-altering drug made from lysergic acid, a chemical found in a fungus that grows on rye and other grains.

LSD typically appears as a clear or white material. People often soak small squares of blotting paper in LSD and then swallow these “acid tabs.” It can also come in tablets or capsules.

The effects of LSD can make a person lose touch with reality. They may experience vivid visions, blending of senses, or perceptions that are distorted, such as “smelling colors” or “hearing sounds.” These effects typically last from 9 to 12 hours.

LSD isn’t considered physically addictive — it doesn’t cause uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior. However, frequent use can lead to tolerance, which means a person may need to increase their dosage to achieve the same effects.

What is Peyote?

Peyote is a small, spineless cactus that contains mescaline, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. The main active ingredient is found in the crown of the cactus, which consists of disk-shaped “buttons.” These are typically cut, dried, and then chewed or soaked in water to create an intoxicating liquid.

The hallucinogenic dose of mescaline is about 0.3–0.5 grams, with effects lasting up to 12 hours. Due to its bitter taste, some people boil the cactus for hours to make a tea. Peyote can also be produced synthetically in a laboratory.

Peyote is one of the oldest known psychedelics and has a rich history of ceremonial use by Native Americans. The effects of peyote can vary based on a person’s body, drug history, and expectations, but may include:

• Vivid mental images
• Altered perception of space and time
• Distorted sense of body
• Loss of sense of reality

 

What is Psilocybin?

Psilocybin comes from certain mushrooms that grow in tropical and subtropical regions of the United States, Mexico, and South America. Often called magic mushrooms or ’shrooms’, these fungi typically contain less than 0.5% psilocybin, alongside small traces of psilocin, another psychedelic compound.

You can consume psilocybin in many forms — by cooking the mushrooms, boiling them into a tea, or eating them raw. To mask their bitter taste, some people combine psilocybin with chocolate, making “mushroom chocolates” a popular option.

Psilocybin’s effects can range from heightened senses and vivid imagination to impaired judgment. However, not all experiences are pleasurable; “bad trips” may manifest as frightening hallucinations, paranoia, depression, or panic attacks.

What is PCP?

PCP, or phencyclidine, is a dissociate drug also known as angel dust or killer weed. It comes in various forms — including liquid, powder, tablets, and capsules — and people typically swallow, snort, inject, or smoke it.

Originally developed in the 1950s as a general anesthetic, PCP was withdrawn from medical use in 1965 due to its severe side effects.

PCP produces an out-of-body feeling, and the “coming down” effects can make a person agitated and irrational. At high doses, PCP can cause seizures, coma, and even death, often due to suicide or accidents related to its disorienting effects.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociate anesthetic that doctors use during surgery on humans and animals. Much of the ketamine used recreationally is stolen from veterinary offices.

People typically snort it as a powder or swallow it as a pill, but it can also be injected as a liquid.

The effects of ketamine include an out-of-body feeling, which some find pleasurable and others find frightening or disorienting.

What is salvia?

Salvia divinorum, or simply salvia, is a plant native to southern Mexico and Central and South America. Traditionally, people chew its leaves or drink its juice, but it’s also smoked or vaporized. It’s sometimes called sage of the seers or diviner’s sage.

The effects of salvia include vision-like hallucinations, blending of senses, and a feeling of floating above the ground or traveling through time.

What is DMT?

DMT stands for dimethyltryptamine, a naturally occurring chemical found in some plants native to the Amazon. One traditional use of these plants is in the preparation of ayahuasca, a type of tea known by names such as hoasca, aya, or yagé.

DMT can also be produced synthetically in a laboratory. In this form, it usually appears as a white powder that people commonly smoke.

What adverse effects do hallucinogens have on health?

Unpleasant side effects are common with hallucinogen use due to the many psychoactive compounds in these drugs. The severity of effects often depends on the dose taken. Some common adverse effects include:

• Dilated pupils (mydriasis)
• Increased body temperature
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) and flushing
• Loss of appetite
• Sleeplessness or drowsiness
• Dry mouth (xerostomia)
• Tremors
• Uncoordinated movements (ataxia)
• Muscle relaxation or weakness
• Nausea and vomiting

PCP (phencyclidine) use is linked to a wide range of side effects:

At low to moderate doses, a person may experience:

• Slight increase in breathing rate
• Pronounced rise in blood pressure and pulse
• Shallow breathing (tachypnea)
• Flushing and excessive sweating
• Generalized numbness in limbs
• Loss of muscle coordination

At high doses, PCP can cause:

• Drop in blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiration
• Nausea and vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Eye movements (flicking up and down)
• Drooling
• Loss of balance and dizziness

PCP use frequently results in emergency room visits due to overdose or severe psychological effects. While intoxicated, users may become violent or suicidal, posing danger to themselves and others. High doses can cause seizures, coma, and death, often related to accidents or suicide during intoxication. Because PCP can act as a sedative, combining it with other central nervous system depressants, like alcohol, increases the risk of coma.

What treatment options exist?

Treatment for hallucinogen intoxication, especially during “bad trips,” focuses on supportive care. Providers usually place the person in a quiet, low-stimulation environment. If necessary, medications like benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax®) may be given to control severe agitation or seizures.

There are no specific medications to treat hallucinogen use or substance use disorder (SUD) caused by these drugs. However, inpatient care and behavioral therapies can help people struggling with substance use disorders.

Additional Common Questions

Is weed a hallucinogen?

Yes. Researchers classify weed (cannabis) as a hallucinogen. While marijuana doesn’t always cause hallucinogenic effects, it can at high doses.

Can hallucinogens be used as medicines?

Research on psychedelics is re-emerging in modern medicine. Clinical studies have shown promising results for psilocybin as a treatment for certain mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and mood disorders. Psilocybin may also help with:

• Cluster headaches
• Phantom limb pain
• Chronic pain

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Nearly all hallucinogens are illegal, and researchers do not consider any amount of use safe. These drugs can cause many harmful effects to your health and well-being and pose risks to those around you. Long-term use may lead to dependence.

If you have questions about hallucinogen use or suspect you may have a substance use disorder, contact your healthcare provider. Support is available—you don’t have to face this alone.