Hallucinogens

Quick Facts

Hallucinogens, or psychedelics, are a group of drugs that temporarily alter a person’s perception of reality and change a person’s thoughts and feelings.
Types of hallucinogens include LSD, peyote (mescaline), PCP, psilocybin (mushrooms), ketamine, and others. Other dissociative drugs include salvia and MDMA (ecstasy).
Unpleasant adverse effects from using hallucinogens may include dilated pupils, increased body temperature, loss of appetite, sleepiness, extreme sweating and flushing, drowsiness, tremors, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and nausea and vomiting.
- Some people may also feel extreme emotions such as fear, confusion, or panic.
Hallucinogens have been used for religious and healing rituals for centuries. More recently, they are used recreationally.

Healthcare providers don’t consider any amount of psychedelic drug use safe. However, scientists are now looking into the possibility of using certain hallucinogens (like psilocybin) as provider-supervised treatments for mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety.
The effects of hallucinogens during pregnancy are not well understood and data is limited. PCP and MDMA use during pregnancy have been linked to several congenital heart, lung, urinary, cardiovascular, respiratory, urinary, and musculoskeletal abnormalities in infants.
Using hallucinogens has been linked to dangerous behavior, such as injuries and accidents that may put the user and/or others at risk of harm.
Short-term physical side effects are typically mild to moderate but may require professional care.
A severe overdose of PCP or ketamine can result in respiratory depression, coma, convulsions, seizures, and death due to respiratory arrest. Deaths can also occur due to suicide, accidents, dangerous behavior, or poly-substance use (the use of more than on drug).
Emerging evidence suggests certain hallucinogens may contain dangerous contaminants such as fentanyl. These contaminants may not always be known to the user or the supplier.
Research on long-term mental health effects of psychedelic and dissociative drugs is ongoing.

Yamhill County Substance Use Programs offer a wide array of treatment options and programs for adults and youth, please visit our Alcohol and Drug Treatment page or call 503-434-7523 for more information.