There are several different kinds of hallucinogenic drugs. Most of them fall into one of two categories: classic hallucinogen or dissociative. Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelics, cause visual, auditory, and sensory hallucinations. Dissociative drugs cause a sense of detachment as well as hallucinations.

Some of the most common classic hallucinogens include:

• LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide). This substance, also known as “Acid,” “Dots,” “Blotter acid,” “Window Pane,” and “Mellow Yellow,” is one of the most potent mood and perception-altering drugs. The odorless drug comes from ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. In addition to changing how individuals perceive reality, LSD can alter individuals’ moods and cause hallucinations. Visual distortions are the most common type of sensory distortions caused by LSD. This perception change often looks like seeing sounds, hearing colors, and feeling smells. Most people take LSD as a capsule or liquid, but people can also consume the drug via blotter paper dosed with LSD liquid. Even though a standard dose of LSD is equal to micro-milligrams, the drug’s effects can last up to 12 hours.
• Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N, N-dimethyltryptamine) is a substance extracted from certain mushrooms found in South America, Mexico, and the United States. More than 180 species of mushrooms contain psilocybin. The drug, known as “magic mushrooms,” can be eaten raw or fresh, mixed with food, or brewed as tea. Others dry the substance, mix it with tobacco or marijuana, and smoke it. When consumed, psilocybin produces effects similar to LSD. Other street names for psilocybin include “Shrooms,” Mushies,” “Blue Meanies,” Golden Tops,” or Liberty Caps.”
• Mescaline. This hallucinogenic drug comes from the peyote cactus, a small, spineless cactus with disc-shaped “buttons” that contain mescaline. People who use this substance typically dry the buttons out, chew them, or soak them in liquid to create an intoxicating drink. Drugmakers can also make mescaline in a lab. When consumed, mescaline, which is also known as “Buttons,” “Cactus,” “Mesc,” and “Peyoto,” can cause illusions, hallucinations, and an altered perception of space and time.
• DMT (Dimethyltryptamine). This hallucinogenic chemical naturally occurs in some Amazonian plant species but can also be chemically produced in a laboratory. DMT can look like a white crystalline powder in its pure form, a yellow, orange or pink powder, a brownish and green herbal mixture, or a brownish-red liquid. The substance, also known as “Dimitri,” can be smoked, snorted, or injected into the veins. Taking DMT can make individuals see and hear things that aren’t there, feel like time is speeding up or slowing down, have double vision, and feel like they have an out-of-body experience. Some people feel like they’re going through a near-death experience and can’t move after taking DMT.
• Ayahuasca. This hallucinogenic brew consists of Amazonian plants that contain DMT. People have used ayahuasca for healing and religious purposes in indigenous South American cultures for centuries. The psychedelic beverage can cause hallucinations, vomiting, diarrhea, paranoia, and panic.
• MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). This synthetic drug, also known as “Ecstasy,” or “Molly,” acts as a hallucinogen and stimulant. In addition to distorting reality, time, and the senses, MDMA can alter individuals’ moods and produce feelings of increased energy, pleasure, and emotional warmth. Most people consume MDMA as a tablet or capsule, but people also snort the drug and swallow it as a liquid. MDMA’s adverse effects include nausea, muscle cramps, teeth clenching, blurred vision, chills, and excessive sweating.
• THC (delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is one of the active ingredients in marijuana. In addition to causing hallucinations, THC can cause anxiety, paranoia, and time distortion. Consuming THC can also cause a general feeling of being high, increased heart rate, dry mouth, slower than average response times, red eyes, and memory loss. Large doses of THC can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.

Some of the most common dissociative hallucinogens include:

• Ketamine. Even though ketamine began as an anesthetic for surgery, people now consume the drug illegally. Most of the ketamine sold on the street comes from veterinary offices. The drug, which is odorless and tasteless, is commonly used as a “date rape drug.” Ketamine can cause muscle paralysis, confusion, and disorientation. When used long-term, ketamine can cause memory loss, concentration problems, and an increased risk of mental health disorders such as major depressive disorder.
• PCP (Phencyclidine). Similar to ketamine, PCP is an anesthetic that can stop the feeling of pain. But because of the drug’s adverse effects, PCP is no longer used for that purpose. Today, PCP has become a popular street drug that’s snorted, smoked, swallowed, or injected into the veins. When consumed, PCP produces “out-of-body” sensations and hallucinations. The drug can also make individuals believe things that aren’t true, paranoid, aggressive, and violent.
• DXM (Dextromethorphan). DXM is an ingredient in many over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines. The substance can be extracted from cough syrup and made into a powder or capsule. When people take too much DXM, they can experience hallucinations, “out of body” sensations, blurred vision, dizziness, impaired judgment, slurred speech, and difficulty controlling their limbs. DXM can also cause vomiting, paranoia, confusion, belly pain, restlessness, and confusion. When used recreationally, DXM can be called “Candy,” “Robo,” “Dex,” “DM,” “Drex,” “Skittles,” “Tussin,” “Velvet,” and “Vitamin D.”
• Salvia divinorum is a fast-acting hallucinogenic herb that has become a popular recreational drug among teenagers and young adults. The substance is often sold as seeds, leaves, or liquid extract. When consumed, salvia can cause visual distortions, hallucinations, dissociation, disconnections from reality, disorientation, and dizziness. The plant, which is also called “Magic Mint,” “Sally-D,” “Seer’s Sage,” Purple Sticky,” and “Incense Special,” can also cause people to hear colors, smell sounds, and see cartoon-like imagery. Even though salvia divinorum isn’t illegal according to federal law, the Drug Enforcement Administration lists the substance as a high-risk drug of concern.