What are psychedelic and dissociative drugs?
Psychedelic and dissociative drugs can temporarily alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and perceptions of reality.1 Among other health effects and safety concerns, people who use psychedelic and dissociative drugs report feeling strong emotions, ranging from intense happiness and a feeling of connectedness to fear, anxiety, and confusion.2,3 People who use these drugs also report experiencing intense or distorted visions or sensations.1
Many psychedelic drugs derive from plants and fungi, and some have been used for thousands of years in traditional or religious rituals. Some psychedelic and
dissociative drugs are also synthetic (lab-made).2 People report using psychedelic and dissociative drugs for a variety of reasons, including seeking new, fun, healing, or spiritual experiences,
NIDA conducts and supports research on psychedelic and dissociative drugs to help inform policies and health decisions around their use. Researchers are also studying whether some of these substances may be effective treatments for mental health disorders, including addiction, when administered in a clinical setting.
While researchers debate how to describe and classify psychedelic and dissociative drugs and other drugs with similar properties, they generally group these drugs according to how they work in the brain.3 Some people use the term “hallucinogens” to refer to all or some psychedelic and dissociative drugs.