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Home » Publications » Research Reports » Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs » From the Director

# Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs

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## From the Director

Hallucinogens and dissociative drugs—which have street names like acid, angel dust, and vitamin K—distort the way a user perceives time, motion, colors, sounds, and self. These drugs can disrupt a person’s ability to think and communicate rationally, or even to recognize reality, sometimes resulting in bizarre or dangerous behavior. Hallucinogens such as LSD, psilocybin, peyote, DMT, and ayahuasca cause emotions to swing wildly and real-world sensations to appear unreal, sometimes frightening. Dissociative drugs like PCP, ketamine, dextromethorphan, and *Salvia divinorum* may make a user feel out of control and disconnected from their body and environment.

In addition to their short-term effects on perception and mood, hallucinogenic drugs are associated with psychotic-like episodes that can occur long after a person has taken the drug, and dissociative drugs can cause respiratory depression, heart rate abnormalities, and a withdrawal syndrome. The good news is that use of hallucinogenic and dissociative drugs among U.S. high school students, in general, has remained relatively low in recent years. However, the introduction of new hallucinogenic and dissociative drugs is of particular concern.

NIDA research is developing a clearer picture of the dangers of hallucinogenic and dissociative drugs. We have compiled the scientific information in this report to inform readers and hopefully prevent the use of these drugs.

**Nora D. Volkow, M.D.**	Director	National Institute on Drug Abuse

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This page was last updated February 2015

## Contents

                    - From the Director
                    - What Are Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs?
                    - Common Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs
                    - How Widespread Is the Abuse of Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs?
                    - Why Do People Take Hallucinogenic or Dissociative Drugs?
                    - How Do Hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, Peyote, DMT, and Ayahuasca) Affect the Brain and Body?
                    - What Are the Effects of Common Dissociative Drugs on the Brain and Body?
                    - Where can I get further information about hallucinogens?
                    - Glossary
                    - References

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## ​Research Reports

This series of reports simplifies the science of research findings for the educated lay public, legislators, educational groups, and practitioners. The series reports on research findings of national interest.

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