# What are Hallucinogens? Source: https://3rdmil.com/what_are_hallucinogens/ Last updated: 2026-05-12T20:05:47+00:00 What are Hallucinogens? - 3rdmil - Blog [Skip to content](https://3rdmil.com/what_are_hallucinogens/#content) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bg_big_alt.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Hallu-1536x768.jpg) ## What are Hallucinogens? Hallucinogens are a powerful group of drugs that can cause serious health consequences and potentially **death**. Despite the well-documented negative effects of the drugs, they continue to be widely used and abused across age groups, with an estimated **5.6 million people aged 12 or older** who reported using them in 2015-2018.1 Often referred to as “party drugs” or “psychedelic drugs,” hallucinogens—specifically, plant-derived versions—have been used for centuries. ## How Do Hallucinogens Work? When a person consumes hallucinogens, it changes their brain’s neural activity, causing them to experience an altered state of mind. This means their surroundings, thoughts, and feelings while on the drug are **not based on reality**, which can put them in potentially life-threatening situations. They may see people, hear sounds, and feel bodily sensations that **aren’t occurring**. While those effects usually last several hours or more, some people develop **Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD)**, which causes them to have flashbacks weeks or months later.2 ## What Drugs are Hallucinogens? Hallucinogens come in many forms, such as pills and plants, and can be either man-made or natural, most of which are illegal to consume in the United States. Common chemically-derived hallucinogens are LSD and PCP. Natural hallucinogens include psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) and salvia divinorum, often referred to as simply “salvia.” ## Signs of Hallucinogen Use: It’s important to recognize the common signs of a person who is using hallucinogens. Although the signs are drug and dose-dependent, they often include: - Dilated pupils - Anxiety - Paranoia - Mood swings - Irrational behavior ## Adverse Health Effects Depending on the type of drug and how much a person consumed, they can experience many adverse health effects³, including: - Tremors - Nausea - Vomiting - Blurred Vision - Loss of muscle coordination  - Increased heart rate and blood pressure - Seizures - Coma **Death is possible, and it’s typically due to accidental injury or suicide while on the drug because a person is unaware of their surroundings and actions. It’s an even deadlier combination when a person combines hallucinogens with other drugs, such as opioids or stimulants. If you suspect someone has combined drugs and is experiencing an overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately.** ## Learn More About Hallucinogens and Other Drugs With Our Course Ready to learn about the harmful effects on your physical and mental health when using drugs? If so, [contact us](https://3rdmil.com/#contact-container) to learn more about our [*Other Drugs*](https://3rdmil.com/other-drugs/) course. ### References: 1. “Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States” SAMHSA. 2. “Drug Fact Sheet.” DEA. 3. “Hallucinogens: LSD, Peyote, Psilocybin, and PCP” National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse. - [Drug Use](https://3rdmil.com/tag/drug_use/), [Substance Abuse](https://3rdmil.com/tag/substance-abuse/) ## Popular Topics: - [Alcohol](https://3rdmil.com/category/alcohol/) - [Drugs](https://3rdmil.com/category/drugs/) - [Cannabis and THC](https://3rdmil.com/category/cannabis-and-thc/) - [Vaping and Nicotine](https://3rdmil.com/category/vaping-and-nicotine/) - [Human Trafficking](https://3rdmil.com/category/human-trafficking/) - [Healthy Relationships](https://3rdmil.com/category/healthy-relationships/) - [Universities and Colleges](https://3rdmil.com/category/universities-and-colleges/) - [High Schools and Middle Schools](https://3rdmil.com/category/high-schools-and-middle-schools/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [see all articles tablet](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [Page 1 32](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Page-1-3.svg) ## Related Articles [![bg\_sec2](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/bg_sec2-qgm4sqdgtva4y0szr7luczafz6p3apz36ubh34q1g0.webp) ## AI and Academic Integrity: How Universities Can Prevent AI Cheating and Protect Their Reputation ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/ai-academic-integrity-higher-education/) [![Cannabis\_ A\_Detailed\_Guide-img](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Cannabis_-A_Detailed_Guide-img-scaled-1-qk224g3aw94ulf50ia25tol5l5prkigud7zuec2bbk.jpg) ## The 2018 Farm Bill Explained: What Schools, Courts, and Agencies Must Know in 2026 ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/the-2018-farm-bill-explained-what-schools-courts-and-agencies-must-know-in-2026/) [![hazing prevention photo](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/06212432/hazing-prevention-photo.jpg) ## Hazing Is a Multi-Million Dollar Problem for Universities: Here’s Why Prevention Matters ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/cost-of-hazing-universities/) [![Screenshot 2026-05-07 110053](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/07160103/Screenshot-2026-05-07-110053.png) ## Course Highlight: Hazing & Hosting ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/course-highlight-hazing-hosting/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=)