What are Hallucinogens?
Hallucinogens (also known as psychedelics) are a group of drugs that change the way people see and feel reality, causing things like hallucinations. Hallucinations are experiences where people hear or see things that aren’t really there, or where perception is altered. For example, colours may be brighter and shapes may appear to be changing or moving. Users may also experience unusual or weird thoughts and feelings.
Hallucinogens can occur naturally or be synthetic. The most commonly known synthetic hallucinogen is LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), also known as acid, trips or tabs. Naturally occurring hallucinogens include magic mushrooms, DMT (Dimethyltryptamine), mescaline (found in peyote), or salvia.
Personal Stories"Me and a few mates decided to take a few tabs of acid. Fifty minutes later I collapsed and thought I saw shadows coming towards me. I was screaming and crying for help, but my friends were also high and unable to help.”
-Alice, 16
How many young people have tried Hallucinogens?According to the 2022-2023 Australian secondary schools' survey, 1 in 100 students (1%) aged 12-17 used hallucinogens in the past month.
What are the effects of Hallucinogens?The effects of hallucinogens are extremely unpredictable and changing, even if the person has used the same drug before. Factors that influence the drugs’ effects include the person using (e.g. mood, personality), where the drug is taken, and the type of drug. Compared to some other drugs, hallucinogens appear to be less likely to cause dependence. However, there are reports of dependence and difficulties stopping use among a small number of people who use them regularly.
The effects of hallucinogens can be immediate or long-term, as listed in the table below.
| Immediate |
Long-term |
| Increased heart rate and body temperature |
Flashbacks (spontaneous recurrences of a specific experience). Sometimes these can last for days, weeks or sometimes even years after taking the drug |
| Enlarged pupils |
Dependence (see glossary) |
| A trance-like state |
Depression |
| Feeling of euphoria (a ‘high’) |
Anxiety and panic attacks |
| Restlessness |
Memory loss |
| Nausea and vomiting |
Personality changes |
| Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there) |
Psychosis (see glossary) |
| Stomach cramps |
|
| Disorientation (increasing the risk of injury) |
|
| Tiredness, dizziness and amnesia |
|
| Anxiety, panic attacks, fear or terror (a ‘bad trip’) |
|
| Loss of consciousness |
|
| Paranoia (feeling extremely suspicious) and psychosis, lasting up to several hours after the drug effects have worn off |
|
| Poisoning, particularly with magic mushrooms if the wrong type is used. This can be fatal |
|
* Compared to some other drugs, hallucinogens appear to be less likely to cause dependence.
However, there are reports of dependence and difficulties stopping use among a small number of people who use them regularly.
Evidence BaseThis factsheet was developed following expert review by researchers at the Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use at the University of Sydney, the National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre at the University of New South Wales, and the National Drug Research Institute at Curtin University.
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