Hallucinogen

Hallucinogen
Drug class
Chemical structure of psilocybin, the main active constituent of psilocybin-containing mushrooms and one of the most well-known hallucinogens.
Class identifiers
SynonymsPsychedelic; Entheogen; Psychotomomimetic
UseRecreational, spiritual, medical
Mechanism of actionVarious
Biological targetVarious
Chemical classVarious
Legal status
Legal status
In Wikidata

Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelics, entheogens, or historically as psychotomimetics, are a large and diverse class of psychoactive drugs that can produce altered states of consciousness characterized by major alterations in thought, mood, and perception as well as other changes. Hallucinogens are often categorized as either being psychedelics, dissociatives, or deliriants, but not all hallucinogens fall into these three classes.

Examples of hallucinogens include psychedelics or serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonists like LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT; dissociatives or NMDA receptor antagonists like ketamine, PCP, DXM, and nitrous oxide; deliriants or antimuscarinics like scopolamine and diphenhydramine; cannabinoids or cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonists like THC, nabilone, and JWH-018; κ-opioid receptor agonists like salvinorin A and pentazocine; GABAA receptor agonists like muscimol and gaboxadol; and oneirogens like ibogaine and harmaline, among others.