What are hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens are a type of drug that changes a person’s awareness of their surroundings. Also known as psychedelics, they alter a person’s thoughts and feelings, as well. Some hallucinogens are human-made (synthetic), and some come from naturally occurring compounds found in certain plants and fungi (plural of fungus).

Hallucinogenic drugs can cause hallucinations, which are sensations and images that seem real but aren’t. People may hear, feel or see things that aren’t really there. Some psychedelic drugs cause people to feel out of control or disconnected from their bodies and environment.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is an anesthetic that healthcare providers use for surgery on humans and animals. Much of the ketamine people use is stolen from veterinary offices. People usually snort it as a powder or swallow it as a pill, but they can also inject it as a liquid.

The effects of ketamine include an out-of-body feeling. For some people, this may be a pleasant sensation but for others, it can be terrifying.

What is DMT?

DMT stands for dimethyltryptamine. Some plants in the Amazon contain this naturally grown chemical. Ayahuasca is a type of tea made from these plants. As a tea, DMT is known as hoasca, aya or yagé.

DMT can also be human-made (synthetic). People make it in a lab. In this form, it’s usually a white powder that you smoke.