Hallucinogen & Dissociative Drug Use: Effects & Treatment

Hallucinogens and dissociative drugs are commonly abused drugs, often used in raves and other party scenes.1,2 While commonly abused, these substances have a number of risks and effects on mental and physical health. Learn more about the impact of hallucinogens and dissociatives below or contact our Kansas City addiction treatment center to get admitted to rehab today.

What Are Hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelics, are a class of drugs that temporarily alter your mood, perceptions, and thoughts.1 While hallucinogens are mainly found in fungi and plants, some types are created synthetically.3 Many of these substances distort reality, temporarily altering senses, such as taste, sight, sound, and touch.3

Among the oldest known groups of drugs, some psychedelics have been used for centuries in religious and traditional rituals.1 Today, hallucinogens are often used among young people and in party scenes, like raves.2, 3

Psychedelics are classified as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This means they’re considered federally illegal. The CSA also classifies hallucinogens as having a high potential for misuse and are not accepted for medical use in the United States. Furthermore, they are also not proven safe, even when used under medical supervision.3

Common Hallucinogens

There are several types of hallucinogens, some natural and others synthetic.1 These substances vary widely in their effects and risks, but all can significantly change a person’s perception and awareness.1 Here is a list of common hallucinogenic drugs:

• Psilocybin: A chemical found in certain types of mushrooms that can cause intense emotions, distorted sounds and sights, and loss of sense of time and space.1
• LSD: A man-made drug, also known as acid, that produces similar effects to psilocybin.1
• DMT: A strong psychedelic found in many animals and plants. It’s known to produce rapid, brief, and intense visual hallucinations.1,4
• Mescaline: A hallucinogen found in a small, spineless cactus called peyote. It can be extracted or created synthetically.1

What Are Dissociative Drugs?

Dissociative drugs are a class of substances that mainly affect how the brain processes glutamate, an amino acid that plays a critical role in memory, learning, and other functions.1,5 These drugs can make you feel disconnected from your body and your surroundings.1 Like hallucinogens, the effects of dissociatives can also be mind-altering.1

The CSA classifies dissociatives differently, depending on the specific drug. For example, ketamine is considered a Schedule III non-narcotic substance, while PCP is a Schedule II substance.6,7 Other dissociatives, like salvia, aren’t controlled by the CSA.8

Schedule II drugs are defined as dangerous substances with a high potential for abuse and potential for physical or psychological dependence. The CSA considers Schedule III substances as having a moderate to low risk for physical and mental dependence.6

Common Dissociative Drugs

Dissociative drugs can make people feel separated from their body or the world around them. Although their effects and risks vary, they all share the characteristic impact on perception and awareness. The following are common dissociatives:

• Ketamine: A man-made drug often used in prescription medications for anesthesia. It can be found in powder and liquid form.1
• PCP: A synthetic drug that often comes in powder form. Originally used as an injectable anesthetic in the 50s, today it’s abused for its mind-altering effects.7
• Salvia: A perennial herb in the mint family that is smoked, chewed, or vaped for its hallucinogenic effects.8
• DXM: A cough-suppressing ingredient in various over-the-counter cough medicines. It’s often taken in much higher doses than recommended to produce perceptual changes.9

Effects of Hallucinogens and Dissociatives

The effects of hallucinogens and dissociatives can vary widely depending on the specific drug, the individual, the dosage, and many other factors.1 Many of these substances can produce similar short-term effects, with some unique to their particular class.1

Hallucinogens can cause these common side effects1:

• Vivid visions or sensations
• Feelings of connectedness or insightfulness
• An altered sense of self
• Intense happiness
• Reliving memories
• Fear, confusion, or anxiety

Dissociatives can cause these common side effects1:

• Distorted vision and hearing
• Feeling disconnected from self, body, and the environment
• Extreme emotions such as panic, fear, or confusion

Other Risks of Hallucinogens and Dissociatives

Using dissociatives or hallucinogens can come with certain health risks, dangers, and long-term effects. For example, one of the risks of hallucinogens is developing Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD). This rare disorder involves seeing the same images or feeling the same mood changes you had before while on a psychedelic or dissociative drug.1

Most experience HPPD mildly and briefly within a week after taking a substance. In rare cases, “flashbacks” can occur years after a psychedelic experience and cause distress or other problems. Ketamine has also been associated with uropathy. This is a potentially serious condition with similar symptoms to those of a urinary tract infection.1

Here are some other potential dangers and risks of dissociative drugs and hallucinogens:

Here are the short-term physical side effects of hallucinogens and dissociative drugs1:

• Headache
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Trembling
• Diarrhea
• Rapid heartbeat

Here are the dangers of hallucinogens and dissociatives1:

• Adverse reactions due to intense fear, anxiety, or confusion
• Injuries and dangerous behaviors due to impaired perception and cognition
• Potential for consumption of dangerous adulterants (i.e., fentanyl)
• Drug interactions

Can You Overdose on Hallucinogens or Dissociatives?

Statistics show that overdoses on hallucinogens or dissociatives are very rare.1 Still, overdose is a possibility with some dissociatives, such as ketamine and PCP.1 These drugs have been associated with a small number of serious adverse health outcomes and deaths.1

Most overdoses involving dissociatives or hallucinogens are generally related to taking very high doses of drugs. Combining drugs or consuming unknown contaminants, such as fentanyl, can also heighten the chances of experiencing an overdose.1

Some common symptoms of dissociative drug overdose include:

• Seizures10
• Abnormal blood pressure and heart rate11
• Shallow or stopped breathing11

Are Hallucinogens and Dissociatives Addictive?

While most hallucinogens and dissociatives are scheduled as having a risk of psychological dependence and misuse, limited research shows that many of these drugs aren’t typically addictive. Some researchers believe this could be partly due to the unpleasant feelings some experience while using these substances, which deters them from repeated use.1

Physical dependence is also unlikely for these drugs. Still, some studies suggest that people may quickly develop a tolerance to hallucinogens. With repeated use of these substances, you’d have to take more to reach your desired effects.1

How Is Hallucinogen and Dissociative Abuse Treated?

Hallucinogen or dissociative abuse is often treated in addiction treatment programs with guidance and support from trained professionals. Most inpatient and outpatient treatment programs incorporate evidence-based approaches, such as group and individual therapy, treatment for co-occurring disorders, and peer support. These interventions can help you gain essential coping skills and develop healthy connections for lasting recovery.

Empowered Recovery Center provides comprehensive outpatient programs to overcome hallucinogen or dissociative drug abuse. You can receive a personalized addiction treatment plan in our partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), or standard outpatient care.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment in Kansas City

Starting your recovery journey can offer a pathway to enhanced wellness. At Empowered Recovery Center in Kansas City, you can find the best approach for your unique needs. We provide different rehab programs at varying intensities to meet you where you are in your journey.

Our admissions team is here to answer any questions you may have about going to rehab. We can help you explore options for paying for addiction treatment, including using insurance to pay for rehab. Contact Empowered Recovery Center to verify your insurance online and start your journey to a happier, healthier life.

References

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2023). Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, fromhttps://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/psychedelic-dissociative-drugs#experience-withdrawal
2. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH). (n.d.). Hallucinogens. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, fromhttps://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/hallucinogens
3. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Drug Fact Sheet: Hallucinogens. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, fromhttps://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Hallucinogens-2020.pdf
4. Alcohol and Drug Foundation. (2025). DMT. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, from https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/dmt/
5. Mental Health America. (n.d.). What is Glutamate?. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, fromhttps://mhanational.org/resources/what-is-glutamate/
6. Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug Scheduling. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, fromhttps://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
7. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2025). Phencyclidine. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, from https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/pcp.pdf
8. Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020). Drug Fact Sheet: Salvia Divinorum. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Salvia%20Divinorum-2020_0.pdf
9. NYC Health. (n.d). Dissociative Drugs. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, from https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/dissociative-drugs.page
10. Journey, J., Bentley, T. (2022). Phencyclidine Toxicity. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, from https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/health-topics/dissociative-drugs.page
11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022). Medication guide: Ketalar. Retrieved on December 3, 2025, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/016812s051lbl.pdf