ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with a group of substances known as hallucinogens or hallucinogenic drugs. The term hallucinogens refers to a diverse group of drugs, natural or synthetic, that induce an alteration in perception, thought, emotion and consciousness. Some hallucinogens occur naturally, in trees, vines, seeds, fungi and leaves, and others are manufactured in laboratories. Lysergic acid diethylamide, known as LSD, is derived from an alkaloid (ergot) which is a synthetic. Other hallucinogens include psilocybin (liberty cap mushrooms), Amanita muscaria (fly agaric mushrooms), morning glory seeds and mescaline (peyote cactus), PCP (phencyclidine), ketamine, ecstasy (MDMA and related drugs, in high doses) and cannabis (in high quantities).
