pseudohallucinogens

Pseudohallucinogens are a class of psychoactive substances that are often mistakenly referred to as hallucinogens. While they can alter perception and mood, they do not typically induce true hallucinations, which involve perceiving things that are not present. Instead, pseudohallucinogens primarily affect cognitive processes, such as attention, memory, and judgment. They can also cause changes in thought patterns and emotional states.

Unlike classic hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin, which profoundly distort sensory input and can lead to vivid, often visual, hallucinations, pseudohallucinogens tend to produce more subtle effects. Users might experience a sense of detachment from reality, a heightened sense of awareness, or a feeling of altered consciousness. Distortions in the perception of time or space are also common.

Examples of substances sometimes categorized as pseudohallucinogens include certain dissociative anesthetics like ketamine and phencyclidine (PCP), as well as some stimulants and even certain types of cannabis. The classification can be fluid and subject to debate within the scientific community. The key distinction lies in the absence of true, vivid sensory hallucinations as the primary effect, with a greater emphasis on alterations in cognition and self-awareness. The effects can vary significantly depending on the specific substance, dosage, and individual user.