How Do Psychedelics Work?

Since the dawn of man, psychedelics (also known as hallucinogens) have been regarded with both fascination and fear. Their effects on the brain have been studied extensively, but their functions remain largely unknown.

Substances

• Chemicals with psychedelic effects can be found in nature, in plants, fungi and some animals. Modern people have synthesized new forms of hallucinogens, but the effects of drugs like LSD and ecstasy are fundamentally similar to those of natural substances like peyote and "magic" mushrooms.

Serotonin Effect

• Scientific studies of psychedelics have shown that they mimic the neurotransmitter serotonin. One of serotonin's functions is to suppress unnecessary information from being processed by the brain, but though psychedelics take over the function of the hormone, they instead allow brain cells to engage in abnormal activities.

Perceptions

• The outrageous imagery seen by hallucinogen users is the result of the abnormal brain activities allowed by the drugs. The way the user perceives the world while "tripping" varies based on the individual's brain chemistry and experiences. The methodology determining what a given person will experience remains poorly understood.