Buzz
Humans appear to possess a natural, experience-driven urge to transform their reality. It’s remarkable how specific compounds can shift our perception, sometimes even reshaping how we interpret the world. Over time, we’ve discovered numerous such substances.
Psychedelics are substances primarily recognized for triggering visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as altered states of awareness. Imagine scenes from comedy movies or TV shows where a character consumes a drug, resulting in vivid colors, strange sounds, swirling faces and objects, and perhaps the sudden appearance of sitar music. Below are ten of the most intriguing psychedelic substances.
10. LSD
We begin with a well-known classic, renowned for altering perception and inducing hallucinations. Synthesized by Albert Hofmann in 1938 and rediscovered in 1943 after accidental skin absorption, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) had a profound global impact. Closely associated with the hippie movement, users often abandoned conventional lifestyles, embracing peace, self-exploration, and universal love. Soon after, the US government classified it as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.
LSD temporarily changes the way our brain interacts with dopamine and serotonin, leading to hallucinations and feelings of euphoria. The effects can persist for up to 12 hours due to the prolonged duration of this anomaly. Additionally, reduced blood flow to the default mode network can result in ego-dissolution, where the boundaries between oneself and the universe blur. Many users describe this experience as fostering a deeper connection with themselves, others, and the natural world. A study involving 20 healthy volunteers revealed that, two weeks after taking LSD, participants exhibited heightened optimism, openness, creativity, and imagination.
LSD is not addictive and quickly develops a self-regulating tolerance. The notion that LSD significantly increases the risk of psychosis is largely exaggerated. In fact, research indicates that individuals in the US who have used LSD at any point in their lives do not face a higher likelihood of developing psychosis, depression, or suicidal tendencies compared to those who have never used the drug.
9. 2C-B (Nexus)
This is an exceptionally intriguing substance that many may not be familiar with. It was first created by the renowned chemist Alexander Shulgin in 1974. Combining psychedelic, entactogenic, and aphrodisiac properties, its effects include euphoria, heightened empathy, enhanced insight, vivid colors, and increased sexual arousal. Initially marketed in low doses as an aphrodisiac, it has since been recognized as a potent enhancer of sexual experiences.
2C-B interacts with the brain's serotonin receptors, particularly blocking the 5-HT2C receptor, which is responsible for most of its psychedelic effects. The exact mechanisms behind its full range of effects remain unclear due to insufficient research. However, psychiatric studies suggest it can enhance the bond between therapists and their patients (ideally within professional boundaries). Its popularity grew in the 1980s, and it was even adopted by South African shamans as a substitute for traditional spiritual remedies.
Given its rarity and limited understanding, people typically seek out Nexus intentionally. Users report experiencing orgasmic sensations throughout their bodies, even without physical stimulation. It is not neurotoxic, and tolerance resets within six days. The primary safety concern lies in the lack of research on its long-term effects.
8. Psilocybin Mushrooms
Shrooms, as they’re commonly known, have been used by humans for over 9,000 years. These naturally occurring fungi, first created by nature itself, continue to be used for both spiritual and recreational purposes. Ethnobotanist and author Terrence McKenna proposed that psychedelic mushrooms played a pivotal role in human evolution. He argued that their mind-expanding and ego-dissolving effects helped differentiate our intellectual and conscious development from other primates. Regardless of the validity of his claims, the cultural impact of this substance is undeniable.
Psilocybin, the primary compound in most hallucinogenic mushrooms, is metabolized into psilocin, the active component. Psilocin binds to serotonin receptors in the brain, and this overstimulation leads to hallucinations. In a notable US study, 36 college-educated individuals were administered psilocybin and monitored in a lab setting. One-third described the experience as the most profound spiritual event of their lives, while another third ranked it among their top five. Two months later, 79% of participants reported enhanced well-being and life satisfaction. However, 22% experienced moments of fear and paranoia during their trip. Like many substances on this list, it is neither neurotoxic nor addictive, posing minimal risk to users and others.
Users often report feelings of euphoria, hallucinations, a deep connection to nature, ego dissolution, heightened creativity, and profound insights. While these experiences are typically enjoyable, some realizations, particularly about oneself, can be unsettling. During the intoxicated state, these fears may escalate into feelings of horror and despair.
7. Salvia Divinorum
Salvia, used for centuries by the Mazatec people in present-day Mexico, stands out as one of the most unconventional substances on this list. Notably, it remains legal in some US states, allowing individuals to use it openly, even in the presence of law enforcement. Its unique and poorly understood effects on the brain have prevented the DEA from classifying it as illegal nationwide.
The active compound in Salvia divinorum, salvinorin A, is the most powerful naturally occurring psychedelic known to humans. Unlike other psychedelics that interact with multiple neural receptors, salvia specifically targets the kappa-opioid receptor. This interaction drastically reduces dopamine levels in the brain, leading to a profound and unavoidable detachment from the self. Users describe being pulled out of reality and thrust into an alternate dimension where their ego ceases to exist. Instead of seeing geometric patterns like with LSD, individuals often report becoming the patterns themselves.
6. MDMA (Ecstasy)
MDMA, widely popular in the rave and party scene, is also one of the more potentially dangerous substances on this list. Its market is massive, with an estimated two million pills smuggled into the US daily. First synthesized in 1912, it gained prominence in the 1970s when Alexander Shulgin (known for 2C-B) introduced it to psychotherapy. Like 2C-B, it was found to help patients open up and establish stronger connections with their therapists.
Chemically known as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, MDMA doesn’t just affect serotonin receptors—it overwhelms them. The resulting euphoria is intense but comes with a cost. Post-use, serotonin levels drop significantly, leading to fatigue, irritability, and depression. It can take up to a month for serotonin production to normalize, and frequent use may cause permanent brain damage.
Unfortunately, MDMA is often adulterated with substances like caffeine and meth. While all substances on this list should be tested before use, it’s especially critical for MDMA. The infamous comedown is often exacerbated by unknowingly withdrawing from meth. At low doses, the psychedelic effects are mild, with few or no hallucinations. Users report overwhelming euphoria, heightened excitement, and a deep sense of empathy for others.
5. Marijuana
While not typically classified as a psychedelic at standard doses, marijuana can induce hallucinogenic effects when consumed in larger amounts. Humans have enjoyed its effects for thousands of years, and with recent legalization in several states, its popularity has surged significantly.
The psychoactive effects of marijuana are primarily caused by tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC. This compound amplifies thoughts, imagination, and perception, making ordinary ideas seem extraordinarily profound—like believing a toaster-microwave hybrid is a groundbreaking invention. THC also influences dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain, often resulting in euphoria, relaxation, pain relief, and heightened sensory experiences. However, it can also trigger anxiety and paranoia in some users.
4. Peyote
For millennia, Native Americans have utilized this natural cactus as a spiritual tool. Its use persisted until the mid-20th century, when fear-mongering propaganda led to its federal prohibition. In 1993, the Clinton administration enacted legislation permitting peyote consumption during religious ceremonies.
Mescaline, the active compound in peyote, differs chemically from LSD and psilocybin but produces comparable effects. Unlike other psychedelics, mescaline is biosynthetically converted into dopamine, fostering a heightened focus on the self. This leads to deep introspection and profound insights, distinguishing it from substances that primarily dissolve the ego.
3. DMT
We’ve reserved the most remarkable for last. DMT, the pinnacle of psychedelics, is naturally present in numerous plants, animals, and even humans, produced by the pineal gland. When smoked, it induces an intensely transformative psychedelic experience. First synthesized in 1931 by Richard Manske, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is elusive yet omnipresent in nature and within us.
While most psychedelics alter reality, DMT transports users to an entirely new dimension. Nearly everyone who takes it reports similar experiences: complete ego dissolution and a journey to another realm inhabited by physical beings. These entities are often startled by the user’s presence and urgently impart crucial knowledge. Many interpret these beings as ancestors, speculating that their surprise stems from the user’s premature arrival—since they are not yet deceased.
High doses of DMT can induce experiences similar to near-death experiences. This substance offers a glimpse into what some might describe as the afterlife, potentially marking one of humanity’s most profound discoveries. Of course, skeptics might argue it’s just an intense hallucination. Only time will reveal the truth.
2. Amanita Muscaria
Amanita muscaria, a fungus found in temperate and boreal regions of the Northern Hemisphere, resembles the classic image of a toxic mushroom—and it is, to some extent. While fatalities from consumption are rare, it is globally classified as poisonous. Its active compounds, muscimol and ibotenic acid, are psychoactive, with the latter also acting as a neurotoxin.
Even for those willing to endure nausea and vomiting to achieve its effects, the experience is often described as psychological torture. Unlike psilocybin mushrooms, which typically induce euphoria and openness, A. muscaria is notorious for causing unpleasant trips. Despite this, it remains legal in most parts of the world, including the US (except Louisiana).
1. DXM (Cough Medicine)
When consumed in doses far exceeding the recommended amount, this common cough suppressant can produce a state of intoxication similar to psychedelics. Known colloquially as “robo-tripping,” DXM often raises red flags due to its unconventional use. The requirement of ingesting around 20 pills to achieve a trip deters many, yet recreational use persists.
Dextromethorphan (DXM), a member of the morphinan group, exhibits sedative, dissociative, and stimulant properties. In high doses, it functions as a nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, inducing dissociation, anesthesia, and hallucinations. Unlike most hallucinogens, where higher doses intensify the experience, DXM’s effects vary dramatically with dosage. Users often describe the shifts as so profound that it feels like switching to an entirely different substance.
