Hallucinogen

A hallucinogen is a pharmacological substance that when ingested causes the mind to to circumvent reality. Distortions may range from enhancement of the senses so that colors or sounds appear amplified or distorted, the feeling of flying and the and the absence of pain. Hallucinogenic substances may be synthetically manufactured in a laboratory like LSD or derive from natural plant (e.g peyote, cannabis), fungi (e.g magic mushrooms) or animal (Colorado River toad)sources.

Natural sources have long been used in shamanic cultures as a way of communicating with the spirits or gods, or as a means of divination and prophesy.

Only a few hallucinogens actually produce hallucinations where things that are not real, appear to be realistic.