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A '''hallucinogen''' is a pharmacological substance that when ingested causes [[hallucination]]s - profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality. Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid, intense emotional swings. Hallucinogens cause their effects by disrupting the interaction of [[nerve]] cells and the [[neurotransmitter]] [[serotonin]]. <ref>http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/halluc2.html</ref> 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.   

A '''hallucinogen''' is a pharmacological substance that when ingested causes [[hallucination]]s - profound distortions in a person's perceptions of reality. Under the influence of hallucinogens, people see images, hear sounds, and feel sensations that seem real but do not exist. Some hallucinogens also produce rapid, intense emotional swings. Hallucinogens cause their effects by disrupting the interaction of [[nerve]] cells and the [[neurotransmitter]] [[serotonin]]. <ref>http://www.drugabuse.gov/ResearchReports/hallucinogens/halluc2.html</ref> 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 [[shaman]]ic cultures as a way of communicating with the [[spirit]]s or [[god]]s, or as a means of [[divination]] and [[prophesy]].

Natural sources have long been used in [[shaman]]ic cultures as a way of communicating with the [[spirit]]s or [[god]]s, or as a means of [[divination]] and [[prophecy]].

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

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