hallucinogen

n. Any drug which causes perception in the absence of the things perceived. Typically they also produce dreamlike alterations in thinking, mood, and perception. Most hallucinogens work by stimulating serotonin or catecholamine receptors. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin, and dimethyl- triptamine and diethyltriptamine (DMT, DET) primarily stimulate serotonin receptors, while mescaline, 3,4-methylenedioxyampheta- mine (MDA), dimethoxymethylamphetamine (DOM), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MMDA) work primarily via the catecholamine receptors. Hallucinogens have shown some promise in psychotherapy, but their use in the United States has been banned. Also called psychedelic drugs.