Hallucinogens

acid
blotter
cid
cubes
liberty caps
liberties
lsd
magic mushrooms
mushrooms
microdot
sacred mushrooms
shrooms
tabs
trips
zen

Are hallucinogens a problem for you?

What are hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens are a group of drugs that work on the brain to affect the senses and cause hallucinations – seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting or touching things that do not exist. Hallucinogens are sometimes called psychedelic drugs, trips, magic mushrooms, LSD or acid.

New psychoactive or synthetic substances can also have a hallucinogenic effect, such as NBOMe, see Synthetic Drugs Effects and FAQs for further detail.

Download the hallucinogens fact sheet.

Learn more

Lysergic acid diethylamide

(C20G25N3O)

Some hallucinogens occur naturally in trees, vines, seeds, fungi (eg psilocybin or magic mushrooms) and leaves. Others are made in laboratories by mixing different chemical substances (trips, LSD, acid). Some drugs, such as cannabis and ecstasy, can cause hallucinogen-like effects when used in high doses or in certain ways. Using hallucinogens is often called tripping.

Physical effects can include

muscles twitching
feeling numb
feeling sick or vomiting
poor coordination

Effects depend on...

What hallucinogens do to you depends on how much you take, your height and weight, your general health, your mood, your past experiences with hallucinogens, whether you use hallucinogens on their own or with other drugs, whether you use alone or with others, at home or at a party, etc.

feeling weak
pupils get bigger
shaking
heart beats faster

See full list

How hallucinogens affects your body

Tap a body part to learn more of the effects hallucinogens places on your body.

Psychological effects can include

seeing, hearing, touching or smelling things in a distorted way, or that don't exist
mixing of the senses (eg you hear colours or see sounds)
changed and intense thoughts

intense sensory experiences
space becomes distorted
emotional swings

See full list

General information

Effects of hallucinogens

The main effects of hallucinogens are changes in the way you perceive things with your senses. They can include strange sensations such as floating or your body becoming part of another object. Some people find such unusual sensations interesting and pleasant, while to others these same effects are unpleasant and disturbing.

Immediate effects
The effects of hallucinogens begin within half an hour of taking the drug, are strongest in three to five hours, and last for up to 12 hours.

Psychological Effects may include:

seeing, hearing, touching or smelling things in a distorted way, or that don’t exist (you usually know that what you are sensing is not real)
intense sensory experiences (eg colours become very bright, sounds become sharper)mixing of the senses (eg you hear colours or see sounds)
changed sense of time (eg minutes can seem as slow as hours, or you can re-live something that happened a long time ago)
space becomes distorted
strange bodily sensations (eg as though you are floating or being pulled down by gravity, or that you are becoming part of another object)
changed and intense thoughts
emotional swings (eg change from intense happiness to deep sadness).

Physical Effects may include:

muscles twitching
feeling weak
increased body temperature, sweating or chills
feeling numb
pupils get bigger
Shaking
feeling sick or vomiting
heart beats faster
blood pressure rising
breathing faster and deeper than normal
poor coordination.

Bad trips
Sometimes the effects of hallucinogens are mostly negative. This is called a bad trip and it is common among first time users. Effects of a bad trip can include:

extreme anxiety or fear
frightening hallucinations (eg spiders crawling on the skin)
panic, leading to taking risks (eg running across a busy street)
feelings of losing control or going mad
paranoia (feeling that other people want to harm you)
suicide or violence (rare).

If someone you know is having a bad trip, they need to be reassured and comforted until the effects of the drug wear off. This can take many hours and may not disappear altogether for some days.

Risky behaviour
People can do dangerous things while affected by trips (eg. walk in front of a car, jump off a balcony).

What are long term effects?

There are few known long term effects from hallucinogens. However, flashbacks – times when you feel the effects of the drug again – can happen days, weeks or even years after taking the drug. Flashbacks can include visual hallucinations and other effects. They can happen without warning, last for a minute or two and can be disturbing.

Flashbacks may be triggered by using other drugs or by stress, tiredness or physical exercise. Regular users are more likely to experience flashbacks than people who only use the drug from time to time.

Some other long term effects of hallucinogens may be damaged memory and concentration. Using hallucinogens may increase the risk of mental health issues in some people, such as depression, psychosis, personality disruption and post hallucinogen perception disorder.

Mixing with other drugs

The effects of mixing hallucinogens with other drugs, including alcohol, prescription medicines and over the counter medicines are often unpredictable and dangerous.

Mixing hallucinogens with stimulant drugs (such as cocaine or amphetamines) increases the stimulant effects and can further increase the heart rate, place the body under extreme stress and can lead to stroke.

Combining hallucinogens with depressant drugs such as alcohol may further reduce coordination and increase the chances of vomiting.

What should I do in an emergency?

If you can’t wake someone up or you are concerned that they may have sustained a head injury from a drug related fall – call an ambulance immediately – dial Triple Zero (000).

If the person has been mixing hallucinogens with other drugs, tell the NSW Ambulance paramedic exactly what they have taken. Paramedics are there to help. Generally paramedics don’t involve the police unless there is danger to themselves or other people/children, someone dies, or a crime (such as violence or theft) has been committed.

Tolerance & dependence

Anyone can develop a tolerance to hallucinogens. Tolerance means that you must take more of the drug to feel the same effects you used to have with smaller amounts. With hallucinogens this happens very quickly. Being tolerant to one kind of hallucinogen (eg LSD) can also make you tolerant to other kinds (eg magic mushrooms).
Tolerance goes away when you stop using the drug regularly.

Dependence means that a drug takes up a lot of your thoughts, emotions and activities. Regular users may experience a need or craving if they stop taking the drug.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

There is some evidence linking the use of hallucinogens in pregnancy to an increased risk of miscarriage and birth complications. There may also be a higher incidence of birth defects among babies born to women using hallucinogens. Inform antenatal staff of hallucinogen use and attend regular antenatal checkups.

If a mother uses hallucinogens while breastfeeding, it is possible that the drug will be present in her milk and have adverse effects on the baby.

It is generally risky to take any drug while breastfeeding without medical advice.

Are hallucinogens legal?

Using hallucinogens is illegal. If you use, sell or give hallucinogens to someone else and get caught, you could face substantial fines and penalties including a prison sentence.

Driving under the influence

Hallucinogens change the way you see, hear, touch and experience other sensations, making it very dangerous to drive. It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs, including hallucinogens. Penalties include losing your licence, a fine and/or jail.

Anyone under the influence of hallucinogens who kills or injures another person while driving can be sentenced to a term in prison.

Self help associations

Narcotics Anonymous Australia, a non profit organisation aiming to support people to abstain from drugs.

Information & advice

For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drugs 24 hours, 7 days a week, call the National Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline 1800 250 015.

It will automatically direct you to the Alcohol and Drug Service in the state or territory you are calling from.

Other support services

nuaa.org.au NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA) is a peak drug user organisation in NSW providing harm reduction information and blood borne virus prevention peer education.
Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol Service (NYDAS) works within a holistic model of care to address a range of issues for young people (12 -20 years) of age related to their alcohol and other drug use. Call (02) 4734 2129 or (02) 4734 1333.
Poisons Information Centre is a 24/7 call centre service to NSW and after hours call centre across Australia. Call 13 11 26
ahmrc.org.au for Aboriginal community controlled health services across NSW. Go to Members/ Members regional map/ Member services or Member websites.
alcohol.gov.au provides information about related health issues and Australian government policy.
druginfo.adf.org.au for facts and resources on alcohol and other drugs and the prevention of related harm.
druginfo.sl.nsw.gov.au State Library of New South Wales provides up to date information for public libraries in NSW.
headspace.org.au for mental health and wellbeing support, information and services for young people (12-25 years) and their family and friends.
kidshelp.com.au is a free, 24 hour counselling service for young people aged 5-25 years. Counselling is offered by web, email or call 1800 55 1800.
au.reachout.com ReachOut is an Australian online youth mental health service with a mobile-friendly site and forums where you can access help, information and support.
shil.nsw.gov.au for free and confidential sexual health support and information.
smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au Smart Recovery is a voluntary self-help group that assists people in recovering from alcohol, drug use and other addictive behaviours.
Visit tafensw.edu.au for help with education, career development or personal matters. Students can contact a local TAFE / university counsellor. Follow the links to student services, careers and counselling.
youthaction.org.au Youth Action is the peak organisation for young people in NSW. Use the search option to access a directory of NSW youth services.
youthsolutions.com.au for services for young people 12 – 25 years of age and the community including prevention and health promotion, drug and alcohol education, community programs and referral. You can also call (02) 4628 2319. [provides services to young people in Macarthur & Wingecarribee].

Resources for families

When someone uses or misuses substances, it can affect everyone around them. This site offers a variety of resources for friends and families concerned about their loved ones. Support services are available specifically to help people supporting others with substance use or misuse. There are also tips for talking with kids about alcohol and other drugs (part 1 and part 2). ACON provides support specifically for LGBTQ+ families through Pivot Point.

Informational resources are available in 27 languages. This includes videos providing information about where and how to get help for yourself or someone you care about.

General resources include:
Information and support for family and carers

Managing aggression, alcohol and drug use in the home: A guide for those concerned about children 5-12 years

Coping with aggression, alcohol and drug use in the home - A guide for teenagers

A parents' guide to drug slang

Are hallucinogens a problem for you?

See full support list

The Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) is a free and confidential counselling helpline for NSW residents with concerns around alcohol and/or drug misuse and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. ADIS is staffed by professional counsellors who provide education, information, counselling, support and referrals to other appropriate services in NSW.
Are you worried you could be drinking too much or consuming drugs in a way that has become a problem? Are you worried about your friends or family finding out and want to get help quickly and quietly? Are you worried about the drug use of someone close to you – maybe a family member or friend? Maybe you just want to know where someone can get help?
ADIS clinicians understand the difficulties of speaking out, seeking help and finding appropriate drug and alcohol treatment, and use their knowledge and experience to assist you and answer questions, such as:
- How can I cut-down or stop my alcohol or drug use?
- What help can I get?
- Do I have to wait long to get help?
- Can anyone ring ADIS?
- Who do I talk to when I ring ADIS?
- Will drug and alcohol treatments be difficult?
- What is this drug doing to me?
- What are the short and long term problems that could develop if I continue using?
- Will ADIS tell anyone that I rang?
- What can I expect when I ring?
- Does ADIS record calls?
You can call ADIS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 1800 250 015 or for Sydney Metropolitan 02 8382 1000 or alternatively you can start a Web Chat.
ADIS Web Chat is available from Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm (including public holidays).
ADIS also has a range of telephone lines offering specialised drug and alcohol information and support to particular groups.
24 hour support line
1800 250 015
More about Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) NSW
The Alcohol & Drug Information Service (ADIS) Web Chat is a live online conversation with a professional counsellor. The service is free, confidential and open to anyone affected by alcohol and other drugs, including people concerned about their own use, or about a family member or friend. Web chat is only available for people living in NSW.
The service is provided by ADIS at St Vincent's Hospital, in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health.
What to expect
- A counsellor will chat with you about your alcohol or other drug concerns
- A counsellor can provide a referral or contact information for relevant alcohol and drug services in NSW
- Our chat is confidential unless you disclose any intention to harm yourself or others.
- WebChat is provided in English however if you prefer to speak in a language other than English we would be happy to arrange a telephone call with you through the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National). Please call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015 to arrange this.
Emergency Assistance
Call Emergency Services on 000 if you:
- require urgent medical attention or
- are in immediate danger or
- are at risk of harming yourself or someone else.
Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm (including public holidays)
#;Web Chat
More about ADIS Web Chat
Your Service Hub is an online directory of alcohol and other drugs support, health and welfare services. If you need support for your own or someone else's substance use, you should use terms in Find Services like:
- drug and alcohol family support
- drug and alcohol Aboriginal services
- drug counselling
- drug and alcohol rehabilitation
- drug and alcohol residential treatment
Use your suburb name to narrow the search to services near you.
Not sure what service you need? Call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 250 015.
#;Your Service Hub
More about Your Service Hub
PeerLine is confidential service run by the NSW Users and AIDS Association (NUAA). NUAA works to improve the health, welfare and dignity of people who use drugs.
PeerLine is a free, confidential peer supported telephone service for people who use drugs, who are on the Opioid Treatment Program or seeking treatment. Trained peers will help you with information, advice and advocacy

PeerLine is available from 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Call for free on 1800 644 413 or email peerline@nuaa.org.au to connect.
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
1800 644 413
More about NUAA PeerLine