Psychedelic agents are substances—most of them naturally derived from plants—that change people’s mental states by temporarily altering their perception of reality. As a result, the substances can lastingly induce changes in thoughts and feelings.
What Is Psychedelics? (Plain Language Explanation)
Psychedelics refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Psychedelics
- Symptoms: The specific ways psychedelics shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen psychedelics
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When psychedelics occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Psychedelics
- Psychedelics is far more common than most people realize
- Psychedelics is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with psychedelics see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about psychedelics is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing psychedelics, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.