A review of common psychedelic drugs

Psychedelic substances have a long history of use in medicine and religious rituals, with fossil evidence dating back 10,000 years. After clinical studies in the 1950s and 1960s, they became associated with hippie culture and were viewed as drugs of abuse with no medicinal value. Today, psychedelics are being investigated as adjuncts to psychotherapy for conditions such as depression and addiction. This review covers definitions, classifications, effects, and basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs, referred to collectively as psychedelics.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Psychedelic substances have traditionally been used in medicine and religious rituals. Their use dates back thousands of years with fossil evidence as old as 10 000 years. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s psychedelics were used in clinical studies. These drugs then saw widespread use in hippie culture and were viewed as a drug of abuse with no medicinal value. Currently, psychedelics are being investigated as adjuncts to existing psycho therapeutic approaches including depression and addiction. This article will look at definitions, classifications, effects and basic pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these drugs. In this review I will refer to this group of drugs as psychedelics.