Effect Categories - Hallucinatory States

Hallucinatory states are defined as any subjective effect that changes the perception or appearance of pre-existing sensory data by adding entirely new content in a manner similar to that of dreams.

This page lists the various hallucinatory states that can occur under the influence of certain psychoactive compounds.


  • Auditory hallucination

    An auditory hallucination is the experience of hearing spontaneous and imaginary noises. They are most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, deliriants, and dissociatives.

  • Autonomous entity

    An autonomous entity is the experience of perceived contact with beings that appear to be sentient in their behaviour. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds.

  • External hallucination

    An external hallucination is the perception of a visual hallucination that displays itself seamlessly into the external environment as if it were physically present. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of deliriant compounds.

  • Gustatory hallucination

    A gustatory hallucination is any hallucination that involves one's sense of taste. A common example of this is a strong, unpleasant metallic taste in one's mouth. They are most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants.

  • Internal hallucination

    An internal hallucination is the perception of a visual hallucination that exclusively occurs within an imagined environment that can typically only be viewed with closed eyes, similar to those found within dreams. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants.

  • Machinescapes

    Machinescapes are a complex visual and tactile experience where one perceives hallucinatory mechanical landscapes that are vast in both size and intricacy. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of salvia divinorum. However, they can also occur less commonly under the influence of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and 2C-P.

  • Magnification

    Magnification is the experience of distant details within one's visual field appearing magnified and closer than they actually are due to both visual enhancements and hallucinatory effects. It is a rare effect that is most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.

  • Memory replays

    Memory replays are a multisensory subtype of internal hallucinations that result in a person reliving memories through the experience of vivid daydreams, reoccurring emotions or sensations, and hallucinations. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants.

  • Object activation

    Object activation is the experience of looking at an object and perceiving it to move, become alive, or become fully animated and autonomous of its own accord. It is most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of deliriant compounds, such as DPH, datura, and benzydamine.

  • Olfactory hallucination

    An olfactory hallucination (also known as phantosmia) is the detection or perception of a convincing imaginary smell that is not actually present in the person's environment. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as deliriants and psychedelics.

  • Perspective hallucination

    A perspective hallucination is an alteration of the perspective through which a given internal or external hallucination is seen through. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants.

  • Scenarios and plots

    Scenarios and plots are the situations, stories, and events that occur within both external and internal hallucinations. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants.

  • Settings, sceneries, and landscapes

    Settings, sceneries, and landscapes are the perceived environments in which the plot of an internal or external hallucination occurs. This effect is capable of manifesting in a seemingly infinite variety of potential places and settings. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of hallucinogenic compounds, such as psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants.

  • Shadow people

    Shadow people are the experience of perceiving patches of shadow in one's peripheral or direct line of sight to appear and behave as living, autonomous beings. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of deliriant compounds, such as DPH, datura, and benzydamine.

  • Tactile hallucination

    A tactile hallucination is the experience of perceiving a convincing physical sensation that is not actually occurring. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of deliriant compounds, such as DPH, datura, and benzydamine.

  • Transformations

    Transformations are the experience of a perceived visual metamorphosis that specific parts of one's external environment undergo as they shapeshift into other objects. They are most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.

  • Unspeakable horrors

    Unspeakable horrors describe the experience of prolonged exposure to indescribable scenarios and hallucinatory content of a scary and disturbing nature, which are often directly influenced by a person's fears. They are most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and 2C-P.

  • Visual disconnection

    Visual disconnection is the experience of becoming distanced and/or detached from one's sense of vision. It is a near-universal effect under the influence of moderate dosages of dissociative compounds, such as ketamine, PCP, and DXM.