Effect Categories - Multisensory Effects

Multisensory effects are defined as any subjective effect that directly alters two or more senses at a time.

It is worth noting that although hallucinatory states may affect multiple senses, they are typically not categorized as multisensory effects unless they consistently affect multiple senses every time that they occur. For example, while experiences with autonomous entities may sometimes have a tactile component to them, more often than not they are primarily a visual experience and are therefore classified as such.

This page lists the various multisensory effects that can occur under the influence of certain psychoactive compounds.


  • Anticipatory response

    An anticipatory response is the experience of a wide range of potential cognitive and physical effects that can occur immediately before the administration of a substance that the user is experienced with or addicted to.

  • Component controllability

    Component controllability is the rare experience of gaining partial or complete conscious control over the details, content, and intensity of other currently occurring subjective effects. It is a very rare experience that mostly occurs under the influence of heavy dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.

  • Dosage independent intensity

    Dosage independent intensity is the particularly rare and inconsistent experience of spontaneously amplified psychedelic effects that are extremely disproportionate to the dosage consumed. It is most commonly induced under the influence of mild dosages of psychedelic tryptamine compounds, such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, 4-AcO-DMT, and DMT.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Sensory overload

    Sensory overload within the context of psychoactive substance usage is the experience of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of sensory inputs occurring as a result of various other subjective effects. It is most commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.

  • Synaesthesia

    Synaesthesia (also spelt synesthesia or synæsthesia) is the experience of a blending, merging, or mixing of the senses. Synaesthesia is commonly induced under the influence of heavy dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline.