What Are Hallucinogens Made From?

Yet, some come straight from plants and fungi growing in the wild. But other types are created entirely in a lab from chemical precursors. If you’ve ever wondered where these substances actually come from or whether “natural” makes them any safer, keep reading.

How Are Hallucinogens Made?

Hallucinogens generally fall into two categories based on how they’re produced. These include:

1. Natural hallucinogens are derived from plants, fungi, or even certain animals. Some are used in their raw form, such as dried mushrooms or peyote buttons. And some are brewed into teas, smoked, or processed into more concentrated forms.

2. Synthetic hallucinogens are made entirely in a laboratory through chemical reactions. They can be far more potent than their natural counterparts, and because there’s no quality control on the street, doses are wildly inconsistent. Many synthetic hallucinogens sold today are also cut with other substances, such as fentanyl, which significantly increases the risk of overdose.

Some hallucinogens also don’t fall neatly into one category. For instance, DMT is found in several plants but can also be produced in a lab.

Common Hallucinogens (And What They’re Made From)

Here’s a closer look at how the most common hallucinogens are made.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD is fully synthetic. It’s derived from lysergic acid, a compound originally extracted from ergot, which is a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. 

The synthesis of LSD, however, happens entirely in a lab. And the final product is so potent that doses are measured in micrograms. 

LSD is typically sold on blotter paper, sugar cubes, gel tabs, or in liquid form.

Psilocybin Mushrooms (Magic Mushrooms)

Psilocybin occurs naturally in hundreds of mushroom species, most commonly Psilocybe cubensis. The active compounds, psilocybin and psilocin, develop as the mushroom grows, with no lab processing required. 

People typically eat them dried, brew them into tea, or mix them into food to mask the bitter taste.

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)

DMT is unusual because it exists both in nature and in the human body in trace amounts. It’s found in several plants, such as Mimosa hostilis and Psychotria viridis, and can also be synthesized in a lab. 

In its synthetic form, DMT is typically smoked or vaporized for short, intense experiences. It’s also the active ingredient in ayahuasca (more on this below).

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a brewed tea made by combining the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with DMT-containing plants such as chacruna. The vine contains compounds that allow the DMT to be absorbed orally. Without them, your stomach enzymes would break it down. 

Traditionally prepared by Amazonian shamans, ayahuasca has spread far beyond South America in recent years and is now used in ceremonies around the world (legally and illegally).

Peyote and Mescaline

Mescaline is the active hallucinogenic compound found in peyote, a small spineless cactus native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It’s also present in other cacti, such as San Pedro and Peruvian Torch. 

The cactus is typically sliced into buttons, then dried, chewed, or brewed into a tea. Peyote use also has deep roots in Indigenous religious practice in North America.

PCP and Ketamine (Dissociatives)

PCP and ketamine are both fully synthetic. 

PCP was first developed in the 1950s as a human anesthetic but was pulled from human use in the mid-1960s due to severe side effects, including hallucinations and dysphoria. However, it continued to be used in veterinary medicine afterward. 

Ketamine was developed in 1962 as a safer replacement and is still used clinically today, including, under strict supervision, in treatment-resistant depression therapy. 

On the street, both substances are sold as powders, pills, or liquids and produce dissociative effects that make users feel disconnected from their body and surroundings. 

Salvia Divinorum

Salvia is a plant in the mint family, native to the cloud forests of Mexico. Its active compound, salvinorin A, is one of the most potent naturally occurring hallucinogens known. The leaves are typically chewed, smoked, or vaporized, producing short but extremely intense effects.

Compassionate Treatment With Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC)

Just because a substance grows in the ground doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many plant-based hallucinogens can cause severe vomiting, dangerous spikes in blood pressure, panic attacks, and lasting psychological effects. Synthetic hallucinogens are often even less predictable, especially when laced with other substances, such as fentanyl.

Hallucinogens may also worsen underlying mental health conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. In some people, they trigger drug-induced psychosis or a condition called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), where visual disturbances continue long after the substance has worn off.

While hallucinogens aren’t considered physically addictive in the same way as opioids or alcohol, they can still lead to compulsive use, psychological dependence, and serious harm to your relationships, work, and well-being.

If hallucinogens or any other substance is starting to impact your life negatively, our team at Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC) is here to help. Reaching out is the hardest part, but we strive to make it a little easier. Call us today at 804-635-3746 to talk with someone who understands. Our phone lines are open 24/7.