AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Hallucinogens are psychedelic (mind-manifesting) drugs that distort perceptions and evoke sensory images in the absence of sensory input.

Detailed explanation-2: -The indolealkylamine group includes the 2 mushroom-derived hallucinogens (ie, psilocybin, psilocin), DMT, and bufotenine. They all appear to cause their psychogenic effects through activity at the serotonin receptor. Psilocybin is found in the following 3 major genera of mushrooms: Psilocybin, Conocybe, and Panaeolus.

Detailed explanation-3: -The level of single neurons That hallucinogens ‘stimulate’ serotonin 2A receptors means that they mimic the action of serotonin at the receptor by binding to it, altering its conformation or ‘shape’, and ultimately altering the internal conditions and therefore behaviour of the neuron it sits on.

Detailed explanation-4: -Most hallucinogens produce sympathomimetic effects, including tachycardia, hypertension, mydriasis, hyperthermia, and diaphoresis, but these are generally mild [3].