Disorders due to Substance Use: Hallucinogens and MDMA-Related Substances

Hallucinogens are a broad category of substances encompassing drugs with diverse pharmacological, phenomenological, and adverse effects. In this chapter, the focus is on disorders caused by and exacerbated by two classes of hallucinogens. These are classic psychedelics (drugs including LSD and psilocybin that exert subjective effects principally by 5HT2A agonism) and the substituted amphetamine 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). In this chapter, the evidence regarding disorders and other adverse effects attributable to these drugs, including acute toxicity, abuse potential, persistent perceptual effects (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder), psychosis, neurotoxicity, and more, are explored.