Hallucinations and Substances
May 26, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003784890-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Foregrounding Narrative Vulnerability computing Action physics Neurochemical Hallucinogen Psychotherapist Euphoriant Psychopathology |
| Key points | Proposes that psychoactive substances shape hallucinations by acting on perception, prediction, and meaning-making rather than creating experiences from nothing, and that context, expectations, and cultural narratives guide their interpretation. |
Abstract
This chapter examines how psychoactive substances shape hallucinations by acting on perception, prediction and meaning-making rather than “creating” experiences from nothing. It contrasts the hallucinatory styles of classic psychedelics, stimulants and dissociative drugs, linking their neurochemical effects to characteristic changes in vision, sound, body experience and selfhood. The discussion then moves from pharmacology to context, tracing how ritual, recreational and clinical settings—together with expectations and cultural narratives—guide what hallucinations feel like and how they are interpreted, foregrounding the importance of set and setting. Emerging psychedelic-assisted treatments for depression, PTSD and addictions are reviewed alongside concerns about psychological risk, power, consent and long-term outcomes. Finally, the chapter considers substance-related hallucinations as turning points in life trajectories, showing how they can become narrative anchors of identity, vulnerability and growth rather than isolated episodes.