Part 6/16:
Psychedelics are defined as substances that profoundly alter perception and the sense of self, often called "all-arounders" because of their multifaceted effects. Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, DMT (found in ayahuasca), and mescaline (from peyote) primarily act on serotonin 2A receptors, leading to an expansive view of reality and the self. Other compounds, like MDMA and ketamine, are also classified as psychedelics but differ in their mechanisms—MDMA releasing serotonin and ketamine acting on the glutamate system—yet all produce significant perceptual shifts.