ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Hallucinogen

Okay, so you know how when you watch a movie or read a book, it can take you to another world, where things are different and maybe a little bit weird? Well, some special things that people can put in their bodies are like that, too. They're called hallucinogens.

When you take a hallucinogen, it's like your brain goes on a big adventure. It starts working in a different way than normal, and that can make you see, hear, and feel things that aren't really there. It's kind of like pressing the "magic" button in your brain!

Some of the most well-known hallucinogens are things like LSD (which is short for a big word that we don't need to worry about), magic mushrooms, and peyote. People have been using some of these things for thousands of years to help them feel more spiritual, or to have new and interesting experiences.

It's important to know, though, that while some people enjoy using hallucinogens, they can also be dangerous. They can make you feel like you're not in control of your body or your thoughts, and some people have even been hurt or killed because they made bad choices while they were on a trip. So while it can be fun to imagine new worlds, it's also really important to be safe and make good choices.