Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or denoting drugs that cause hallucinations and apparent expansion of consciousness: Refers to substances that produce profound alterations in perception, mood, and cognitive processes.
   • Having intense, vivid colors, patterns, or sounds reminiscent of the hallucinatory experiences produced by such drugs: Describes art, music, or experiences that mimic or are inspired by the sensory distortions of a psychedelic state.
   • (Of a mental state) characterized by intense and often distorted perceptions, hallucinations, and feelings ranging from euphoria to despair: Describes a psychological condition induced by drugs or other means.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • LSD and psilocybin are classic psychedelic substances.
  • The concert featured psychedelic lighting with swirling colors and patterns.
  • He described a psychedelic experience where the walls seemed to breathe.

Advanced Usage

• "Psychedelic rock": A genre of rock music that emerged in the 1960s, inspired by or attempting to replicate the experience of psychedelic drugs, often through extended solos, electronic effects, and surreal lyrics.

  • The band's early work is a prime example of psychedelic rock.

• "Psychedelic therapy": The use of psychedelic substances in a controlled, therapeutic setting to treat mental health conditions like depression, PTSD, or addiction.

  • Research into psychedelic therapy is showing promising results.

Variants and Related Words

• Psychedelia (noun): The culture, style, or artifacts (especially in art and music) associated with psychedelic experiences.

  • The festival was a celebration of 1960s psychedelia.

• Psychedelically (adverb): In a manner relating to or resembling a psychedelic experience.

  • The room was decorated psychedelically.

Synonyms

• Hallucinogenic: Causing hallucinations.
• Mind-altering: Affecting one's mental state or consciousness.
• Trippy (informal): Resembling or characteristic of the experience produced by a psychedelic drug.

Related Phrases

• "A bad trip": An unpleasant, frightening, or dysphoric experience resulting from the use of a psychedelic drug.

  • He had a bad trip on mushrooms and felt paranoid for hours.

• "Psychedelic state": The altered state of consciousness induced by a psychedelic substance.

  • Meditation can sometimes lead to a naturally occurring psychedelic state.

Related Idioms

• "Blow your mind": To overwhelm someone with wonder, astonishment, or a profound experience, often used in contexts related to psychedelic experiences or revolutionary ideas.
  • That psychedelic light show will blow your mind.

Adjective

1. (of a mental state) characterized by intense and distorted perceptions and hallucinations and feelings of euphoria or sometimes despair
   • a psychedelic experience
2. having the vivid colors and bizarre patterns associated with psychedelic states
   • a psychedelic painting
3. producing distorted sensory perceptions and feelings or altered states of awareness or sometimes states resembling psychosis
   • psychedelic drugs like psilocybin and mescaline