Drug cluster · 16 substances
Cannabis and psychedelics list
Cannabis acts on cannabinoid receptors; classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and mescaline act on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors; MDMA releases serotonin and other chemicals. Research into several of them as treatments is advancing quickly.
In April 2026, marijuana in state-licensed medical programs moved to Schedule III, while adult-use cannabis remained Schedule I. Psilocybin is available in state-regulated programs in Oregon and Colorado, and a psilocybin treatment for depression was under FDA review in 2026. All classic psychedelics and MDMA remain Schedule I federally.
Also profiled on DoseUses in this cluster: 2C-B, 5-MeO-DMT, Amanita muscaria, Ayahuasca, CBD, Delta-8 THC, Ibogaine, Nabilone, and Salvia divinorum.
Warning: Psychedelics combined with lithium have caused seizures. MDMA or psychedelics combined with MAOIs, including ayahuasca, can cause serotonin syndrome.
Compare the cannabis and psychedelics at a glance
| Substance | Also known as | Type | US status | Medical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2C-B | 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine | Psychedelic phenethylamine | Schedule I | None |
| 5-MeO-DMT | 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, Bufo | Short-acting psychedelic tryptamine | Schedule I | None approved (in clinical trials for depression) |
| Amanita muscaria | Fly agaric, Muscimol | Psychoactive mushroom (muscimol, ibotenic acid) | Not federally controlled | None |
| Ayahuasca | Hoasca, Yagé, Daime | Psychedelic brew (DMT with MAO inhibitors) | Schedule I | None approved |
| Cannabis | Marijuana, Weed, Pot | Cannabinoid (plant) | Schedule I | State medical programs; FDA-approved cannabinoids |
| CBD | Cannabidiol, Epidiolex | Non-intoxicating cannabinoid | Not federally controlled | Seizures in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, and tuberous sclerosis complex (Epidiolex) |
| Delta-8 THC | Delta-8, D8, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol | Semi-synthetic cannabinoid (hemp-derived) | Not federally controlled | None approved |
| DMT | Dimethyltryptamine, Dimitri, Ayahuasca | Serotonergic psychedelic (tryptamine) | Schedule I | Investigational (depression) |
| Ibogaine | Iboga, Tabernanthe iboga | Psychedelic alkaloid | Schedule I | None approved (studied for opioid use disorder) |
| LSD | Acid, Lucy, Tabs | Serotonergic psychedelic (ergoline) | Schedule I | Investigational (anxiety) |
| MDMA | Ecstasy, Molly, E | Entactogen (amphetamine derivative) | Schedule I | Investigational (PTSD) |
| Mescaline | Peyote, San Pedro, Buttons | Serotonergic psychedelic (phenethylamine) | Schedule I | None (religious use protected) |
| Nabilone | Cesamet | Synthetic cannabinoid (prescription) | Schedule II | Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting |
| Psilocybin | Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies | Serotonergic psychedelic (tryptamine) | Schedule I | Investigational (depression); state programs |
| Salvia divinorum | Salvia, Diviner's sage | Dissociative hallucinogen (kappa opioid agonist) | Not federally controlled | None |
| Synthetic cannabinoids | K2, Spice, Fake weed | Synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist | Schedule I | None |
2C-B
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, Nexus, Bees
2C-B is a synthetic psychedelic related to mescaline, first made in 1974.
Read profile5-MeO-DMT
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, Bufo, Toad
5-MeO-DMT is a very potent, short-acting psychedelic found in the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad and some plants, and also made synthetically.
Read profileAmanita muscaria
Fly agaric, Muscimol, Amanita gummies
Amanita muscaria, the red-and-white fly agaric mushroom, contains muscimol and ibotenic acid, which act on GABA and glutamate receptors, not like psilocybin.
Read profileAyahuasca
Hoasca, Yagé, Daime
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew from the Amazon, usually made from Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis leaves.
Read profileCannabis
Marijuana, Weed, Pot
Cannabis is a plant whose main psychoactive compound is THC.
Read profileCBD
Cannabidiol, Epidiolex
CBD (cannabidiol) is a non-intoxicating compound from cannabis and hemp.
Read profileDelta-8 THC
Delta-8, D8, Delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol
Delta-8 THC is an intoxicating cannabinoid usually made by chemically converting hemp-derived CBD.
Read profileDMT
Dimethyltryptamine, Dimitri, Ayahuasca
DMT (dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful, short-acting psychedelic found in many plants.
Read profileIbogaine
Iboga, Tabernanthe iboga
Ibogaine is a psychedelic from the root bark of the African iboga shrub.
Read profileLSD
Acid, Lucy, Tabs
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is a very potent psychedelic, active in millionths of a gram, with effects lasting 8 to 12 hours.
Read profileMDMA
Ecstasy, Molly, E
MDMA, sold as ecstasy or molly, is a stimulant and empathy-enhancing drug that releases large amounts of serotonin.
Read profileMescaline
Peyote, San Pedro, Buttons
Mescaline is a psychedelic found in the peyote cactus and some other cacti, such as San Pedro.
Read profileNabilone
Cesamet
Nabilone (Cesamet) is a prescription synthetic cannabinoid, similar to THC, for nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy that has not responded to standard medicines.
Read profilePsilocybin
Magic mushrooms, Shrooms, Mushies
Psilocybin is the psychedelic compound in "magic mushrooms".
Read profileSalvia divinorum
Salvia, Diviner's sage, Sally-D
Salvia divinorum is a Mexican plant whose active compound, salvinorin A, causes intense but very brief hallucinations when smoked or chewed.
Read profileSynthetic cannabinoids
K2, Spice, Fake weed
Synthetic cannabinoids, sold as K2 or Spice, are lab-made chemicals sprayed onto plant material or sold as vape liquids.
Read profile