What’s in a name?

As an interesting note in understanding our lineage, we have to look at some of the terms that we use.  In our literature alone we use different terms such as “psychedelic” and “entheogen”.  Exactly what we call these substances has changed over time.  For some, it is a plant “medicine”, for others it emulates mystical experiences (mysticomimetic), and even others it induces profound emotional states of being (Empathogen).  The words have changed over time.  Scientists in the 1950s preferred the term “Hallucinogen”, the counter-culture movement adopted “psychedelic” and then later was discarded to separate ourselves from the “hippie era” and some adopted “Entheogen” or “seeking the divine within”.  How we view these substances is often different for different people.  For some its a clinical aid, for others spiritual and/or divinity, and for others a medicine or catalyst.

Which is right?

Perhaps none, or all of them, or they change over time for the user.  And perhaps, like the effects of substances themselves, they can never be defined in a clear way.

In honoring of the diversity of paths, approaches and backgrounds found within Psychedelics in Recovery, we provide here a comprehensive list of the terms, along with their definitions, origins, and, where possible, information on when they were first used or who coined them.  

1. Psychedelic
   • Definition: Substances that “manifest the mind,” leading to profound changes in perception, thought, and consciousness.
   • Origin: Coined by Humphrey Osmond in 1957 during correspondence with Aldous Huxley.
2. Hallucinogen
   • Definition: Substances that cause hallucinations, or distortions in perception.
   • Origin: Derived from the Latin “hallucinari” (to wander in the mind), it became widely used in the 1950s.
3. Hallucinogenic
   • Definition: Adjective form of hallucinogen, referring to substances that cause hallucinations.
   • Origin: Became commonly used in the 1950s.
4. Entheogens
   • Definition: Substances that induce spiritual or religious experiences, often used in shamanic or religious rituals. The term “entheogen” literally means “generating the divine within.”
   • Origin: Coined in 1979 by a group of ethnobotanists, including Carl A. P. Ruck, Jonathan Ott, R. Gordon Wasson, and others, as an alternative to the term “psychedelic” to describe substances like psilocybin that have been used in spiritual practices.
5. Psychotomimetic
   • Definition: Substances that produce effects resembling psychosis, such as delusions and hallucinations.
   • Origin: Coined in the 1950s, likely by Dr. Max Rinkel, to describe substances like LSD.
6. Deliriants
   • Definition: Substances that induce delirium, characterized by confusion and disorientation.
   • Origin: A well-established term used to describe certain hallucinogenic substances like belladonna or datura.
7. Phantastica
   • Definition: Substances that produce significant alterations in perception, mood, and thought, often leading to experiences of fantasy or heightened imagination.
   • Origin: Coined by Louis Lewin in his 1924 work “Phantastica,” which classified psychoactive plants.
8. Psychelytic
   • Definition: Refers to substances used in low doses to release repressed emotions or thoughts, often in psychotherapy.
   • Origin: Used in the 1950s and 1960s, especially in Europe, in the context of psychotherapy.
9. Ego-Dissolvers
   • Definition: Substances that diminish or dissolve the sense of ego or self-identity.
   • Origin: Used in discussions of the psychedelic experience, particularly in relation to experiences of ego death.
10. Mysticomimetic
    • Definition: Substances that mimic mystical or spiritual experiences.
    • Origin: Coined by Dr. Max Rinkel in the 1950s to describe the effects of psychedelics.
11. Power Plant
    • Definition: Colloquial term for plants with psychoactive properties, often used in spiritual or ritual contexts.
    • Origin: Modern terminology, not specifically coined by a single individual.
12. Oneirogens
    • Definition: Substances that induce or enhance dream states.
    • Origin: From the Greek “oneiros” (dream); term used in discussions of dream-inducing substances.
13. Visionary Agents
    • Definition: Substances that induce visionary or hallucinatory experiences, often with spiritual or creative significance.
    • Origin: Used in the context of the 1960s and 1970s to describe psychedelics.
14. Mystic Drugs
    • Definition: Substances that induce mystical or spiritual experiences.
    • Origin: A general term used in the context of entheogens or psychedelics.
15. Sacred Medicines
    • Definition: Substances used in traditional or religious contexts for healing or spiritual purposes.
    • Origin: Commonly used in indigenous cultures; modern usage aligns with entheogens.
16. Consciousness Expanders
    • Definition: Substances that broaden or enhance conscious experience.
    • Origin: Popularized during the 1960s counterculture movement, though the exact origin of the term is unclear.
17. Mysteriums
    • Definition: Hypothetical term for substances that induce mystery or mystical experiences.
    • Origin: Not a standard term; could be conceptual.
18. Psychointegrators
    • Definition: Substances that help integrate different aspects of the psyche.
    • Origin: Used in contexts discussing the therapeutic integration of psychedelic experiences.
19. Phanerothyme
    • Definition: Meaning “soul manifesting,” used to describe substances that reveal the mind or soul.
    • Origin: Coined by Aldous Huxley in the 1950s as an alternative to “psychedelic,” though it did not gain widespread usage.
20. Pseudohallucinogens
    • Definition: Substances that induce effects similar to hallucinations but where the user remains aware that the experiences are not real.
    • Origin: The term is used to differentiate from true hallucinogens. The exact origin is unclear but likely emerged in the mid-20th century.
21. Schizogens
    • Definition: Substances that might induce schizophrenia-like symptoms.
    • Origin: Not widely recognized; could be related to discussions of psychotomimetic substances.
22. Psycheplastic
    • Definition: Likely describes substances that mold or shape the psyche.
    • Origin: Not a commonly used term.
23. Psychotoxic
    • Definition: Substances that are harmful to the psyche.
    • Origin: Not a widely used term, though it aligns with toxicological discussions.
24. Psychic Catalysts
    • Definition: Substances that catalyze psychological change or transformation.
    • Origin: A term that could be used to describe the role of psychedelics in therapy.
25. Illusinogen
    • Definition: A substance that induces illusions rather than full-blown hallucinations.
    • Origin: Not a widely recognized term; its use is likely more theoretical.
26. Fantasticants
    • Definition: Substances that induce fantastical or imaginative experiences.
    • Origin: Likely a variation of Lewin’s “Phantastica,” but not widely used.
27. Psychephoric
    • Definition: Hypothetical term for substances that carry or support the psyche.
    • Origin: Not widely recognized or used.
28. Hypnogens
    • Definition: Substances that induce sleep or dream-like states.
    • Origin: Not widely used; the concept is more aligned with sedatives or hypnotics.
29. Cerebrotonics
    • Definition: Substances that potentially enhance brain function or tonicity.
    • Origin: Not widely used; related to the concept of nootropics.
30. Waking Dreams
    • Definition: A term that might describe the dream-like experiences induced by certain substances while awake.
    • Origin: Not a standard term; could be descriptive of the psychedelic experience.
31. Soul Dissolvers
    • Definition: Substances that dissolve or disintegrate the sense of soul or self.
    • Origin: A theoretical term related to ego-dissolving experiences.
32. Somagenics
    • Definition: Substances that induce physical or bodily experiences.
    • Origin: Not widely recognized or used.
33. Nootropic Hallucinogens
    • Definition: Substances that enhance cognitive function while inducing hallucinatory experiences.
    • Origin: Combines the concepts of nootropics (cognitive enhancers) and hallucinogens.
34. Psycherhexic
    • Definition: Hypothetical term that could refer to substances that excite or stimulate the psyche.
    • Origin: Not widely used.
35. Dysleptic/Psychodysleptic
    • Definition: Substances that cause unpleasant psychological experiences.
    • Origin: Not widely recognized or used.
36. Pneumatogens
    • Definition: Substances that could hypothetically induce spiritual or soul-related experiences.
    • Origin: Not widely recognized; related to the concept of pneuma (spirit or soul).
37. Mystagogues
    • Definition: Guides or substances that lead to mystical experiences.
    • Origin: Historically, a mystagogue was a person who initiated others into mysteries; in a modern context, it could refer to substances or guides.
38. Neuroempathogens
    • Definition: Substances that enhance empathy by affecting neurological pathways.
    • Origin: Not a commonly used term, but it would relate to the effects of substances like MDMA.
39. Transcendogens
    • Definition: Substances that induce transcendent experiences.
    • Origin: Hypothetical or conceptual term used to describe powerful spiritual or mystical experiences.
40. Mysteriums
    • Definition: Hypothetical term for substances that induce mystery or mystical experiences.
    • Origin: Not a standard term; could be conceptual.
41. Reality Modulators
    • Definition: Substances that alter or modulate one’s perception of reality.
    • Origin: A modern, descriptive term likely related to psychedelics.
42. Etheric Expansers
    • Definition: Hypothetical substances that expand one’s etheric or spiritual body.
    • Origin: Not a recognized term in common literature.

This list reflects the commonality of these terms in both academic literature and popular discourse, moving from the most widely recognized and used to the more obscure and theoretical.