Alcohol and Drug Counselor Exam Practice Questions 2026 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

GHB, or gamma-hydroxybutyrate, is not classified as a hallucinogen. Instead, it is primarily known as a central nervous system depressant and a sedative. While GHB can cause effects such as euphoria and enhanced sociability, it does not produce the perceptual distortions or altered sensory experiences typically associated with hallucinogens.

In contrast, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), mushrooms (which contain psilocybin), and mescaline are all well-known hallucinogens. They are substances that can significantly alter an individual’s perception of reality, leading to visual and auditory hallucinations, changes in mood, and alterations in thought processes. Each of these substances interacts with the brain’s neurotransmitters, particularly serotonin, thereby inducing their hallucinogenic effects.

This distinction emphasizes GHB's unique classification within the broader context of psychoactive substances, highlighting the diverse range of effects that different drugs can have on the brain and perception.