PsychologyAugust 9, 2026

hallucinate

huh-LOO-suh-nayt

Definition

To perceive or experience things, especially visual or auditory events, that are not actually present in reality.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'hallucinari', meaning to dream or wander in the mind, it entered English in the 17th century to describe seeing things that do not exist.

In the news

In the context of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD, the word refers to potential side effects or altered states of consciousness that patients might experience during treatment. It is a critical distinction, as MDMA is typically considered an empathogen rather than a classic hallucinogen.

80% of Soldiers in Israeli Study See PTSD Symptoms Ease With MDMA Therapy, According to Study

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The Media Line

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