psychedelic
1 of 2noun
psy·che·del·ic ˌsī-kə-ˈde-lik 
: a psychedelic drug (such as LSD)
psychedelic
2 of 2adjective
1
a
: of, relating to, or being drugs (such as LSD) capable of producing abnormal psychic effects (such as hallucinations) and sometimes psychotic states
b
: produced by or associated with the use of psychedelic drugs
a psychedelic experience
2
: imitating, suggestive of, or reproducing effects (such as distorted or bizarre images or sounds) resembling those produced by psychedelic drugs
psychedelic color schemes
3
: of, relating to, characteristic of, or being the period of the mid- to late-1960's that is associated with the psychedelic drug culture
psychedelic rock
the psychedelic era/movement
… the "rainbow newspaper" of San Francisco that burst onto the psychedelic scene in 1966 …
Don Lattin
Don Lattin… speaking of stereotypes, the illustrations reject any hint of a '60s psychedelic style … Steven Heller
Steven Heller psychedelically
ˌsī-kə-ˈde-li-k(ə-)lē
adverb 
Did you know?
The most famous--or notorious--of the psychedelic drugs is LSD, a compound that can be obtained from various mushrooms and other fungi but is usually created in the lab. The other well-known psychedelics are psilocybin (likewise obtained from fungi) and mescaline (obtained from peyote cactus). How psychedelics produce their effects is still fairly mysterious, partly because research ceased for almost 20 years because of their reputation, but scientists are determined to find the answers and much research is now under way. Psychedelics are now used to treat anxiety in patients with cancer, and are being tested in the treatment of such serious conditions as severe depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Aug. 2022 All three have secured the right to use a psychedelic in their worship. Nick Hilden, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2022 Visionary art began in the psychedelic ’60s and found its footing in film and music with posters and albums covers. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2022 Then there’s ketamine, a Schedule III substance that is not typically seen as a genuine psychedelic. Nikesha Elise Williams, SELF, 25 May 2022 And while it's said that the song is written from the perspective of someone struggling with depression after loss, the song has seemingly transcended the emo story line with a lasting foothold in the psychedelic. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 12 May 2022 Clinical studies on psychedelics test use of the drugs in combination with therapy, usually before and after taking the psychedelic, and with a therapist available while patients are high. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 10 Mar. 2022 One fascinating example is the Sonoran Desert toad, which is often discussed as an ancient psychedelic. Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2022 And with a year to go before the implementation deadline, the Oregon Health Authority is working to develop a system to administer the psychedelic in therapeutic settings in the state. oregonlive, 19 Jan. 2022 Kristen Bateman, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Sep. 2022 Some psychedelic practices, like the usage of ayahuasca within certain religious contexts, are already protected in the US under the principle of religious freedom, according to the resolution. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 10 Sep. 2022 His artwork and illustrations mix his own Mexican heritage with the influences of Alphonse Mucha’s Art Nouveau, ‘60s psychedelic poster art, Austrian art deco, and graphic designer Milton Glaser. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Colorado has a ballot initiative asking voters whether the state should define certain psychedelic plants and fungi as natural medicine, including mescaline. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2022 The effects of the psychedelic help to create this space. WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 Brittany Castellano opted for this formula, sporting a white bikini style with green psychedelic-print pants. refinery29.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Life Is Beautiful kicked off on Friday in the heart of Las Vegas, with thousands of festival-goers scurrying to the Sin City for the buzzy three-day show that turns Vegas’s eclectic downtown into a psychedelic desert amusement park. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2022 The film stock toggles between creamy, high-contrast black and white and saturated color; frames shimmer and melt like psychedelic taffy. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 See More
Noun
Never let it be said that the Temptations met the psychedelic '60s halfway. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 10 Aug. 2022 All three have secured the right to use a psychedelic in their worship. Nick Hilden, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2022 Visionary art began in the psychedelic ’60s and found its footing in film and music with posters and albums covers. San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 May 2022 Then there’s ketamine, a Schedule III substance that is not typically seen as a genuine psychedelic. Nikesha Elise Williams, SELF, 25 May 2022 And while it's said that the song is written from the perspective of someone struggling with depression after loss, the song has seemingly transcended the emo story line with a lasting foothold in the psychedelic. Derek Scancarelli, EW.com, 12 May 2022 Clinical studies on psychedelics test use of the drugs in combination with therapy, usually before and after taking the psychedelic, and with a therapist available while patients are high. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 10 Mar. 2022 One fascinating example is the Sonoran Desert toad, which is often discussed as an ancient psychedelic. Jahan Marcu, Rolling Stone, 7 Jan. 2022 And with a year to go before the implementation deadline, the Oregon Health Authority is working to develop a system to administer the psychedelic in therapeutic settings in the state. oregonlive, 19 Jan. 2022 Adjective
Mia Vesper is already known for her psychedelic tapestry jackets and metallic threaded pleats that combine a luxury approach to craftsmanship with a slightly bohemian twist. Kristen Bateman, Harper's BAZAAR, 11 Sep. 2022 Some psychedelic practices, like the usage of ayahuasca within certain religious contexts, are already protected in the US under the principle of religious freedom, according to the resolution. Zoe Sottile, CNN, 10 Sep. 2022 His artwork and illustrations mix his own Mexican heritage with the influences of Alphonse Mucha’s Art Nouveau, ‘60s psychedelic poster art, Austrian art deco, and graphic designer Milton Glaser. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2022 Colorado has a ballot initiative asking voters whether the state should define certain psychedelic plants and fungi as natural medicine, including mescaline. Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY, 6 Sep. 2022 The effects of the psychedelic help to create this space. WIRED, 2 Sep. 2022 Brittany Castellano opted for this formula, sporting a white bikini style with green psychedelic-print pants. refinery29.com, 1 Sep. 2022 Life Is Beautiful kicked off on Friday in the heart of Las Vegas, with thousands of festival-goers scurrying to the Sin City for the buzzy three-day show that turns Vegas’s eclectic downtown into a psychedelic desert amusement park. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2022 The film stock toggles between creamy, high-contrast black and white and saturated color; frames shimmer and melt like psychedelic taffy. Leah Greenblatt, EW.com, 16 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
irregular from psych- + Greek dēloun to show, from dēlos evident; akin to Sanskrit dīdeti it shines, Latin dies day — more at deity
First Known Use
Noun
1956, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
1957, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing psychedelic
Medical Definition
psychedelic 1 of 2
noun
psy·che·del·ic ˌsī-kə-ˈdel-ik
: a psychedelic drug (as LSD)
psychedelic
2 of 2adjective
1
: of, relating to, or being drugs (as LSD) capable of producing abnormal psychic effects (as hallucinations) and sometimes psychotic states
2
: produced by or associated with the use of psychedelic drugs
a psychedelic experience