AAMC FL Practice Exam

What effect do hallucinogens such as LSD primarily have on perception?

1. Enhance sensory input

2. Distort perceptions

3. Suppress sensory input

4. Reduce visual acuity

The correct answer is: Distort perceptions

Hallucinogens like LSD primarily distort perception, which means they dramatically alter an individual's sensory experiences and their interpretation of external stimuli. Users often report vivid visual and auditory hallucinations, changes in the perception of time, and an altered state of consciousness. This distortion of perception can lead to experiences that are far removed from reality, making ordinary sights and sounds appear extraordinary or fundamentally different. In contrast, enhancing sensory input refers to an increase in the clarity or intensity of sensory experiences, which is not characteristic of the effects produced by hallucinogens. Suppressing sensory input suggests a decrease in awareness or sensitivity to stimuli, which is also not aligned with the effects of these substances. Similarly, reducing visual acuity implies a diminished ability to see clearly, whereas hallucinogens like LSD often produce heightened visual experiences, albeit distorted. Thus, the primary effect of hallucinogens is best described by the ability to distort perceptions, leading to an altered subjective experience of reality.