Final answer:
Hallucinogenic drugs are substances that profoundly alter sensory and perceptual experiences, often leading to hallucinations and changes in the perception of reality.
Step-by-step explanation:
The drugs that distort the way the user processes reality are known as hallucinogenic drugs. These substances lead to profound alterations in sensory and perceptual experiences. When individuals use hallucinogens, they may experience vivid visual hallucinations, altered body sensations, and a skewed perception of the passage of time. Classic hallucinogens, such as LSD, and dissociative drugs, like PCP, fall under this category. They operate by disrupting communication between neurotransmitter systems in the brain and spinal cord, which regulate mood, sensory perception, sleep, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, and muscle control. An example of how hallucinogens affect sensory perception might be feeling as if one's body size has dramatically changed, such as feeling like a giant.