Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perception, mood, and cognition. Common examples include psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and mescaline. For centuries, indigenous cultures have used these substances in spiritual and healing rituals. However, in the mid-20th century, scientific interest in psychedelics began to grow as researchers explored their potential for treating mental illness. Despite early promise, political and cultural backlash in the 1960s led to strict legal prohibitions and a halt in research. In recent decades, a renaissance in psychedelic science has emerged, with modern clinical trials conducted by institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College London. These studies suggest that psychedelics, when administered in controlled medical settings, may offer powerful therapeutic benefits for a range of psychological and neurological conditions.