What are dissociative drugs?

Dissociatives drugs are a class of substances that distort perceptions of sight and sound and produce feelings of detachment from the environment and self. These drugs, which include ketamine, PCP (phencyclidine), and dextromethorphan (DXM), work primarily by disrupting the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate in the brain. Users may experience altered sensory perception, a sense of unreality, and impaired motor function. While some dissociatives drugs have medical uses, such as anesthesia, their non-medical use can carry significant risks, including confusion, memory loss, anxiety, and, in some cases, long-term psychological effects