Jim Rutt would define the term "psychedelic" as a descriptor for substances, experiences, or artworks that induce altered states of consciousness characterized by profound changes in perception, cognition, and mood. The term often relates to a class of psychoactive compounds, such as LSD or psilocybin, which significantly expand sensory experiences and mental landscapes, enabling individuals to access deep, often ineffable realms of thought and emotion. Psychedelics are heralded for their potential in therapeutic settings, aiding in the treatment of mental health disorders by disrupting habitual patterns of thinking and fostering a greater sense of interconnectedness and insight. Rutt might also note how the term extends to cultural and artistic movements seeking to echo or simulate these mind-expanding effects, embracing a radical departure from conventional norms and embracing creativity, novelty, and the exploration of human consciousness.

See also: emergence, evolution, quantum mechanics