There is more to it than just recreational use. I started that way, and then became fascinated with a different view of reality, the stepping out and back in, adds a remarkable clarity to thought. Doing some Sandoz acid back in the 60's led me to some truly inspiring places. It is a large part of who I am today and why I live how and where I do. I am at peace in the woods. I have the stars at night and the wind in the trees. I chased that for a few years after, and lost count after I dropped acid for the 500th time.
I actually ended up doing public service when the locals had a really bad tripper, the cops would show up and I would get to go into the cell and talk them down. Not really down but guide them to a different place.

Once my first child was born I stopped all use of illegal drugs, not something you can do if you are responsible for a child, but yes I still drink and sometimes smoke. Roll my own, especially when I have a touch of Jim Beam.

The places and experiences I had I now go to in a different way, meditation, working with the chi, and physical labor. I do credit the acid with showing me the way the first time and I might never have known otherwise.

Mankind has spent generations altering his reality, prayer, fasting, flagellation. The interior of a mosque or church are desinged to take you from your reality. I was lucky enough to actually experience an Indian peyote ceremony. Read "Varieties of Religious Experience" by James if you will.

This is a story as long as mankinds story, with many, many chapters. Quantum physics is only just starting to explain or even admit some of these effects are there. Point you specfically to the non-local effect.

http://www.quantumconsciousness.org/penrose-hameroff/orchOR.html

Peace

Don in Maine