: Re: Introducing a plot-critical hallucinogen partway through a mystery? This is a sort of act related question. I have an important drug that causes the protagonist to encounter people and things

@Speyer920

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Well. In my opinion you should do what feels right for the story and not thinking so much of the reader. When you finish your novel, then you will have a better look on the whole story and might edit if you find something could be better.
I think you should consider the following when you choose.
If your drug is only to catalyst for the interesting events then I think you should reveal most of it sooner in the story as it is a Macguffin - nothing so important just a cause.
But if you want the drug to play an important role in the story then you should not raise the mystery very early - reveal only what is needed for the story to unfold.
In conclusion what I can say in your case is if you want the readers surprised and keeping the mystery then just suggest of this effect by the drug but in order to grab the attention from the beginning then think of another effect that the drug does - maybe it is the intended effect and the fact that it affects the real world is like a side effect that is revealed later.
Hope this helps.

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