Final answer:
The type of psychoactive drug that distorts perceptions and affects thinking is known as hallucinogens. These drugs, such as LSD, cause profound perceptual changes and altered states of consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Psychoactive drugs are substances that affect the function of the brain and lead to changes in mood, thinking, perception, and behavior. They are categorized into different classes such as stimulants, depressants, anxiolytics, euphoriants, and hallucinogens. Among these, hallucinogens are the type that distorts perceptions and alters thinking. Examples include substances such as LSD, which can cause hallucinations and profound distortions in reality.
The final answer to the student's question is: d) Hallucinogens. These drugs are used for various purposes including medical, ritual, and recreationally for the intense alterations in sensory perception and cognitive processes they cause.