Loading AI tools
List of plant species with reported psychoactive properties From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of plant species that, when consumed by humans, are known or suspected to produce psychoactive effects: changes in nervous system function that alter perception, mood, consciousness, cognition or behavior. Many of these plants are used intentionally as psychoactive drugs, for medicinal, religious, and/or recreational purposes. Some have been used ritually as entheogens for millennia.[1][2]
![]() | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
The plants are listed according to the specific psychoactive chemical substances they contain; many contain multiple known psychoactive compounds.
Species of the genus Cannabis, known colloquially as marijuana, including Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, is a popular psychoactive plant that is often used medically and recreationally. The principal psychoactive substance in Cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), contains no nitrogen, unlike many (but not all) other psychoactive substances[lower-alpha 1] and is not an indole, tryptamine, phenethylamine, anticholinergic (deliriant) or dissociative drug. THC is just one of more than 100 identified cannabinoid compounds in Cannabis, which also include cannabinol (CBN) and cannabidiol (CBD).
Cannabis plants vary widely, with different strains producing dynamic balances of cannabinoids (THC, CBD, etc.) and yielding markedly different effects. Popular strains are often hybrids of C. sativa and C. indica.
The medicinal effects of cannabis are widely studied, and are active topics of research both at universities and private research firms. Many jurisdictions have laws regulating or prohibiting the cultivation, sale and/or use of medical and recreational cannabis.[citation needed]
Many of the psychedelic plants contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT), or other tryptamines, which are either snorted (Virola, Yopo snuffs), vaporized, or drunk with MAOIs (Ayahuasca). It cannot simply be eaten as it is not orally active without an MAOI and it needs to be extremely concentrated to be vaporized.
"Species, Alkaloid content, where given, refers to dried material"
1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-beta-carboline, Plant,[48] 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl-beta-carboline, Plant,[45] 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, Bark,[45] 5-Methoxy-N-methyltryptamine, Bark,[45] Bufotenin, plant,[45] beans,[44] Bufotenin N-oxide, Fruit,[45] beans,[44] N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-oxide, Fruit[45][49]
Some Graminae (grass) species contain gramine, which can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system damage and death in sheep.[73]
None of the above alkaloids are said to have been found in Phalaris californica, Phalaris canariensis, Phalaris minor and hybrids of P. arundinacea together with P. aquatica.[75]
Species, Alkaloid Content (Fresh) – Alkaloid Content (Dried)
Beta-carbolines are "reversible" MAO-A inhibitors. They are found in some plants used to make Ayahuasca. In high doses the harmala alkaloids are somewhat hallucinogenic on their own. β-carboline is a benzodiazepine receptor inverse agonist and can therefore have convulsive, anxiogenic and memory enhancing effects.[101]
Opiates are the natural products of many plants, the most famous and historically relevant of which is Papaver somniferum. Opiates are defined as natural products (or their esters and salts that revert to the natural product in the human body), whereas opioids are defined as semi-synthetic or fully synthetic compounds that trigger the Opioid receptor of the mu sub-type. Other opiate receptors, such as kappa- and delta-opiate receptors are part of this system but do not cause the characteristic behavioral depression and analgesia which is mostly mediated through the mu-opiate receptor.
An opiate, in classical pharmacology, is a substance derived from opium. In more modern usage, the term opioid is used to designate all substances, both natural and synthetic, that bind to opioid receptors in the brain (including antagonists). Opiates are alkaloid compounds naturally found in the Papaver somniferum plant (opium poppy). The psychoactive compounds found in the opium plant include morphine, codeine, and thebaine. Opiates have long been used for a variety of medical conditions with evidence of opiate trade and use for pain relief as early as the eighth century AD. Opiates are considered drugs with moderate to high abuse potential and are listed on various "Substance-Control Schedules" under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of the United States of America.
In 2014, between 13 and 20 million people used opiates recreationally (0.3% to 0.4% of the global population between the ages of 15 and 65). According to the CDC, from this population, there were 47,000 deaths, with a total of 500,000 deaths from 2000 to 2014. In 2016, the World Health Organization reported that 27 million people suffer from Opioid use disorder. They also reported that in 2015, 450,000 people died as a result of drug use, with between a third and a half of that number being attributed to opioids.
The plant contains a latex that thickens into opium when it is dried. Opium contains approximately 40 alkaloids, which are summarized as opium alkaloids.[6] The main psychoactive alkaloids are:
Laurelia novae-zelandiae ~ pukateine
This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2022) |
Substance(s) | Plant | Comments |
---|---|---|
![]() |
![]() |
Toxic.[citation needed] |
![]() |
Alchornea floribunda | α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.[citation needed] |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
GABA uptake inhibitor,[118][119] stimulant.[120] |
![]() |
Used by Chinese residents of Mexico during the early 20th century as a legal substitute for opium and currently smoked as a marijuana substitute.[citation needed] | |
![]() |
![]() Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian Baby Woodrose) |
Seeds contain ergine (also known as LSA), often 50-150X the amounts found in Ipomoea violacea. LSA is a hallucinogen.[121] |
![]() |
![]() |
Also called "wormwood". GABA receptor antagonist.[122] |
Quinoline & Aporphine alkaloids | ![]() Asimina triloba (Paw Paw) |
Identical alkaloid to morphine.[123] |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Commonly known as 'deadly nightshade'. An anticholinergic deliriant.[124] |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Commonly known as 'angel's trumpets'. An anticholinergic deliriant.[124] |
![]() ![]() ![]() Indole alkaloids (harmine, manacine, brunfelsamidine), Tropane alkaloids (scopolamine) |
![]() |
Known to cause delirium, sustained mental confusion, and possible blindness.[125] |
Unknown | ![]() |
Produces vivid dreams after smoking. It is also employed by the Chontal people as a medicinal herb against gastrointestinal disorders, and is used as an appetizer, cathartic anti-dysentery remedy, and as a fever-reducing agent. Its psychedelic properties do not become apparent until the user is asleep. Reports describe rituals that involve drinking it as a tea to induce divinatory or lucid dreams due to its properties as an oneirogen.[126] |
![]() |
![]() |
Tea leaves, tea, native to Asia.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Khat, commonly chewed, produces a stimulant effect.[127] |
![]() |
Catharanthus roseus is (perhaps unpleasantly) "hallucinogenic."[128][unreliable source?] | |
Unknown | ![]() |
Commonly referred to as 'night-blooming jasmine', 'lady of the night', and 'poisonberry'. It has an unknown mechanism of action.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Coffee beans, coffee, native to Africa.[129] |
![]() |
![]() |
Cola or kola nut, traditional additive to cola, native to Africa.[citation needed] |
(Unknown) | ![]() |
Unknown |
![]() |
![]() Corydalis solida, cava |
Bulbocapnine, Nantenine, Tetrahydropalmatine |
![]() ![]() Tropane alkaloids (Scopolamine, Atropine) |
![]() |
Also known as 'thorn apple', 'devil's trumpets', 'loco weed', and 'Jimson weed'. Scopolamine and Atropine are both anticholinergics[130][131] which produce hallucinogenic and deliriant effects. It has an extensive history of being used recreationally.[132] |
![]() |
![]() |
Nicotine-like effects. partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).[133] |
Unknown | ![]() |
Causes visions.[134] |
![]() |
![]() |
Pituri |
Unknown | ![]() |
African dream herb.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Ephedra |
![]() |
![]() |
Coca. Widely used illegal stimulant, produces hallucination in overdose, native to South America.[citation needed] |
Unknown | ![]() |
Nerve or mosaic plant, said to produce vision of eyeballs |
![]() |
Galbulimima belgraveana | Galbulimima belgraveana is rich in alkaloids and twenty-eight alkaloids have been isolated including himbacine.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Hallucinogenic effects.[135] |
![]() Possibly Cryogenine[citation needed] |
Heimia myrtifolia | Auditory |
![]() Possibly Cryogenine[citation needed] |
![]() |
Auditory[136][better source needed] |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Star of Bethlehem |
![]() |
![]() |
Saint John's wort |
Tropane alkaloids | Henbane | |
![]() ![]() Caffeine, Theobromine, Dimethylxanthines |
![]() |
Ilex guayusa is used as an additive to some versions of Ayahuasca. According to the Ecuadorian indigenous, it is also slightly hallucinogenic on its own, when drunk in high enough quantities.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Ergine in seeds; up to 0.12% total[137][better source needed] Produces psychedelic effects. |
Unknown | ![]() |
Unknown |
Lactucarium | ![]() |
Lactucarium |
![]() |
![]() |
Lagochilin is thought to be responsible for the sedative, hypotensive and hemostatic effects of this plant.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Pukateine |
Unknown | ![]() |
Rollinia mucosa is said to be a narcotic.[123] |
![]() |
![]() |
Both leaves and flowers (where most concentrated) contain Leonurine. (Effects reminiscent of marijuana)[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() Leucas aspera |
Nicotine |
![]() |
![]() |
Both leaves and flowers (where most concentrated) contain Leonurine and several compounds. (Effects reminiscent of marijuana)[citation needed][139] |
![]() |
![]() |
Indian tobacco |
Unknown | ![]() |
[6] |
![]() ![]() ![]() |
Mandrake has deliriant and anticholinergic properties.[124] | |
![]() |
![]() Some Mirabilis spp. |
Possibly contains ergine[citation needed], a hallucinogen. |
![]() ![]() |
Usually referred to as kratom. Has opioid-like and stimulant properties.[140] | |
![]() |
![]() |
Nutmeg |
![]() |
![]() |
Sacred lotus |
![]() |
![]() |
Catnip |
![]() |
Tobacco. Can cause hallucinations in very large doses.[citation needed] | |
![]() |
![]() |
Blue lotus or lily. Recent studies have shown Nymphaea caerulea to have psychedelic properties, and may have been used as a sacrament in ancient Egypt and certain ancient South American cultures. Dosages of 5 to 10 grams of the flowers induces slight stimulation, a shift in thought processes, enhanced visual perception, and mild closed-eye visuals.[141] Nymphaea caerulea is unrelated to Nelumbo nucifera the Sacred Lotus, with Nymphaea in the Nymphales, one of the oldest and most basal linegages of flowering plants and with Nelumbo in Proteales one of the core eudicots. Their morphological similarties being entirely convergent evolution, however they apparently have convergently evolved similar biochemistry. Both Nymphaea caerulea and Nelumbo nucifera contain the alkaloids nuciferine and apomorphine, which have been recently isolated by independent labs.[citation needed]
These psychoactive effects make Nymphaea caerulea a likely candidate (among several) for the lotus plant eaten by the mythical Lotophagi in Homer's Odyssey. Used in aromatherapy, Nymphaea caerulea is purported to have a "divine" essence, bringing euphoria, heightened awareness and tranquility.[citation needed] Other sources cite anti-spasmodic and sedative, purifying and calming properties. |
![]() |
![]() |
Ginseng |
![]() |
![]() |
Opium. Widely used analgesic, native to the Old World.[142] |
Unknown | Narcotic and toxic when the root is consumed.[123] | |
![]() |
![]() |
α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.[citation needed] |
Unknown | Indian warrior | |
![]() |
![]() |
An anxiolytic[143] and hypnotic.[144] Often advertised as a 'healthier' alternative to alcohol.[citation needed] |
![]() |
![]() |
Seeds contain ergine, lysergol, and turbicoryn; lysergic acid alkaloids up to 0.03%[145][better source needed] Has psychedelic properties. |
![]() |
![]() |
Salvinorin A, 0.89–3.87 mg/g, also Salvinorin B and Salvinorin C[146][unreliable source?] |
![]() Mesembrine |
Kanna[147][148] | |
![]() |
![]() |
Known commonly as 'skullcaps'. Baicalein is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptor.[149] |
Unknown | ![]() |
S. brasiliensis poisoning is described as very similar to that of Cestrum laevigatum; a species used to induce hallucinations by the Krahô tribe for spiritual purposes.[150] [151] |
Unknown | ![]() |
Produces vivid dreams after smoking.[152] |
Unknown | ![]() |
Anethole, Chavicol, Coumarin, Estragole, Isorhamnetin, Methyleugenol, Quercitin |
![]() |
![]() |
Ibogaine in root bark. Produces psychedelic and a dissociative effects.[153][154] |
![]() |
Tabernanthe orientalis |
Ibogaine in root leaves. Produces psychedelic and a dissociative effects.[153][154] |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Is a psychedelic and a dissociative.[154] |
![]() |
Tabernanthe pubescens |
Is a psychedelic and a dissociative. Contains ibogaine and similar alkaloids.[153][154] |
![]() |
![]() Tabernaemontana sp. |
Is a psychedelic and a dissociative.[153][154] |
![]() |
![]() |
Cocoa or cacao bean, chocolate, native to the Americas |
![]() |
![]() |
Exhibits psychedelic and dissociative effects. Contains ibogaine, coronaridine, voacangine, apparicine, conoflorine, and 19-epi-voacangarine.[155][better source needed][156] |
![]() |
![]() |
Possible sedative and anxiolytic effects. Valerenic acid is GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator,[157] and a 5-HT5A receptor partial agonist.[158] |
![]() |
![]() |
Vincamine.[159] |
![]() |
![]() |
Voacangine is similar in structure to ibogaine. It inhibits AChE.[160][161] |
![]() |
![]() |
Also contains phenanthrenes and dendrobine related alkaloids. |
![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Zornia latifolia is sometimes combined with synthetic cannabis. It may produce similar effects to cannabis.[163][164] It is nicknamed Maconha brava because locals use it as a cannabis substitute.[citation needed] |
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.