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]
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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.[70]
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.[72]
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.[96]
![]() | This section needs additional citations for verification. (April 2022) |
Substance(s) | Plant | Comments |
---|---|---|
![]() Asarone |
![]() |
Toxic.[citation needed] |
![]() Yohimbine |
Alchornea floribunda | α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.[citation needed] |
![]() ![]() Arecoline, Arecaidine |
![]() |
GABA uptake inhibitor,[106][107] stimulant.[108] |
![]() Protopine |
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] | |
![]() Ergine |
![]() 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.[109] |
![]() Thujone |
![]() |
Also called "wormwood". GABA receptor antagonist.[110] |
Quinoline & Aporphine alkaloids | ![]() Asimina triloba (Paw Paw) |
Identical alkaloid to morphine.[111] |
![]() ![]() ![]() Tropane alkaloids (scopolamine, atropine, hyoscyamine) |
![]() |
Commonly known as 'deadly nightshade'. An anticholinergic deliriant.[112] |
![]() ![]() ![]() Tropane alkaloids (scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine) |
![]() Brugmansia |
Commonly known as 'angel's trumpets'. An anticholinergic deliriant.[112] |
Unknown | ![]() Calea zacatechichi |
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.[113] |
![]() Caffeine |
![]() |
Tea leaves, tea, native to Asia.[citation needed] |
![]() Cathinone |
![]() Catha edulis |
Khat, commonly chewed, produces a stimulant effect.[114] |
![]() Vincristine |
Catharanthus roseus is (perhaps unpleasantly) "hallucinogenic."[115] | |
Unknown | ![]() |
Commonly referred to as 'night-blooming jasmine', 'lady of the night', and 'poisonberry'. It has an unknown mechanism of action.[citation needed] |
![]() Caffeine |
![]() |
Coffee beans, coffee, native to Africa.[116] |
![]() Caffeine |
![]() Cola |
Cola or kola nut, traditional additive to cola, native to Africa.[citation needed] |
Salvinorin A | ![]() Coleus |
Unknown |
![]() Bulbocapnine |
![]() Corydalis solida, cava |
Bulbocapnine, Nantenine, Tetrahydropalmatine |
![]() ![]() Tropane alkaloids (Scopolamine, Atropine) |
![]() Datura |
Also known as 'thorn apple', 'devil's trumpets', 'loco weed', and 'Jimson weed'. Scopolamine and Atropine are both anticholinergics[117][118] which produce hallucinogenic and deliriant effects. It has an extensive history of being used recreationally.[119] |
![]() Cytisine |
![]() Dermatophyllum |
Nicotine-like effects. partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).[120] |
Unknown | ![]() Desfontainia spinosa |
Causes visions.[121] |
![]() Nicotine |
![]() |
Pituri |
Unknown | ![]() |
African dream herb.[citation needed] |
![]() Ephedrine |
![]() |
Ephedra |
![]() Cocaine |
![]() |
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 |
![]() Himbacine |
Galbulimima belgraveana | Galbulimima belgraveana is rich in alkaloids and twenty-eight alkaloids have been isolated including himbacine.[citation needed] |
![]() Glaucine |
![]() |
Hallucinogenic effects.[122] |
![]() Possibly Cryogenine[citation needed] |
Heimia myrtifolia | Auditory |
![]() Possibly Cryogenine[citation needed] |
![]() |
Auditory[123] |
![]() ![]() Lobeline, Nicotine |
![]() Hippobroma longiflora |
Star of Bethlehem |
![]() Hyperforin |
![]() |
Saint John's wort |
Tropane alkaloids | Hyoscyamus |
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 |
![]() |
Ergine in seeds; up to 0.12% total[124] Produces psychedelic effects. |
Unknown | ![]() Justicia pectoralis |
Unknown |
Lactucarium | ![]() |
Lactucarium |
![]() Lagochilin |
![]() |
Lagochilin is thought to be responsible for the sedative, hypotensive and hemostatic effects of this plant.[citation needed] |
![]() Pukateine |
![]() |
Pukateine |
Unknown | ![]() Rollinia mucosa |
Rollinia mucosa is said to be a narcotic.[111] |
![]() Leonurine |
![]() |
Both leaves and flowers (where most concentrated) contain Leonurine. (Effects reminiscent of marijuana)[citation needed] |
![]() Nicotine[125] |
![]() Leucas aspera |
Nicotine |
![]() Leonurine |
![]() |
Both leaves and flowers (where most concentrated) contain Leonurine. (Effects reminiscent of marijuana)[citation needed] |
![]() Lobeline |
![]() |
Indian tobacco |
Unknown | ![]() |
[126] |
![]() ![]() ![]() Tropane alkaloids (scopolamine, atropine, and hyoscyamine) |
Mandrake has deliriant and anticholinergic properties.[112] | |
![]() Ergine |
![]() Some Mirabilis spp. |
Possibly contains ergine[citation needed], a hallucinogen. |
![]() ![]() Mitragynine, Mitragynine pseudoindoxyl |
Mitragyna speciosa |
Usually referred to as kratom. Has opioid-like and stimulant properties.[127] |
![]() Myristicin |
![]() |
Nutmeg |
![]() Aporphine |
![]() |
Sacred lotus |
![]() Nepetalactone |
![]() Nepeta cataria |
Catnip |
![]() Nicotine |
Tobacco. Can cause hallucinations in very large doses.[citation needed] | |
![]() Aporphine, Apomorphine |
![]() Nymphaea caerulea |
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. Nymphaea caerulea is related to, and possesses similar activity as Nelumbo nucifera, the Sacred Lotus. 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. |
![]() Ginsenosides |
![]() Panax |
Ginseng |
![]() Morphine |
![]() |
Opium. Widely used analgesic, native to the Old World.[128] |
Unknown | Narcotic and toxic when the root is consumed.[111] | |
![]() Yohimbine |
![]() Pausinystalia johimbe |
α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.[citation needed] |
Unknown | Indian warrior | |
![]() Kavalactones |
![]() Piper methysticum |
An anxiolytic[129] and hypnotic.[130] Often advertised as a 'healthier' alternative to alcohol.[citation needed] |
![]() Ergine |
![]() Rivea corymbosa |
Seeds contain ergine, lysergol, and turbicoryn; lysergic acid alkaloids up to 0.03%[131] Has psychedelic properties. |
![]() Salvinorin A |
![]() |
Salvinorin A, 0.89-3.87 mg/g, also Salvinorin B and Salvinorin C[132] |
![]() Mesembrine |
Kanna | |
![]() Baicalein |
![]() Scutellaria |
Known commonly as 'skullcaps'. Baicalein is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptor.[133] |
Unknown | ![]() Silene capensis |
Produces vivid dreams after smoking.[134] |
Unknown | ![]() |
Anethole, Chavicol, Coumarin, Estragole, Isorhamnetin, Methyleugenol, Quercitin |
![]() Ibogaine |
![]() Tabernanthe iboga |
Ibogaine in root bark. Produces psychedelic and a dissociative effects.[135][136] |
![]() Ibogaine |
Tabernanthe orientalis |
Ibogaine in root leaves. Produces psychedelic and a dissociative effects.[135][136] |
![]() ![]() Voacangine, Ibogaine |
![]() |
Is a psychedelic and a dissociative.[136] |
![]() Ibogaine |
Tabernanthe pubescens |
Is a psychedelic and a dissociative. Contains ibogaine and similar alkaloids.[135][136] |
![]() Ibogaine |
![]() Tabernaemontana sp. |
Is a psychedelic and a dissociative.[135][136] |
![]() Theobromine |
![]() |
Cocoa or cacao bean, chocolate, native to the Americas |
![]() Ibogaine |
![]() |
Exhibits psychedelic and dissociative effects. Contains ibogaine, coronaridine, voacangine, apparicine, conoflorine, and 19-epi-voacangarine.[137][138] |
![]() Valerenic acid |
![]() Valeriana officinalis |
Possible sedative and anxiolytic effects. Valerenic acid is GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator,[139] and a 5-HT5A receptor partial agonist.[140] |
![]() Vincamine |
![]() |
Vincamine.[141] |
![]() Voacangine |
![]() Voacanga africana |
Voacangine is similar in structure to ibogaine. It inhibits AChE.[142][143] |
![]() ![]() Possibly Genistein and Apigenin |
![]() Zornia latifolia |
Zornia latifolia is sometimes combined with synthetic cannabis. It may produce similar effects to cannabis.[144][145] It is nicknamed Maconha brava because locals use it as a cannabis substitute.[citation needed] |
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)Although LSD does not occur in nature, a close analogue, lysergic acid amide (LSA, ‘‘ergine’’) is found in the seeds of Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose)