List of psychoactive plants


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.
The plants are listed according to the specific psychoactive chemical substances they contain; many contain multiple known psychoactive compounds.

Cannabinoids

Species of the genus Cannabis, known colloquially as marijuana, including Cannabis sativa and Cannabis indica, are popular psychoactive plants that are often used medically and recreationally. The principal psychoactive substance in Cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol, contains no nitrogen, unlike many other psychoactive substances and is not an indole, tryptamine or phenethylamine. THC is just one of more than 100 identified cannabinoid compounds in Cannabis, which also include cannabinol and cannabidiol.
Cannabis plants vary widely, with different strains producing dynamic balances of cannabinoids 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.

Tryptamines

Many of the psychedelic plants contain dimethyltryptamine, or other tryptamines, which are either snorted, vaporized, or drunk with MAOIs. It cannot simply be eaten as it is not orally active without an MAOI, and must be extremely concentrated in order to be vaporized.

[Acanthaceae]

"Species, Alkaloid content, where given, refers to dried material"

[Aceraceae]

  • Acer saccharinum was found to contain the indole alkaloid gramine 0.05% in the leaves, so it is possible that other members of this plant family contain active compounds.

[Aizoaceae]

Shibam, DMT
aff. litorale

[Apocynaceae]

[Asteraceae]

[Erythroxylaceae]

[Fabaceae] (Leguminosae)


1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2,9-dimethyl-beta-carboline, Plant, 1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-6-methoxy-2-methyl-beta-carboline, Plant, 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, Bark, 5-Methoxy-N-methyltryptamine, Bark, Bufotenin, plant, beans, Bufotenin N-oxide, Fruit, beans, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine-oxide, Fruit

[Lauraceae]

[Malpighiaceae]

[Myristicaceae]

[Ochnaceae]

[Pandanaceae]

[Poaceae] (Gramineae)

Some Graminae species contain gramine, which can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system damage and death in sheep.
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.

[Polygonaceae]

[Rubiaceae]

[Rutaceae]

Source:

Phenethylamines

MESCALINE CACTI
Species, Alkaloid Content – Alkaloid Content
OTHER
Eria Jarens- N,N-Dimethylphenethylamine

Beta-carbolines

s 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.

[Apocynaceae]

[Bignoniaceae]

[Calycanthaceae]

[Chenopodiaceae]

[Combretaceae]

[Cyperaceae]

[Elaeagnaceae]

[Gramineae]

[Lauraceae]

[Leguminosae]

[Loganiaceae]

[Malpighiaceae]

[Myristicaceae]

[Ochnaceae]

[Palmae]

[Papaveraceae]

[Passifloraceae]

[Polygonaceae]

[Rubiaceae]

[Rutaceae]

[Sapotaceae]

[Simaroubaceae]

[Solanaceae]

[Symplocaceae]

[Tiliaceae]

[Zygophyllaceae]

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, 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. Opiates are alkaloid compounds naturally found in the Papaver somniferum plant. 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. 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.

[Papaver somniferum]

The plant contains a latex that thickens into opium when it is dried. Opium contains approximately 40 alkaloids, which are summarized as opium alkaloids. The main psychoactive alkaloids are:

[Atherospermataceae]

Laurelia novae-zelandiae ~ pukateine

[Mitragyna speciosa]

[Picralima nitida]

& Other alkaloids

[Psychotria colorata]

Aspidosperma spp.">Aspidosperma">Aspidosperma spp.

Plants containing other psychoactive substances

SubstancePlantComments


Asarone

Acorus calamus		Toxic.


Yohimbine		Alchornea floribundaα2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.


Arecoline, Arecaidine

Areca catechu		GABA uptake inhibitor, stimulant.


Protopine
Argemone mexicana		Used by Chinese residents of Mexico during the early 20th century as a legal substitute for opium and currently smoked as a marijuana substitute.


Ergine, isoergine
Argyreia nervosa 		Seeds contain ergine and isoergine, often 50-150X the amounts found in Ipomoea violacea. LSA and iso-LSA are psychoactive and/or hallucinogenic.


Thujone

Artemisia absinthium		Also called "wormwood". GABA receptor antagonist.
Quinoline & Aporphine alkaloids

Asimina triloba 		Unknown


Tropane alkaloids

Atropa belladonna		Commonly known as 'deadly nightshade'. An anticholinergic deliriant.


Tropane alkaloids

Brugmansia		Commonly known as 'angel's trumpets'. An anticholinergic deliriant.


Indole alkaloids, Tropane alkaloids
Brunfelsia		Known to cause delirium, sustained mental confusion, and possible blindness.
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.


Caffeine

Camellia sinensis		Tea leaves, tea, native to Asia.


Cathinone
Catha edulis		Khat, commonly chewed, produces a stimulant effect.


Vincristine

Catharanthus roseus		Catharanthus roseus is "hallucinogenic."
Unknown

Cestrum nocturnum		Commonly referred to as 'night-blooming jasmine', 'lady of the night', and 'poisonberry'. It has an unknown mechanism of action.


Caffeine

Coffea arabica		Coffee beans, coffee, native to Africa.


Caffeine

Cola		Cola or kola nut, traditional additive to cola, native to Africa.
Salviorin A
Coleus		Trace amounts of Salviorin A have been discovered in a specific variety: Electric Lime

Bulbocapnine
Corydalis solida, ''cava		Bulbocapnine, Nantenine, Tetrahydropalmatine


Tropane alkaloids
Datura		Also known as 'thorn apple', 'devil's trumpets', 'loco weed', and 'Jimson weed'. Scopolamine and Atropine are both anticholinergics which produce hallucinogenic and deliriant effects. It has an extensive history of being used recreationally.


Cytisine

Dermatophyllum		Nicotine-like effects. partial agonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
Unknown

Desfontainia spinosa		Causes visions.


Nicotine

Duboisia hopwoodii		Pituri
Unknown

Entada rheedei		African dream herb.


Ephedrine

Ephedra sinica		Ephedra


Cocaine

Erythroxylum coca		Coca. Widely used illegal stimulant, produces hallucination in overdose, native to South America.
Unknown

Fittonia albivenis		Nerve or mosaic plant, said to produce vision of eyeballs


Himbacine		Galbulimima belgraveanaGalbulimima belgraveana is rich in alkaloids and twenty-eight alkaloids have been isolated including himbacine.


Glaucine
Glaucium flavum		Hallucinogenic effects.


Possibly Cryogenine		Heimia myrtifoliaAuditory


Possibly Cryogenine

Heimia salicifolia		Auditory


Lobeline, Nicotine

Hippobroma longiflora		Star of Bethlehem


Hyperforin

Hypericum perforatum		Saint John's wort
Tropane alkaloids

Hyoscyamus		Henbane


Caffeine, Theobromine, Dimethylxanthines

Ilex guayusa		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.


Ergine, isoergine

Ipomoea tricolor & Ipomoea violacea		Ergine and isoergine in seeds; up to 0.12% ergine total Produces psychedelic effects.
Lactucarium
Lactuca virosa		Lactucarium

Lagochilin

Lagochilus inebrians		Lagochilin is thought to be responsible for the sedative, hypotensive and hemostatic effects of this plant.


Pukateine
Laurelia novae-zelandiae		Pukateine

Coreximine,
Reticuline

Rollinia mucosa		Corexamine inhibits the enzyme dopamine β-hydroxylase, which converts dopamine to norepinephrine.Reticuline acts as a central nervous system depressant in rats and mice.


Leonurine
Leonotis leonurus		Both leaves and flowers contain Leonurine.


Nicotine
Leucas aspera		Nicotine


Leonurine
Leonotis nepetifolia		Both leaves and flowers contain Leonurine and several compounds.


Lobeline

Lobelia inflata		Indian tobacco
Unknown
Magnolia virginiana


Tropane alkaloids

Mandragora officinarum		Mandrake has deliriant and anticholinergic properties.


Ergine

Some Mirabilis spp.		Possibly contains ergine, a hallucinogen.


Mitragynine

Mitragyna speciosa		Usually referred to as kratom. Has opioid-like and stimulant properties.


Myristicin

Myristica fragrans		Nutmeg


Aporphine

Nelumbo nucifera		Sacred lotus


Nepetalactone

Nepeta cataria		Catnip


Nicotine

Nicotiana tabacum		Tobacco. Can cause hallucinations in very large doses.


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 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 similarities 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.
These psychoactive effects make Nymphaea caerulea a likely candidate 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.
Other sources cite anti-spasmodic and sedative, purifying and calming properties.


Ginsenosides

Panax		Ginseng


Morphine

Papaver somniferum		Opium. Widely used analgesic, native to the Old World.
Unknown

Phytolacca americana		Narcotic and toxic when the root is consumed.


Yohimbine

Pausinystalia johimbe		α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist.
Unknown

Pedicularis densiflora		Indian warrior


Kavalactones
Piper methysticum		An anxiolytic and hypnotic. Often advertised as a 'healthier' alternative to alcohol.


Ergine, isoergine

Rivea corymbosa		Seeds contain ergine, isoergine, lysergol, and turbicoryn; lysergic acid alkaloids up to 0.03% Has psychedelic properties.


Salvinorin A
Salvia divinorum		Salvinorin A, 0.89–3.87 mg/g, also Salvinorin B and Salvinorin C

Mesembrine

Sceletium tortuosum		Kanna


Baicalein

Scutellaria		Known commonly as 'skullcaps'. Baicalein is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptor.
Unknown
Sessea		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.
Unknown
Silene capensis		Produces vivid dreams after smoking.
Unknown
Tagetes lucida		Anethole, Chavicol, Coumarin, Estragole, Isorhamnetin, Methyleugenol, Quercitin


Ibogaine
Tabernanthe iboga		Ibogaine in root bark. Produces psychedelic and a dissociative effects.


Ibogaine
Tabernanthe orientalis		Ibogaine in root leaves. Produces psychedelic and a dissociative effects.


Voacangine, Ibogaine
Tabernaemontana divaricata		Is a psychedelic and a dissociative.


Ibogaine
Tabernanthe pubescens		Is a psychedelic and a dissociative. Contains ibogaine and similar alkaloids.


Ibogaine

Tabernaemontana sp.		Is a psychedelic and a dissociative.


Theobromine

Theobroma cacao		Cocoa or cacao bean, chocolate, native to the Americas


Ibogaine
Trachelospermum jasminoides		Exhibits psychedelic and dissociative effects. Contains ibogaine, coronaridine, voacangine, apparicine, conoflorine, and 19-epi-voacangarine.


Valerenic acid

Valeriana officinalis		Possible sedative and anxiolytic effects. Valerenic acid is GABAA receptor positive allosteric modulator, and a 5-HT5A receptor partial agonist.


Vincamine

Vinca minor		Vincamine.


Voacangine

Voacanga africana		Voacangine is similar in structure to ibogaine. It inhibits AChE.


Dendrobine

Dendrobium nobile		Also contains phenanthrenes and dendrobine related alkaloids.


Possibly Genistein and Apigenin

Zornia latifolia		Zornia latifolia'' is sometimes combined with synthetic cannabis. It may produce similar effects to cannabis. It is nicknamed Maconha brava because locals use it as a cannabis substitute.