[Emergent drugs (III): hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms].
Anales del sistema sanitario de Navarra – January 01, 2013
Source: PubMed
Summary
The world is seeing an unexpected resurgence in the use of naturally occurring hallucinogens, many of which are legal or partially regulated. Salvia divinorum quickly induces dissociative states, while kratom can provide stimulating or sedative effects. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, increasingly available online, are consumed for LSD-like experiences. Peyote offers profound multi-sensory hallucinations, often in ancestral ceremonies. Even common daturas can cause delirium. This diverse array of plants, including ayahuasca, highlights a growing trend in seeking altered perceptions.
Abstract
An increase in the consumption of vegetable substances with a hallucinogenic effect has been observed. Some of these substances are associated with ancestral religious ceremonies, while many of them are legal or are partially regulated. Salvia divinorum is a powerful kappa receptor agonist, with dissociative and hallucinogenic properties, which start quickly and have a short duration. Kratom (Mytragyna speciosa) has mitragynine as its principal alkaloid, with stimulating effects at low doses (coke-like effect), and sedative effects (opiate-like effect) at high doses. Several deaths from its consumption have been detected. The consumption of hallucinogenic mushrooms appears in cyclic form, although there has been increase in their online offer. They are consumed in search of their hallucinogenic effects, above all those belonging to the family of psilocybes, which contain tryptamines with a hallucinogenic effect similar to LSD. Peyote (Lophophora psilocybes), a cactus rich in mescaline (trimetoxifeniletilamina), produces hallucinations of the five senses, and forms part of the religious culture of the North American Indians. Daturas, which are ubiquitous, produce anticholinergic symptoms and effects on the central nervous system (delirium, hallucinations, etc.), due to their high atropine and scopolamine content. Other substances used for their hallucinogenic effects include the drink known as ayahuasca, and seeds for preparing infusions like Ololiuqui, Morning Glory (Ipomoea violacea), Hawaian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa), Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala) and Iboga Rootbark (Tabernanthe iboga).