Rumors of Psychedelics, Psychotropics and Related Derivatives in Vachellia and Senegalia in Contrast with Verified Records in Australian Acacia.
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) December 2, 2022 Nicholas J Sadgrove 1 citation
Of the nearly 1000 Australian Acacia species and the 44 southern African species (reclassified as Senegalia and Vachellia in 2011), chemical analysis has confirmed tryptamines (including DMT), β-carbolines, histamines, and phenethylamines in Australian species, but no reliable published data support similar alkaloids in African species. Australian Acacia chemically resemble American Vachellia and Senegalia more than their African relatives. The review compiles tentative data and anecdotal accounts to guide further research, particularly to confirm whether tryptamine and β-carboline alkaloids co-occur in a single specimen—the prerequisite for the ayahuasca brew. These findings are discussed regarding geochemical variability, ethnobotanical implications, and the need for confirmatory studies.