6 Mind-Bending Botanicals: Plants with Mind-Altering Powers
As a way of adapting to their environment, several plants have evolved to produce certain chemical compounds called secondary metabolites. These, when ingested by humans, cause a variety of reactions which include altered brain activity and enhanced mental states.
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Ayahuasca – Found in South America, this psychoactive plant is reported to induce spiritual revelations and insights into the true nature of the universe.
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Peyote – This small, spineless cactus native to Texas and Mexico contains the alkaloid mescaline that produces hallucinatory effects on humans.
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Salvia – Native to Mexico, this plant contains salvinorin A, which activates specific nerve cell receptors. The leaves, when eaten or smoked, cause visual hallucinations and can be used to achieve an altered state of consciousness.
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Cannabis – Indigenous to South and Central Asia, this plant contains the psychoactive compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which induces mild euphoria and alterations in vision and judgment.
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Jimsonweed – Growing throughout much of North and South America, the leaves and seeds of this plant contain potent alkaloids hyoscyamine and hyoscine, which act as deliriants, causing intense hallucinations and paranoid delusions.
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Opium Poppy – Native to Turkey, the unripe seeds of this plant exude a milky latex that is the source of raw opium, which can be processed into morphine, codeine, and heroin. Opiates are used as pain-relievers, sedatives, and mood enhancers, that help to alleviate anxiety and promote relaxation.