The major psychoactive plants

The major psychoactive factors include many substances, generally of plant origin. Below is a list of the main synthetic plants that have been used historically and psychoactive compounds extracted from them ends.

1.  Poppy ( Papaver somniferum ) is a herbaceous flowering plant from which opium-bearing seeds are obtained. It contains several active substances with psychoactive properties: morphine (from which heroin is extracted), codeine and others.

2.  Hemp ( Cannabis sativa ), also improperly called marijuana, is a, native to southern Asia shrubby plant, which has psychoactive alkaloids with well defined properties. Hashish is obtained.from cannabis

3.  Peyote ( peyote ) is a cactus whose main active ingredient is mescaine. The peyote grows in arid subtropical areas of North America.

4.  Teonanacatl ( Mexican Psilocybe and Stropharia cubensis ) is formed by several species of psychoactive mushrooms that grow in the mountains of Mesoamerica (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guatemala). They contain psilocybin and psilocin

5.  Fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ) is a psychoactive mushroom that grows in the Nordic and temperate mountain forests in Eurasia. It contains muscarine and muscimol.

6. Ayahuasca is an infusion prepared from a vine that grows in the Amazonian region. This vine called  Banisteriopsis caapi contains harmina13   (C 13 H 12 N 2 O), an alkaloid with strong sicoativas properties.

7. Ergot  ( Claviceps purpurea ) is a fungus that parasites rye, wheat and other grasses. It is strongly psychoactive and has significant toxicity that can be removed in its preparation. It is of Eurasian or North African origin. It contains several psychoactive alkaloids including lysergic acid, closely related to LSD-25 (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) the known synthetic psychedelic compound.

8.  Ololiuhqui ( Turbina corymbosa ), also called “seeds of the Virgin” is a vine found in Mexico whose seeds have visionary properties.Like the ergot alkaloids lysergic acid containing, with strongly psychoactive character.

9.  Aguacolla, also called San Pedro or giant ( Trichocereus pachanoi ) is a large-sized cactus (5-8 meters high) that grows in central and northwestern South Andes (Ecuador, Peru) America. Just as the peyote contains mescaline.

10. Coca is a very bushy plant of the Andean foothills in South America whose leaves contain numerous alkaloids, including cocaine.

11. Tobacco is a shrub native American origin grown in most of the native societies. It has several alkaloids, including nicotine.

12 Beleño ( Hyoscyamus niger ) is a herb of the family Solanaceae characteristic of Europe and the Mediterranean region. It contains tropane alkaloids, including hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The latter has visionary properties.

13. Belladonna ( Atropa belladonna ) is a typical European continent herbaceous plant of the family Solanaceae, which contains several tropane alkaloids including hyoscyamine and scopolamine.

14. Mandragora ( Mandragora officinarum ) is a herbaceous plant of European origin that has a thick and irregular root of anthropomorphic appearance. It contains several tropane alkaloids including hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine and mandragorina.

15. Iboga ( Tabernanthe iboga ) is a shrub of Central Africa whose roots are used for its visionary properties. It is a species of milkweed family, consisting of shrubs and trees characterized by their simple leaves, colorful flowers and a milky juice. It contains ibogaine and 11 more indole-alkaloids.

16.Syrian rue ( Peganum harmala ) is a small shrub native to the desert areas of the Mediterranean East. It contains beta-carboline alkaloids such as harmine, harmaline and harmine tetrahydro-with visionary properties.

17. Datura ( Datura inoxia ) is a perennial herb that can reach more than 1m high that grows in Mexico. The root is used, seeds and leaves lesser extent. It contains scopolamine and hyoscyamine.

 There are many other plants rich in alkaloids. Some of them are commonly used in industrial preparations and mass consumption (coffee, tea, chocolate, kola, mate, etc.) (see Chapter 6). Others are known only locally. Surely there are many whose properties are unknown. A complete list would include several thousand species.

From: Peoples, Drugs and Serpents, Danilo Anton, Piriguazú Ediciones

Peyote, a tool for the defense of the cultural rights of native peoples

Just as the ololiuhqui was consecrated from ancient times as a visionary plant by the Mexican and Otomian peoples, the peyote or peyotl (Lophophora williamsii) represented the most important vegetable bond with the sacred for the native peoples of the arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico.
It is a small cactus that has been consumed since time immemorial to generate expanded states of consciousness, and to make decisions, both individually and socially.
Among the Huichols it is known as Húcuri or Xicori. The Cora of the mountains of Tepic call it huatari, and the tepehuane of Durango, kamaba. The Otomi peoples of the Mexican plateau, Beyo, and the Mescalero Apaches, ho or hos.
Its area of ​​occurrence extends along the semi-arid and elevated valleys and plateaus of north-central Mexico (Rio Grande Valley, Tamaulpecan Mountains, Mezquital River, Sierras de Durango and Nayarit, etc) to the south of the United States. (Texas, New Mexico). In general, it is adapted to the calcareous and clayey soils of the Cretaceous formations, in the aforementioned region.
The plant has very particular characteristics, it is small (usually a few centimeters in diameter), rounded shape and lacks branches or leaves.
Its flower is whitish pink, in which a pinkish-red fruit develops in a massive and elongated form.
Peyote contains nine alkaloids from the isoquiniline series, some with effect of strychnine type (toxic), and others of the morphine type (sedative). The combined effects of all these compounds contained in the peyote they are complex, and depend both on the individual who ingests them, and on the context in which they are consumed and on the size of the dose.
The plant was described by Shagun in 1560, as a "narcotic" cactus that the chichimecas used ritually. Jacinto de la Serna mentioned peyote in 1626 and the first botanical description was made in 1638 by Francisco Hernández, a Spanish naturalist, calling him Peyotl Zacatensis. This researcher pointed out that native peoples divided peyote into two types: males and females.
The Huicholes classify them into two varieties, one more active and bitter, with smaller and abundant mamelons on the surface, which they call Tzinouritehua- hicouri or Peyote of the Gods, and another, weaker effect, which they call Rhaitoumuanitarihua-hicouri or Peyote de las Diosas).
According to Rouhier, cited by Weston La Barre, 1970, the latter would be the juvenile phase of the first.
The Huichols have a peyote tutelary Goddess they call Hatzimouika, while for the Tarahumara, the god of peyote is male, hikuli walula saliami.
According to the Tarahumara traditions, the peyote is a plant that sings.
The way to find it is precisely to listen to its song. Then he continues singing while they carry it in the backpacks. Peyote is also expressed during ceremonies, in which the plant also sings songs.
A testimony of a native lipan:
"Peyote is hard to find when you're looking for it ... a person who is not used to it does not recognize it even though it's in the middle of a peyote cluster." Once you see one, another appears and continues until they appear All of them as stars If you have trouble finding them, do the following: When you find one, just eat it, When it takes effect, it gets a little dizzy, You will hear a noise like the wind in a certain direction. comes the sound, you will find many peyote plants
You can get power by visiting the field of peyote in Texas, and telling him that you want to help heal people and get medicine. There you have to water tobacco. The next morning, when the Morning Star appears, the person must return to the field where he put the tobacco and when he approaches he will hear a rattle sounding. If you find a snake there, you must grab it (because it is rolled up on the medicine), take it out, and take a peyote button from that place. Then go to another cluster and take another button ... Maybe, in the place where you grab the fourth button, again find the snake and you must remove it. "
The first effect of ingesting peyote is stimulating, both mentally and physically. Help cope with strenuous physical efforts, such as ceremonial dances and races.
Some people experience euphoric states, and others go into depressive situations. In almost all cases, it acts as a sleep suppressant.
Ceremonial peyote sessions are usually held at night, and in them the participants can stay 10 to 12 hours without sleep.
Physiologically it produces visions of colors, as well as unusual olfactory and auditory perceptions. Many observers have noticed an increase in visual acuity and, perhaps due to the greater sensitivity, a certain photophobia 

Peyote

In the same way that ololiuhqui was consecrated since ancient times as a visionary plant, Mexican and Otomian peoples, peyote represented the most important sacred to the native peoples of arid and semi-arid regions. 8  
It is a small cactus that was used since time immemorial to generate expanded states of consciousness and to make decisions, both socially and individually.
Among the Huichol it is known as hícuri or xicori. 
The Cora people of Tepic mountains call it huatari call it, and  the Tepehuane of Durango, kamaba. The Otomian peoples of the Mexican plateau, beyo, and the Mescalero Apaches, or ho u hos.
Its occurrence area stretches along the valleys and high plateaus of arid and semiarid Mexico (Rio Grande Valley, Tamaulpecan mountains, river Mezquital, Durango and Nayarit Sierras, etc), South and Central US (Texas, New Mexico). In general, it is adapted to limestone and clay soils of the Cretaceous formations in the aforementioned region.
The plant has very particular characteristics, it is small (typically a few centimeters in diameter), rounded and has no branches or leaves. Its flower is whitish pink, in which a reddish solid rosáceo- fruit and elongated shape develops.
Peyote contains nine alkaloids of the isoquinilina series and due to effects type  strychnine (toxic), and others effects type-morphine (sedative).

The combined effects of these compounds in the peyote are complex and depend on both the invididual who ingest it, to the context in which it is consumed and to the size of the dose.
The plant was described by Shagun in 1560, as a Chichimecas «narcotic» cactus ritually used. Jacinto de la Serna mentioned peyote in 1626 and the first botanical description was made ​​in 1638 by Francisco Hernandez, a Spanish naturalist, calling it Peyotl Zacatensis . This researcher noted that native peoples  divided peyote into two types: males and females.
The Huichol classify them into two varieties, one is more active and bitter, with smaller hubs and abundant in the area, which they call Tzinouritehua-hicouri or Peyote of the Gods, and another, of weaker effect, which they call Rhaitoumuanitarihua-hicouri or Peyote of the Goddess).
According to Rouhier quoted by Weston La Barre, 1970, the latter would be the juvenil phase of the first one.
The Huichols have a tutelary goddess of peyote called Hatzimouika, while for the Tarahumara, peyote is the God of man, hikuli walula saliami .
According to the Tarahumara traditions, peyote is a plant that sings. The way to find it is precisely by hear her singing. Then while she is in the bags she keeps singing.
During ceremonies peyote  also sing her songs.
Peyote is quite hard to find when you are looking for it... a person who is not accustomed may not recognize her despite being in the middle of a cluster of peyote. Once you see one, another appears and so on, until all peyotes appear like stars. If you have trouble finding them do the following: when you find one just eat it. When the effect put a little dizzy, you hear a sound like wind in a certain direction. Go over there ... .of where the sound comes, and you will find many peyote plants. (testimony of a lipan) 9  
You can get power by visiting the peyote field in Texas, and saying you want to to help heal people and get medicine. There should spill tobacco. The next morning, when the morning star appears, the person must return to the field where he put the tobacco and when approaching he will hear a jingle bell ringing. If there is a snake, you must grab it (as it is wrapped up the Medicine), remove it, and take a peyote button from that place. Then you go to another cluster and take another button ... Perhaps, when you go to grasp the fourth button you will find the snake again and you must remove it.  
The first effect of the ingestion of peyote is challenging both mentally and physically. It helps to cope with strenuous physical exertion, such as running and ceremonial dances.
Some people become euphoric and others come into depressive  states. In almost all cases, peyote acts as a suppressor of sleep. The ceremonial peyote sessions are usually done at night, and in them the participants can stay 10-12 hours awake.
Physiologically it produces visions of colors and unusual olfactory and auditory perceptions. Many observers have noted an increase in visual acuity and, perhaps for the most sensitive people, some photophobia (discomfort caused by light).
It is consumed in conjunction with a diet of sweet foods, corn soaked in sugar water, fruit and sweet meats and sweets. On the contrary, it is considered incompatible with alcohol or salt.
Normally, the peyote is consumed in group. 
A native oto Weston La Barre pointed out that:
« peyote does not work outside the groups, I know because I’ve tried . «
I is also used commonly for visions, to divine the future and as an aid to decision making. (to be continued)
From "Peoples, Drugs and Serpents", Danilo Antón, Piriguazú Ediciones

The major psychoactive plants

The major psychoactive factors include many substances, generally of plant origin. Below is a list of the main synthetic plants that have been used historically and psychoactive compounds extracted from them ends.

1.  Poppy ( Papaver somniferum ) is a herbaceous flowering plant from which opium-bearing seeds are obtained. It contains several active substances with psychoactive properties: morphine (from which heroin is extracted), codeine and others.

2.  Hemp ( Cannabis sativa ), also improperly called marijuana, is a, native to southern Asia shrubby plant, which has psychoactive alkaloids with well defined properties. Hashish is obtained.from cannabis

3.  Peyote ( peyote ) is a cactus whose main active ingredient is mescaine. The peyote grows in arid subtropical areas of North America.

4.  Teonanacatl ( Mexican Psilocybe and Stropharia cubensis ) is formed by several species of psychoactive mushrooms that grow in the mountains of Mesoamerica (Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guatemala). They contain psilocybin and psilocin

5.  Fly agaric ( Amanita muscaria ) is a psychoactive mushroom that grows in the Nordic and temperate mountain forests in Eurasia. It contains muscarine and muscimol.

6. Ayahuasca is an infusion prepared from a vine that grows in the Amazonian region. This vine called  Banisteriopsis caapi contains harmina13   (C 13 H 12 N 2 O), an alkaloid with strong sicoativas properties.

7. Ergot  ( Claviceps purpurea ) is a fungus that parasites rye, wheat and other grasses. It is strongly psychoactive and has significant toxicity that can be removed in its preparation. It is of Eurasian or North African origin. It contains several psychoactive alkaloids including lysergic acid, closely related to LSD-25 (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) the known synthetic psychedelic compound.

8.  Ololiuhqui ( Turbina corymbosa ), also called “seeds of the Virgin” is a vine found in Mexico whose seeds have visionary properties.Like the ergot alkaloids lysergic acid containing, with strongly psychoactive character.

9.  Aguacolla, also called San Pedro or giant ( Trichocereus pachanoi ) is a large-sized cactus (5-8 meters high) that grows in central and northwestern South Andes (Ecuador, Peru) America. Just as the peyote contains mescaline.

10. Coca is a very bushy plant of the Andean foothills in South America whose leaves contain numerous alkaloids, including cocaine.

11. Tobacco is a shrub native American origin grown in most of the native societies. It has several alkaloids, including nicotine.

12 Beleño ( Hyoscyamus niger ) is a herb of the family Solanaceae characteristic of Europe and the Mediterranean region. It contains tropane alkaloids, including hyoscyamine and scopolamine. The latter has visionary properties.

13. Belladonna ( Atropa belladonna ) is a typical European continent herbaceous plant of the family Solanaceae, which contains several tropane alkaloids including hyoscyamine and scopolamine.

14. Mandragora ( Mandragora officinarum ) is a herbaceous plant of European origin that has a thick and irregular root of anthropomorphic appearance. It contains several tropane alkaloids including hyoscyamine, scopolamine, atropine and mandragorina.

15. Iboga ( Tabernanthe iboga ) is a shrub of Central Africa whose roots are used for its visionary properties. It is a species of milkweed family, consisting of shrubs and trees characterized by their simple leaves, colorful flowers and a milky juice. It contains ibogaine and 11 more indole-alkaloids.

16.Syrian rue ( Peganum harmala ) is a small shrub native to the desert areas of the Mediterranean East. It contains beta-carboline alkaloids such as harmine, harmaline and harmine tetrahydro-with visionary properties.

17. Datura ( Datura inoxia ) is a perennial herb that can reach more than 1m high that grows in Mexico. The root is used, seeds and leaves lesser extent. It contains scopolamine and hyoscyamine.

 There are many other plants rich in alkaloids. Some of them are commonly used in industrial preparations and mass consumption (coffee, tea, chocolate, kola, mate, etc.) (see Chapter 6). Others are known only locally. Surely there are many whose properties are unknown. A complete list would include several thousand species.

From: Peoples, Drugs and Serpents, Danilo Anton, Piriguazú Ediciones