This is a list of
psychoactive plants, fungi, and animals.
Plants
Psychoactive plants include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
* ''
Cannabis
''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: '' Cannabis sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Alternative ...
'':
cannabinoids
Cannabinoids () are several structural classes of compounds found in the cannabis plant primarily and most animal organisms (although insects lack such receptors) or as synthetic compounds. The most notable cannabinoid is the phytocannabinoid tet ...
*
Tobacco
Tobacco is the common name of several plants in the genus '' Nicotiana'' of the family Solanaceae, and the general term for any product prepared from the cured leaves of these plants. More than 70 species of tobacco are known, but the ...
:
nicotine
Nicotine is a natural product, naturally produced alkaloid in the nightshade family of plants (most predominantly in tobacco and ''Duboisia hopwoodii'') and is widely used recreational drug use, recreationally as a stimulant and anxiolytic. As ...
and
beta-carboline
β-Carboline (9''H''- pyrido ,4-''b'' ndole) represents the basic chemical structure for more than one hundred alkaloids and synthetic compounds. The effects of these substances depend on their respective substituent. Natural β-carbolines prima ...
alkaloid
Alkaloids are a class of basic, naturally occurring organic compounds that contain at least one nitrogen atom. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Some synthetic compounds of similar ...
s
*
Coca
Coca is any of the four cultivated plants in the family Erythroxylaceae, native to western South America. Coca is known worldwide for its psychoactive alkaloid, cocaine.
The plant is grown as a cash crop in the Argentine Northwest, Bolivia, ...
:
cocaine
Cocaine (from , from , ultimately from Quechua: ''kúka'') is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant mainly used recreationally for its euphoric effects. It is primarily obtained from the leaves of two Coca species native to South Ameri ...
*
Opium Poppy:
morphine
Morphine is a strong opiate that is found naturally in opium, a dark brown resin in poppies (''Papaver somniferum''). It is mainly used as a pain medication, and is also commonly used recreationally, or to make other illicit opioids. T ...
,
codeine,
thebaine
Thebaine (paramorphine), also known as codeine methyl enol ether, is an opiate alkaloid, its name coming from the Greek Θῆβαι, '' Thēbai'' (Thebes), an ancient city in Upper Egypt. A minor constituent of opium, thebaine is chemically similar ...
,
papaverine
Papaverine (Latin '' papaver'', "poppy") is an opium alkaloid antispasmodic drug, used primarily in the treatment of visceral spasms and vasospasms (especially those involving the intestines, heart, or brain), occasionally in the treatment of e ...
,
noscapine
Noscapine (also known as Narcotine, Nectodon, Nospen, Anarcotine and (archaic) Opiane) is a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, of the phthalideisoquinoline structural subgroup, which has been isolated from numerous species of the family Papaveraceae ( ...
, and
narceine
* ''
Salvia divinorum'':
salvinorin A
Salvinorin A is the main active psychotropic molecule in ''Salvia divinorum''. Salvinorin A is considered a dissociative hallucinogen.
It is structurally distinct from other naturally occurring hallucinogens (such as DMT, psilocybin, an ...
*
Khat
Khat or qat ( ''ch’at''; Oromo: ''Jimaa'', so, qaad, khaad, khat or chat, ar, القات ''al-qāt'') is a flowering plant native to eastern and southern Africa. Khat contains the alkaloid cathinone, a stimulant, which is said to cause e ...
:
cathine and
cathinone
*
Kava:
kavalactones
Kavalactones are a class of lactone compounds found in kava roots and Alpinia zerumbet (Shell ginger). Kavalactones are under research for potential to have various psychotropic effects, including anxiolytic and sedative/ hypnotic activities.
En ...
*
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is the seed or ground spice of several species of the genus ''Myristica''. ''Myristica fragrans'' (fragrant nutmeg or true nutmeg) is a dark-leaved evergreen tree cultivated for two spices derived from its fruit: nutmeg, from its seed, an ...
:
myristicin
Myristicin is a naturally occurring compound found in common herbs and spices, the most well known being nutmeg. It is an insecticide, and has been shown to enhance the effectiveness of other insecticides in combination. Myristicin is also a pre ...
* Nightshade (''
Solanaceae'') plants containing
hyoscyamine,
atropine, and
scopolamine:
** ''
Datura''
** Deadly nightshade (''
Atropa belladonna'')
** Henbane (''
Hyoscyamus niger
''Hyoscyamus niger'', commonly known as henbane, black henbane, or stinking nightshade, is a poisonous plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae. It is native to temperate Europe and Siberia, and naturalised in Great Britain and Ireland.
Histor ...
'')
** Mandrake (''
Mandragora officinarum
''Mandragora officinarum'' is the type species of the plant genus '' Mandragora'' in the nightshade family Solanaceae. It is often known as mandrake, although this name is also used for other plants. , sources differed significantly in the specie ...
'')
** Other ''
Solanaceae''
*
Psychoactive cacti, which contain mainly
mescaline:
**
Peyote
** Other ''
Lophophora
''Lophophora'' () is a genus of spineless, button-like cacti. Its area range covers southern through northeastern and north-central Mexico to Querétaro in central Mexico. The species are extremely slow growing, sometimes taking up to thirty ye ...
''
**
Peruvian Torch cactus
**
San Pedro cactus
** Other ''
Echinopsis
''Echinopsis'' is a large genus of cacti native to South America, sometimes known as hedgehog cactus, sea-urchin cactus or Easter lily cactus. One small species, ''E. chamaecereus'', is known as the peanut cactus. The 128 species range from l ...
''
* Minimally psychoactive plants that contain mainly
caffeine
Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant of the methylxanthine class. It is mainly used recreationally as a cognitive enhancer, increasing alertness and attentional performance. Caffeine acts by blocking binding of adenosine to ...
and
theobromine
Theobromine, also known as xantheose, is the principal alkaloid of '' Theobroma cacao'' (cacao plant). Theobromine is slightly water-soluble (330 mg/L) with a bitter taste. In industry, theobromine is used as an additive and precursor to ...
:
**
Coffee
Coffee is a drink prepared from roasted coffee beans. Darkly colored, bitter, and slightly acidic, coffee has a stimulating effect on humans, primarily due to its caffeine content. It is the most popular hot drink in the world.
Seeds of ...
**
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring hot or boiling water over cured or fresh leaves of ''Camellia sinensis'', an evergreen shrub native to East Asia which probably originated in the borderlands of southwestern China and north ...
(also contains
theanine
Theanine , also known as L-γ-glutamylethylamide and ''N''5-ethyl-L-glutamine, is an amino acid analogue of the proteinogenic amino acids L-glutamate and L-glutamine and is found primarily in particular plant and fungal species. It was disco ...
)
**
Guarana
Guaraná ( from the Portuguese ''guaraná'' ), ''Paullinia cupana'', syns. ''P. crysan, P. sorbilis'') is a climbing plant in the family Sapindaceae, native to the Amazon basin and especially common in Brazil. Guaraná has large leaves and c ...
**
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate or yerba-maté (''Ilex paraguariensis''; from Spanish ; pt, erva-mate, or ; gn, ka'a, ) is a plant species of the holly genus '' Ilex'' native to South America. It was named by the French botanist Augustin Saint-Hilaire. The lea ...
**
Cocoa
**
Kola
KOLA (99.9 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Redlands, California, and broadcasting to the Riverside-San Bernardino-Inland Empire radio market. It is owned by the Anaheim Broadcasting Corporation and it airs a classic hits radio for ...
* Other plants:
** ''
Mimosa hostilis'':
DMT
**
Chacruna: DMT, NMT
**
Cebil and
Yopo
''Anadenanthera peregrina'', also known as yopo, jopo, cohoba, parica or calcium tree, is a perennial tree of the genus ''Anadenanthera'' native to the Caribbean and South America. It grows up to tall, and has a horny bark. Its flowers grow ...
: DMT,
5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-''N'',''N''-dimethyltryptamine) or O-methyl-bufotenin is a psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It is found in a wide variety of plant species, and also is secreted by the glands of at least one toad species, the Colorado R ...
,
bufotenin
Bufotenin (5-HO-DMT, bufotenine) is a tryptamine derivative - more specifically, a DMT derivative - related to the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is an alkaloid found in some species of toads (especially the skin), mushrooms and plants.
...
**''
Mucuna pruriens'': nicotine,
serotonin, and bufotenin
**
Morning glory
Morning glory (also written as morning-glory) is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, whose current taxonomy and systematics are in flux. Morning glory species belong to many genera, some of ...
species, notably
Hawaiian Baby Woodrose
''Argyreia nervosa'' is a perennial climbing vine native to the Indian subcontinent and introduced to numerous areas worldwide, including Hawaii, Africa, and the Caribbean. Though it can be invasive, it is often prized for its aesthetic and med ...
:
lysergic acid amide
Ergine, also known as d-lysergic acid amide (LSA) and d-lysergamide, is an ergoline alkaloid that occurs in various species of vines of the Convolvulaceae and some species of fungi. The psychedelic properties in the seeds of ololiuhqui, Hawaiian ...
(LSA or ergine)
**
Iboga:
ibogaine
Ibogaine is a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in plants in the family Apocynaceae such as '' Tabernanthe iboga'', '' Voacanga africana'', and '' Tabernaemontana undulata''. It is a psychedelic with dissociative properties.
Pre ...
,
noribogaine,
ibogamine
Ibogamine is an anti-convulsant, anti-addictive, CNS stimulant alkaloid found in ''Tabernanthe iboga'' and Crepe Jasmine (''Tabernaemontana divaricata''). Basic research related to how addiction affects the brain has used this chemical.
Ibogam ...
,
voacangine
Voacangine (12-methoxyibogamine-18-carboxylic acid methyl ester) is an alkaloid found predominantly in the root bark of the '' Voacanga africana'' tree, as well as in other plants such as ''Tabernanthe iboga'', '' Tabernaemontana africana'', ''Tra ...
,
18-methoxycoronaridine
**
''Ephedra'':
ephedrine
Ephedrine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that is often used to prevent low blood pressure during anesthesia. It has also been used for asthma, narcolepsy, and obesity but is not the preferred treatment. It is of unclear benefit in ...
**
''Acacia'' species
**
Damiana
''Turnera diffusa'', known as damiana, is a shrub native to southern Texas in the United States, Central America, Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. It belongs to the family Passifloraceae.
Damiana is a relatively small, woody shrub tha ...
** ''
Calea zacatechichi''
** ''
Silene capensis''
**
Valerian:
valerian
**
Areca nut
''Areca'' is a genus of 51 species of palms in the family Arecaceae, found in humid tropical forests from the islands of the Philippines, Malaysia and India, across Southeast Asia to Melanesia. The generic name ''Areca'' is derived from a name ...
:
arecaidine
Arecaidine is a bio-active alkaloid in areca nuts. It is a competitive GABA uptake inhibitor. Lime is said to hydrolyse arecoline
Arecoline () is a nicotinic acid-based mild parasympathomimetic stimulant alkaloid found in the areca nut, the f ...
and
arecoline
Arecoline () is a nicotinic acid-based mild parasympathomimetic stimulant alkaloid found in the areca nut, the fruit of the areca palm (''Areca catechu''). It is an odourless oily liquid. It can bring a sense of enhanced alertness and energy, eu ...
**
Kratom
''Mitragyna speciosa'' (commonly known as kratom, an herbal leaf from a tree of the Rubiaceae family, ) is a tropical evergreen tree in the coffee family native to Southeast Asia. It is indigenous to Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and ...
:
mitragynine,
mitraphylline,
7-hydroxymitragynine,
raubasine
Ajmalicine, also known as δ-yohimbine or raubasine, is an antihypertensive drug used in the treatment of high blood pressure. It has been marketed under numerous brand names including Card-Lamuran, Circolene, Cristanyl, Duxil, Duxor, Hydroxysarp ...
, and corynantheidine
** ''
Rauvolfia serpentina
''Rauvolfia serpentina'', the Indian snakeroot, devil pepper, or serpentine wood, is a species of flower in the milkweed family Apocynaceae. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and East Asia (from India to Indonesia).
''Rauvolfia'' is a pe ...
'':
rauwolscine
Rauwolscine, also known as isoyohimbine, α-yohimbine, and corynanthidine, is an alkaloid found in various species within the genera ''Rauvolfia'' and ''Corynanthe'' (including ''Pausinystalia''). It is a stereoisomer of yohimbine. Rauwolscine is ...
** ''
Yohimbe
''Corynanthe johimbe'', synonym ''Pausinystalia johimbe'', common name yohimbe, is a plant species in the family Rubiaceae native to western and central Africa (Nigeria, Cabinda, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea). Extract ...
'':
yohimbine
Yohimbine (), also known as quebrachine, is an indole alkaloid derived from the bark of the African tree '' Pausinystalia johimbe''; also from the bark of the unrelated South American tree ''Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco''. Yohimbine is an α2 ...
, corynantheidine
**
Kanna:
mesembrine
Mesembrine is an alkaloid present in ''Sceletium tortuosum'' (kanna). It has been shown to act as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (Ki = 1.4 nM), and more recently, has also been found to behave as a weak inhibitor of the enzyme phosp ...
and
mesembrenone
** ''
Glaucium flavum
''Glaucium flavum'', the yellow horned poppy, yellow hornpoppy or sea poppy, is a summer flowering plant in the family Papaveraceae. It is native to Europe, Northern Africa, Macaronesia and temperate zones in Western Asia. The plant grows on th ...
'' (yellow horned poppy, yellow hornpoppy or sea poppy):
glaucine
**
California poppies:
protopine
Protopine is an alkaloid occurring in opium poppy, ''Corydalis'' tubers and other plants of the family papaveraceae, like ''Fumaria officinalis''. Protopine is metabolically derived from the benzylisoquinoline alkaloid ''(S)''- Reticuline through ...
Fungi
*
Psilocybin mushrooms
Psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, are a polyphyletic informal group of fungi that contain psilocybin which turns into psilocin upon ingestion. Biological genera containing psilocybin mushrooms include ''Psilocybe'', ''Pa ...
:
psilocybin
Psilocybin ( , ) is a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200 species of fungi. The most potent are members of the genus ''Psilocybe'', such as '' P. azurescens'', '' P. semilanceata'', and '' P.&nbs ...
,
psilocin
Psilocin (also known as 4-HO-DMT, 4-hydroxy DMT, psilocine, psilocyn, or psilotsin) is a substituted tryptamine alkaloid and a serotonergic psychedelic substance. It is present in most psychedelic mushrooms together with its phosphorylated cou ...
,
aeruginascin
Aeruginascin or ''N,N,N''-trimethyl-4-phosphoryloxytryptamine is an indoleamine derivative which occurs naturally within the mushroom '' Inocybe aeruginascens'' and '' Pholiotina cyanopus''. Aeruginascin is the ''N''-trimethyl analogue of psiloc ...
,
baeocystin
Baeocystin is a zwitterionic alkaloid and analog of psilocybin. It is found as a minor compound in most psilocybin mushrooms together with psilocybin, norbaeocystin, aeruginascin, and psilocin. Baeocystin is an ''N''-demethylated derivative of p ...
, and
norbaeocystin
Norbaeocystin is a psilocybin mushroom alkaloid and analog of psilocybin. It is found as a minor compound in most psilocybin mushrooms together with psilocin, psilocybin, aeruginascin, and baeocystin, from which it is a derivative.
Norbaeocystin ...
* ''
Amanita muscaria'':
ibotenic acid
Ibotenic acid or (''S'')-2-amino-2-(3-hydroxyisoxazol-5-yl)acetic acid, also referred to as ibotenate, is a chemical compound and psychoactive drug which occurs naturally in ''Amanita muscaria'' and related species of mushrooms typically found i ...
,
muscimol
Muscimol (also known as agarin or pantherine) is one of the principal psychoactive constituents of '' Amanita muscaria'' and related species of mushroom. Muscimol is a potent and selective orthosteric agonist for the GABAA receptors and displa ...
, and
muscarine
Muscarine, L-(+)-muscarine, or muscarin is a natural product found in certain mushrooms, particularly in '' Inocybe'' and '' Clitocybe'' species, such as the deadly '' C. dealbata''. Mushrooms in the genera '' Entoloma'' and ''Mycena'' have ...
* ''
Dictyonema huaorani'': psilocybin,
DMT, and
5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-''N'',''N''-dimethyltryptamine) or O-methyl-bufotenin is a psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It is found in a wide variety of plant species, and also is secreted by the glands of at least one toad species, the Colorado R ...
* ''
Collybia maculata'': collybolide
Animals
*
Colorado River toad
The Colorado River toad (''Incilius alvarius''), formerly known as the Sonoran Desert toad, is found in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It exudes toxins from glands within its skin that have psychoactive properties.
Descript ...
(Sonoran Desert toad or ''Bufo alvarius''):
5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-''N'',''N''-dimethyltryptamine) or O-methyl-bufotenin is a psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It is found in a wide variety of plant species, and also is secreted by the glands of at least one toad species, the Colorado R ...
and
bufotenin
Bufotenin (5-HO-DMT, bufotenine) is a tryptamine derivative - more specifically, a DMT derivative - related to the neurotransmitter serotonin. It is an alkaloid found in some species of toads (especially the skin), mushrooms and plants.
...
*
Asiatic toad
The Asiatic toad or Chusan Island toad (''Bufo gargarizans'') is a species of toad endemic to East Asia. The species was previously classified as ''Bufo bufo gargarizans'', a subspecies of the common toad.
Distribution and habitat
It is comm ...
and certain
tree frogs (''
Osteocephalus taurinus'', ''
Osteocephalus oophagus'', and ''
Osteocephalus langsdorfii''): bufotenin
* Tree frogs belonging to the genus ''
Phyllomedusa
''Phyllomedusa'' is a genus of tree frogs in the subfamily Phyllomedusinae found in tropical and subtropical South America (south to northern Argentina) and Panama. It has 16 recognised species.
Taxonomy
The following species are recognised i ...
'', notably
''P. bicolor'':
opioid peptide
Opioid peptides are peptides that bind to opioid receptors in the brain; opiates and opioids mimic the effect of these peptides. Such peptides may be produced by the body itself, for example endorphins. The effects of these peptides vary, but t ...
s, including
deltorphin
Deltorphin, also known as deltorphin A and dermenkephalin, is a natural product, naturally occurring, exogenous opioid peptide, opioid heptapeptide and thus, exorphin, with the amino acid sequence Tyr-D-Met-Phe-His-Leu-Met-Asp-NH2. Along with the ...
,
deltorphin I
Deltorphin I, also known as D-Ala2.html" ;"title="small>D-Ala2">small>D-Ala2eltorphin I or deltorphin C, is a naturally occurring, exogenous opioid heptapeptide and hence, exorphin, with the amino acid sequence Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Asp-Val-Val-Gly-NH2. ...
, deltorphin II, and
dermorphin
Dermorphin is a hepta-peptide first isolated from the skin of South American frogs belonging to the genus ''Phyllomedusa''. The peptide is a natural opioid that binds as an agonist with high potency and selectivity to mu Opioid receptors. Dermorp ...
*
Hallucinogenic fish
Several species of fish are claimed to produce hallucinogenic effects when consumed. For example, ''Sarpa salpa'', a species of sea bream, is commonly claimed to be hallucinogenic. These widely distributed coastal fish are normally found in t ...
*
Sea sponges
Sponges, the members of the phylum Porifera (; meaning 'pore bearer'), are a basal animal clade as a sister of the diploblasts. They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through ...
containing
DMT analogs:
**''
Smenospongia aurea
''Smenospongia aurea'' is a species of sea sponge found in the Caribbean in the class (biology), class Demospongiae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1875 by Alpheus Hyatt, as ''Aplysina aurea''.
See also
*''Smen ...
'': 5-Bromo-DMT
[{{cite web , url = https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/znqdve/sea-dmt-000481-v20n3 , vauthors = Morris H, Wallach J , date = 2013-03-26 , title = Sea DMT , publisher = Vice Magazine , access-date = 2019-01-05 , url-status = live , df = dmy-all ]
**''
Smenospongia echina
''Smenospongia echina'' is a species of sea sponge in the class Demospongiae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1934 by Max Walker de Laubenfels, as ''Polyfibrospongia echina''.Laubenfels, M.W. de. (1934). New spon ...
'': 5,6-Dibromo-DMT''
''
**''
Verongula rigida
''Verongula rigida'' is a sponge species in the class Demospongiae. The scientific name of the species was first validly published in 1794 by Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper, as ''Spongia rigida''.
See also
*5-Bromo-DMT
* 5-6-Dibromo-DMT
*Halluc ...
'': 5-Bromo-DMT, 5,6-Dibromo-DMT, et al.
**''
Eudistoma fragum'': 5-Bromo-DMT
**''
Paramuricea clavata'': DMT, NMT
**''
Villogorgia rubra'': NMT
See also
*
List of psychoactive substances and precursor chemicals derived from genetically modified organisms
*
List of substances used in rituals
*
Entheogenic drugs and the archaeological record
*
List of plants used for smoking
*
Medicinal fungi
Medicinal fungi are fungi that contain metabolites or can be induced to produce metabolites through biotechnology to develop prescription drugs. Compounds successfully developed into drugs or under research include antibiotics, anti-cancer dru ...
References
Biological sources of psychoactive drugs
Psychoactive
Lists of fungi
Psychoactive