[Emergent drugs (III): hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms].

Consumption of hallucinogenic plants is rising. Salvia divinorum produces rapid, short-lived dissociative and hallucinogenic effects via kappa receptor agonism. Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) has stimulant effects at low doses and sedative, opiate-like effects at high doses; several deaths have been linked to its use. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, especially psilocybes containing tryptamines similar to LSD, are increasingly offered online. Peyote, a cactus with mescaline, causes multisensory hallucinations and is used in Native American religious ceremonies. Daturas induce anticholinergic delirium and hallucinations due to atropine and scopolamine. Other psychoactive plants include ayahuasca, Ololiuqui, Morning Glory, Hawaiian Baby Woodrose, Syrian Rue, and Iboga Rootbark.

Study at a glance

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).