By Sandra Nomoto Adults around the world are learning about Ayahuasca (also known as yagé) and experiencing its effects. Ayahuasca is a brew made out of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and other ingredients such as the shrub chacruna/chacrona (Psychotria viridis), native to Amazon countries such as Peru. Annually, thousands of people visit the region to …
By Sandra Nomoto Tabernanthe iboga, commonly known as iboga, is a shrub native to western Central Africa that can grow up to 10 metres in ideal conditions. Though documentation exists from the 19th century by the Bwiti tribe of Gabon, it may have been used for thousands of years. Meaning “to care for” or “to …
By Sandra Nomoto Prehistoric art in Europe shows that psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as psychedelic/hallucinogenic mushrooms, magic mushrooms, or “shrooms,” may have been used thousands of years ago. In 1958, scientist Albert Hofmann discovered psilocybin and psilocin, the active compounds in the plant. The use of psychedelic drugs including psilocybin mushrooms followed in the 1960’s, …
Given the rise of psychedelic plant use by individuals for recreational benefit or medical relief, U.S. cities have moved to decriminalizing possession and use of the plants. Following a referendum on May 8, 2019, Denver became the first U.S. city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms for adults 21 and over. Though adult cannabis use has been …
Psychedelics can be associated with the experimental 1960/70s era or as the occasional party drug. But what exactly are psychedelics, and where are they derived in nature? Psychedelic substances can produce intensified sensory perception, perceptual distortion and/or hallucinations, and feelings of extreme euphoria, or despair. Betel nut (Areca catechu), cocaine (Erythroxylum coca), opium poppy (Papaver …
