Category: Ethnobotany

Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have used psychoactive substances for millennia, with some of the earliest examples dating back over 8,000 years. Pinpointing exactly what is the oldest psychedelic drug is a complex task, with several powerful contenders vying for the title based on ancient plant remains, artwork, and historical texts.

Dried coca leaves contain approximately 0.6% cocaine, the principal alkaloid responsible for their well-known numbing effect [1.3.1]. For centuries, Andean cultures have chewed coca leaves, and a primary question for many is: **do coca leaves numb the mouth?** The answer lies in their complex pharmacology.

Calea zacatechichi, a plant used by the Chontal people of Mexico for obtaining divinatory messages during dreams, has gained modern attention for its oneirogenic properties [1.4.3, 1.2.2]. But what are the side effects of the dream herb?

An estimated 10-20% of the world's population chews betel nut, making it the fourth most used psychoactive substance after caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine [1.4.4, 1.14.1]. While both are chewed stimulants, the answer to 'Is khat the same as betel nut?' is no; they are entirely different plants with unique effects and risks.

Yes, certain species of the *Mimosa* plant, most notably *Mimosa tenuiflora* (also known as *Mimosa hostilis*), contain the psychoactive compound N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT concentrations are particularly high in the plant's root bark, and its presence is what gives the plant its psychoactive properties.

Historically, various plants referred to as “white lily” have been used in traditional medicine across different cultures, but the term does not refer to a single, modern pharmaceutical drug. From Mayan rituals using water lilies with psychoactive properties to European folk remedies involving the Madonna lily, the history behind the idea of a 'white lily drug' is complex and refers to several distinct plant species with different effects.

The Xhosa people of South Africa have used a sacred plant root for centuries to induce vivid, often prophetic, dreams as part of spiritual rituals. This substance, known colloquially as the African dream drug, is derived from the root of a perennial herb botanically identified as *Silene capensis* or *Silene undulata*.

Historically, over 100 different plant species were used in traditional North American smoking mixtures [1.4.3]. Among the most famous is Kinnikinnick (*Arctostaphylos uva-ursi*), leading to the question: Is kinnikinnick a hallucinogenic, or does its reputation lie elsewhere?

As far back as 1576, nutmeg has been documented for its intoxicating effects [1.3.5]. Many common pantry items contain compounds that can alter mood and perception, raising the question: what spices are psychoactive and what are their effects?

For millennia, indigenous tribes in the Upper Amazon have utilized a potent brew for healing and spiritual exploration [1.2.1]. The question of 'What drug is called grandmother?' most directly refers to Ayahuasca, a powerful psychedelic plant medicine revered in these cultures [1.2.1, 1.2.6].