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There are many plants that can have a hallucinogenic effect on humans when parts of them are eaten or otherwise prepared. Most of these psychoactive plants are also poisonous at the same time.
In a nutshell
- most of the psychoactive plants are highly toxic and should therefore be consumed with caution
- a psychoactive plant was often used by herbalists in the Middle Ages, who were called witches because of the hallucinogenic effect
- many of the psychoactive plants are very popular in semi-natural and cottage gardens as they attract many bumblebees, bees and other insects
- there are many plants that are called hallucinogenic, yet they all come from different plant families
Poisonous psychoactive plants
Many of the plants that possess a hallucinogen are also poisonous at the same time. For some, even a small amount is enough to become dangerous. The list shows the plants that are often used for intoxication, but are also poisonous. Therefore, they should neither be eaten pure nor prepared.
Types from A - G
Asian pokeweed (Phytolacca acinosa)
- Pokeweed family (Phytolaccaceae)
- Seeds and roots are poisonous
- Seed is considered a snail remedy
- Root is used as an intoxicant
- Leaves non-toxic and can be consumed
- small white flowers
- herbaceous bushy plant
- up to a meter high
Farmer's Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica)
- Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
- Plant comes from the Amazon region
- is used here for healing
- very high nicotine content in the leaves
- can lead to poisoning or even death
- herbaceous plant
- up to a meter high
- covered with glandular, sticky trichomes
- inconspicuous yellow flowers on panicles
Notice: Farmer's tobacco is not the cultivated tobacco that is used to make cigarettes.
Betel nut palm (Areca catechu)
Areca palm, betel nut palm, Areca catechu
- Palm family (Arecaceae)
- contains arecoline
- stimulating effect
- similar to that of alcohol
- dangerous in high doses
- in Taiwan, betel nuts are sold on the street
- are gladly chewed
- important symbol for marriage in Vietnam
- Feather palm up to 25 meters high
- Leaves up to two meters long
Monkshood (Aconitum lycoctonum)
Source: Pmau, Aconitum lycoctonum, Les Amburnex - img 26044, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Buttercup family (Ranunculaceae)
- Latin name means wolf slayer
- intoxicating plant
- contains diterpene alkaloids
- Seeds were used by herbalists in the Middle Ages
- visual flight is hallucinated
- grows between 50 cm and 1.50 m high
- light yellow flowers
- very popular with bumblebees
Notice: The tradition of the flying witches probably comes from the yellow monkshood.
Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum)
- Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
- contains scopolamine and hyoscyamine
- formerly narcotic and aphrodisiac
- Symptoms of poisoning are similar to those of a deadly nightshade
- vigorous, herbaceous psychoactive plant
- violet calyx flowers
Notice: As soon as symptoms of poisoning appear after ingesting parts of plants that are hallucinogenic, the emergency call should be dialed immediately.
Poison Lettuce (Lactuca virosa)
Source: T.Voekler, Lactúca virōsa 4690, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- daisy family (Asteraceae)
- semi-legal drug
- can relieve pain
- slightly calming
- dried milky juice is used
- leaves are also made into tea
- herbaceous plant
- up to two meters high
- yellow, inconspicuous flowers
- Roots smell bad
Types of H - S
hemp (cannabis)
- Hemp family (Cannabaceae)
- oldest crop on earth
- important supplier of raw materials
- ropes from the fibers
- oil from the stems
- Ingredient cannabidiol (CBD) pain reliever
- only (THC) tetrahydrocannabinol is intoxicating
- herbaceous plant
- different growth heights
- palmate leaves
Notice: It is forbidden to cultivate hemp, even if it is only used for ornamental purposes. The plant is highly hallucinogenic if the active ingredient THC is not filtered out. Anyone who does not comply with the ban must expect severe penalties.
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum)
- Poppy family (Papaveraceae)
- somnifer means sleep-bringing
- morphine milky juice
- from this opium is made
- Seeds are used in cooking and baking
- smell pleasantly nutty
- herbaceous plant
- up to 1.5 meters high
- pink or purple flowers
Notice: According to the Narcotics Act, the cultivation of opium poppies as an ornamental plant in your own garden requires a permit.
Mock myrtle (Anamirta cocculus)
Source: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, Anamirta cocculus (L.) Wight & Arn. (33242076845), edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Moonseed family (Menispermaceae)
- Occurrence in Asia
- psychoactive plant
- various alkaloids in roots and stem
- Fruits have an anesthetic effect
- were used in fishing
- twining, woody liana
- Cultivation here only in the subtropical greenhouse
Tip: If you are unsure whether you have ingested a psychoactive plant that is also poisonous, you can call the Poison Control Center who can provide valuable leads.
Marsh Tear (Ledum palustre)
- Heather family (Ericaceae)
- Leaves were used for brewing beer
- intoxicating effect
- can cause aggression
- Symptoms of poisoning are known
- do not lead to death
- Ingredients Palustrol and Ledol
- umbel-like flowers
- pink to white
- Shrub reaches up to 1.5 meters in height
Black Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hyoscyamus_niger#/media/File:Atlas_roslin_pl_Lulek_czarny_8318_7171.jpg.webp
- Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
- also called witch weed
- Ingredients Hyoscyamine and Scopolamine
- Seeds cause hallucinations and confusion
- herbaceous growth
- up to 60 centimeters high
- dirty white flower with violet veins
Notice: Until the 17th century, the brewed beer was enriched with henbane seeds. So the intoxicating effect was increased. This was later banned by the Bavarian Purity Law.
Types of T - Z
Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Black deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna
- Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
- popular in cottage gardens
- Atropine has a pupil dilating effect
- delusional states at higher doses
- was probably also used by herbalists in the Middle Ages
- hence suspicion of witches results
- herbaceous plant
- up to two meters high
- Fruit resembles black, small tomato
- taste bitter
Notice: Greek "Atropos" is the goddess of fate who cuts the thread of life.
Turkish poppy (Papaver orientale)
Turkish poppy, Papaver orientale
- Poppy family (Papaveraceae)
- also known as garden poppies
- resembles the medicinal poppy seed, is smaller
- does not contain any morphine
- Oripavine and thebaine in milky juice
- Codeine can be made from this
- herbaceous plant
- up to a meter high
- orange to deep red flowers
Virginia tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)
Source: Magnus Manske, P1000485 Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) (Solanaceae) Plant, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nightshade family (Solanaceae)
- also known as tobacco
- main ingredient nicotine
- economically important tobacco species
- pink flowers on racemes
- Plant up to three meters high
Non-toxic hallucinogenic plants
Among the many different types of plants, there are definitely some that have a hallucinogenic effect, but are not poisonous and could therefore be dangerous for us humans. However, these species are few and far between, the list is short here.
Kinds of A - R
Medicinal poppy (Papaver bracteatum)
- Poppy family (Papaveraceae)
- Morphine must be obtained industrially
- in contrast to the morphine from the opium poppy
- Cultivation is subject to approval
- Permitted to be used as an ornamental plant
- deep red flowers
- herbaceous plant
- can grow up to 1.20 meters high
Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)
- Hydrangea family (Hydrangeaceae)
- young flowers and shoots used as an intoxicant
- are dried and smoked
- similar effect as marijuana (from hemp)
- popular plant in cottage gardens
- subshrub
- deciduous
- thick, umbrella-shaped inflorescences
- many different colors
Notice: Only in recent years have young people discovered that the hydrangea is hallucinogenic and therefore has an intoxicating effect.
Sweet flag (Acorus calamus)
- Calamus family
- Hallucinogen is in the roots
- has a mood-enhancing effect
- larger dose mild hallucinations
- appetizing
- therefore often also in bitters
- Also known as "German ginger".
- traditional in Asian medicine
- inconspicuous flowers
- reddish cobs four to ten centimeters long
Tip: A non-toxic tincture of the sweet flag plant as a psychoactive plant is contained in Coca-Cola.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)
Nepeta cataria
- Mint family (Lamiaceae)
- Cats are attracted to the smell
- contains actinidin
- has a calming effect
- pale blue to white flowers
- Plant up to a meter tall
Types from S - Z
Common reed (Phragmites australis)
Source: AnRo0002, 20221006Phragmites australis1, edited from Plantopedia, CC0 1.0
- Grass family (Poaceae)
- psychoactive plant
- Baeocystin and Bufotenin in the rootstock
- are hallucinogenic when ingested
- has rhizomes
- forms ears of corn
- a reed up to four meters high
Notice: Actually, reeds are better known for their properties as a good building material than as a psychoactive plant.
morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
- Convolvulaceae family
- also called purple morning glory
- Seeds are soaked in water
- states of intoxication can be achieved by emulsion
- 200 to 300 seeds same effect as 300 mg LSD
- purple, red or pink flowers
- Plant up to two meters high
- also grows on paths and roadsides
frequently asked Questions
Can I cultivate a psychoactive plant in my garden?In contrast to hemp plants, it is not forbidden to cultivate most of the plants presented here in your own garden. On the contrary, most are popular plants for a colorful cottage garden.
How dangerous are the plants if I cultivate them in the?It is important that you know the effect of putting parts of a plant that is hallucinogenic and also poisonous in your mouth. You should therefore refrain from cultivating such plants in the garden if there are small children in the household, possibly also young people and pets who would be able to access the plants freely.
Why is a psychoactive plant often also poisonous?This is because the thresholds from an intoxicating dose are very close to toxic doses, and these can quickly merge. Hallucinations are quickly replaced by comatose states and unconsciousness.