9 psychoactive & hallucinogenic plants in the garden

Psychoactive and hallucinogenic plants often come from exotic countries, but these can also be found in the home garden. Many of the plants have been used by humans since ancient times to achieve an intoxicating effect. However, since some of the plants contain strong toxins, consumption is often dangerous and can have serious consequences. Even small amounts can lead to a fatal overdose.

Editor's note

We strongly advise against consuming the plants mentioned here (or even just components) in a self-experiment. Please leave the processing of these plants into medicines and remedies to the professionals. In all areas where parts of the plants are processed, people work (mostly even under laboratory conditions) with many years of training and a great deal of background knowledge to make something useful out of the poisons.

Note: In the event of symptoms of poisoning, contact the poison control center immediately and call the emergency number.

Psychoactive & hallucinogenic plants

To the surprise of many hobby gardeners, many psychoactive and hallucinogenic plants grow in their own gardens. Since many of the plants are very dangerous, consumption is generally not recommended. If you are mentally unstable, you should by no means start experimenting with it. In most cases it is very difficult to estimate the quantities in which the active ingredients are contained in the plants. Depending on the location and other conditions, there can be considerable fluctuations in the active ingredients. Therefore, uncontrolled ingestion can lead to overdosing, which can even be life-threatening. For thousands of years people have been experimenting with plants that are known for their intoxicating effects. The various parts of the plant are either prepared simply or laboriously and then consumed. The goal is the intoxicating effect on the psyche and change of the state of consciousness.

Are referred to as natural drugs
Leaves are used either as tea or tobacco
Berries often taste unpleasant
Therefore eat in combination with food
Can have stimulating or calming effects
Ingestion often leads to violent reactions
Dry mouth and dilated pupils are typical
Consumption leads to an increase in heart rate up to a racing pulse
Other symptoms are sensitivity to light and visual disturbances
Continuous use can even lead to blindness
In extreme cases, cause fatal respiratory paralysis

Henbane

Henbane - Hyoscyamus niger The henbane carries the

botanical name Hyoscyamus niger and has spread widely in Europe and Germany. The plant has been known for its intoxicating effects since ancient times. In the Middle Ages, the plant was closely linked to the superstition surrounding the witch craze, as it was used for rituals. For ingestion, extracts are obtained from the plants, which are also used in medicine. However, the limits of an intoxicating to toxic dose are close together. For this reason, severe poisoning with fatal consequences can occur extremely quickly. Because of the alkaloids it contains, henbane is used in combination preparations for complaints in the muscles and in the respiratory tract, as well as the urinary and Digestive tract. In addition, the oil extract is used externally to rub in rheumatic pain in the joints.

The plant can reach heights of 1-2 meters
Recognizable by sticky, hairy leaves
Forms yellowish flowers
Settles itself wildly at the rubble site, the roadside and in the garden
Belongs to the highly poisonous plants
Has both psychoactive and hallucinogenic effects
Contains atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine
Dilates the pupils and relieves cramps
Has a stimulating effect in small doses
In larger doses, the herb has a soporific effect
Paralyzes the central nervous system in the event of an overdose
Even 5 milligrams of the alkaloids are too much
First there is restlessness, then confusion
Then, after a deep sleep, death occurs

Hints: Even today, henbane is said to have a reputation as a witch plant, so the herb is still used for self-experiments. However, due to the harmful effects on health, it is not recommended.

Tumbling Lolch

Taumel-Lolch, Lolium temulentum, intoxicating grass, vertigo wheat, dead barley, dead grain Taumel-Lolch is called in botany Lolium temulentum and originally comes from the Middle East. In the meantime, the grass has spread due to its robust properties in Germany and the rest of the world, as it can even grow on deserted land. Therefore it can also happen that the psychoactive plant settles in the home garden. Taumel-Lolch distorts the perception and leads to very strong changes in perception. However, it is not advisable to consume it, as even a small dose can lead to unpleasant effects and disturbances in movement coordination. It is true that a fatal outcome after consumption is rare, but the physical disturbances are extremely severe and can in an emergency

even last for several days.

Green to blue-green grass with long ears
Stiff stalks stand upright and feel very rough
Reaches maximum heights of 75 cm to 100 cm
Often grows on grain fields and roadsides
Contains the psychoactive ingredient Temulin
Is manifested by greatly dilated pupils
Causes drunkenness, staggering and confusion after consumption
Leads to vomiting, convulsions and tremors
May cause headaches, blurred vision and day blindness
In the worst case, it paralyzes the airways

Tip: In folk medicine, Taumel-Lolch is used as a homeopathic remedy, both for calming and for gout and rheumatism.

Deadly nightshade

Deadly nightshade - Atropa belladonna The deadly nightshade has the botanical name Atropa belladonna and belongs to the nightshade family. The plant is widespread in Germany and also grows in many a garden. The plant has been used for mind-expanding ointments and tinctures since the Middle Ages. Nowadays the deadly nightshade is listed as belladonna in homeopathy and for various Used mainly to treat problems with the respiratory tract and in the stomach, intestines, bladder and bile cure. However, since even small amounts can lead to fatal consequences, private consumption is not recommended.

Belongs to the perennial plants
Can grow up to 2 meters tall
Recognizable by glossy black berries
Is rich in hallucinogenic alkaloids in all parts of the plant
After ingestion, the pupils dilate extremely
Face turns very red and voice rough
Even small doses are harmful
Vomiting, states of excitement and palpitations occur
Overdosing leads to unconsciousness
In extreme cases, death from respiratory paralysis occurs

Hydrangeas

Hydrangea - Hydrangea arborescens The is also widespread in the local gardens hydrangeawhich in botany as Hydrangea arborescens is known. Both the young shoots of the hydrangeas and the flowers and leaves cause a hallucinogenic intoxication. This is why these parts of the plant are often consumed by smoking instead of hashish and marijuana.

Distinctive ornamental shrub with upright growth
Blooms in many colors
Contains hydrangin, hydrangingenol and saponins
Hydrocyanic acid compounds are also included
Ingredients are released when smoking
Consumption can be very dangerous

Angel trumpet

Angel's Trumpet - Brugmansia The angel's trumpet bears the botanical name Datura suaveolens, due to its magnificent growth, the plant is often referred to as the trumpet tree. Thanks to its attractive appearance, the plant has become very popular in this country, especially as a container plant. Especially the leaves of the angel's trumpet are used as an intoxicant and mixed and smoked together with cannabis.

Recognizable by trumpet-shaped and hanging flowers
Flower color varies between yellow, orange, pink and white
Forms large and rough leaves
All parts of the plant above ground contain hallucinogenic alkaloids
Can be smoked or consumed as tea
Smoking causes mild hallucinogenic phenomena
When ingested orally, visions similar to fever appear

Thorn apple

Thorn apple - Datura Thorn apple bears the botanical name Datura Stramonium and belongs to the nightshade family. Originally comes the

Plant in Asia and North America, but it has also spread in Germany. In many cultures the leaves are smoked to get intoxicated. In addition, various parts of the plant and seeds are pressed into the brew or boiled as tea. However, due to its highly toxic properties, consumption can be very dangerous. Since the plant also has healing powers, it was used medicinally against asthma and nervousness in the past. Since the toxicity is greater than the healing power, the apple is no longer used in medicine.

Recognizable by the large, funnel-shaped flowers
Bright white or violet blue flower color
Forms prickly fruit capsules
Occasionally grows wild on meadows or along roadsides
Contains hallucinogenic alkaloids
Has a strong mesmerizing effect
Duration of action can last up to 36 hours
Crazy dreams come up
However, the user is not really asleep
Has a stimulating effect on the heartbeat and digestion
Promotes saliva secretion
Greatly dilates the pupils

Catnip

Catnip - Nepeta catana The real catnip is called in botany Nepeta cataria and is a native plant with psychoactive properties. The name came about because cats like to get intoxicated with it. The plant can be found all over Central Europe and often grows wild on paths and roadsides. Since the effects are very slight, consumption is harmless. Because of its attractive appearance, catnip is often planted in stone and natural gardens.

Distinctive perennial with blue-violet flowers
Often grows wild in hedges
Has a mildly stimulating effect
With larger doses, it is more calming and sedative
There are no serious side effects
Herb must be consumed regularly for psychedelic effects
It takes a few days to take effect
Either drink it as tea or smoke it

Poison lettuce

Poison lettuce - Lactuca virosa, smelly lettuce and wild lettuce The poison lettuce bears the botanical name Lactuca virosa and is also known in this country as white lettuce and wild lettuce. The native plant originally comes from southern Europe and has spread from there to many other countries. The plant has been used as a natural sedative and aphrodisiacs for thousands of years. Both the leaves and the milky sap, the so-called lactucarium, are used. The plant is often found on heavily overgrown roadsides and meadows.

Can reach heights of between 60 cm and 2.5 m
White and milky juice comes out of injured areas
With a mild dose sedative and analgesic effect
Too high doses lead to symptoms of intoxication
These include severe headaches and a racing heart
Uncontrolled sweats occur
In wild plants, the active ingredient content is difficult to estimate

Common mugwort

Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris The mugwort is called in botany Artemisia vulgaris and belongs to the psychoactive plants with a long tradition. The plant occurs almost all over the world and has also established itself in Germany. The reason for the psychoactive effects are the essential oils contained in mugwort, which can vary greatly in their active ingredient content depending on the location.