A lot of people get high on “herbal” substances (not that I encourage or support it). I get a kick out of green tea (hah! And you thought it was that kind of high!), just like some people get that “high” feeling from eating their favorite…fruit (what’s yours? Mine’s melon)
On the course of getting my natural high, I got interested with the green side of nature, and discovered plants whose effects are even worse than smoking that joint you bought… and the effects aren’t just about getting high…
Peyote Cactus
That harmless looking stump of a cactus? We all know it hurts to touch because of its thorns, but did you know a certain cacti is “popular” for its psychoactive alkaloids?(it’s being sold online as you read this). Under the influence of the Lophophora williamsi, better known as the Peyote Cactus or the Divine Cactus, Ken Kesey was “inspired” to write “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.” The Peyote, a cactus native to Mexico, contains Mescaline - around 1 - 6% of the plant’s weight - and causes hallucinations, and has a history of being used for religious ceremonies by a few indigenous Americans, as well as other medicinal uses. When taken, effects are similar to LSD, although the effect is longer (something like 12 hours), and more physical. The Peyote has been written into movies (Zoolander), TV Shows(Simpsons), and songs. Now don’t go planting this on your backyard as it is only allowed by law to be propagated for religious activities.
Angel’s Trumpet
They just had to name it as such. The Angel’s Trumpet or the Brugmansia is a shrub or small tree that produces trumpet-shaped flowers known to mess with a person’s head in even the tiniest amounts. Reports of people going blind for several days after ingestion, or getting into a state of agitation or hallucination for a looong time is common. Kids, don’t even try getting your hands on this plant.
Marula
The Marula tree(Sclerocarya birrea) is where they got the Amarula drink, a popular African liquer. In 1974, the movie Animals are Beautiful People was released where animals such as elephants & monkeys got smashed from eating fermented marula fruit. Although this was refuted later on, it was such a comical image of animals getting drunk from the fruit - serves them right said the tree! (see video below)
Nature is indeed full of surprises. Who would have thought those innocent looking plants can have such intoxicating effects?
One Comment, Comment or Ping
don
Nicely done post. Who would have thought that such simple plants could offer such complex reactions?
Jul 30th, 2008
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