Erowid Note: This FAQ was not authored by Erowid. It may include out-of-date and/or incorrect information. Please check the version date to see when it was most recently revised. It appears on Erowid as part of our historical archives. For current information, see Erowid's summary pages in the substance's main vault.

[Erowid Note: The section of the FAQ on MAO Inhibitors contains some inaccuracies. For more complete information about MAOIs, read Erowid's MAOI Vault and seek other sources.]

sedatives

tranquilizers

antihistamines

alcohol

amphetamines (even diet pills)

mescaline

asarone

nutmeg

macromerine ephedrine

dill oil

parsley oil

wild fennel oil

cocoa

coffee (or any substance that contains large amounts of caffeine)

aged cheeses

any tyrosine-containing food

any other MAO inhibitor

Family: Agaricaceae Genus: Psilocybe Species: baeocystis (Potent Psilocybe) caerulipes (Blue Foot Psilocybe) coprophila (Dung-loving Psilocybe) cubensis (Common Large Psilocybe) cyanescens (Bluing Psilocybe) pelliculosa (Conifer Psilocybe) semilanceata (Liberty Cap) stunzii (Stunz's Blue Legs)

~From: honig@wave.ics.uci.edu (David A. Honig) ~Subject: Re: mail order botanicals ~Date: 11 Nov 91 22:00:34 GMT Organization: UC Irvine Department of ICS In article <1991Nov11.074643.2650@muddcs.claremont.edu> ebrandt@jarthur.claremont.edu (Eli Brandt) writes: >>anyone know the legality of fly agaric? anyone have any experience with >>it? > >I'm sure it's legal. _Merck's_ sez that neither ibotenic acid and muscarine >were "controlled substances" (what a *dumb* term) as of '76; was there maybe >a "Toadstool Regulation Act" I missed? Anyway, you could call it "soma" and >have a real good case for religious use... > >I don't know what the dose would be. The LD-50 iv in mice for muscarine is >0.23 mg/kg; ibotenic acid is (for mice/rats) 15/42 iv and 38/129 oral. I'd >be careful with anything with such a wide difference in toxicity between >fairly similar species. I vaguely recall that muscarine is only found in >the younger shrooms; it looks like you'd want to avoid them, unless it's >also responsible for most of the interesting effects. > >>ecni > > Eli ebrandt@jarthur.claremont.edu I obtained some dried Amanita via an unnamed source. They make you puke (what else is new) and go into a dreamy state. Not "psychedelic" or terribly euphoric. A friend (who is a botanist) has tried fresh ones, reports that they're better. IMHO, they're not worth your time unless your into ethnopsychopharmacology. -- David A. Honig

Family: Cactaceae



Genus: Gymnocalycium Species: gibbosum: Native to Argentina leeanum: Native to Argentina, Uruquay



Genus: Islaya Species: minor: Native to South Peru



Genus: Lophophora Species: diffusa (Peyote): Native to Mexico williamsii (Peyote, Mescal,Chaute etc.): the classic Peyote, grows in north central Mexico and south Texas.



Genus: Opuntia Species: imbricata: Native to S-W USA to Central Mexico. spinosior: Native to Arizona, New Mexico, Northern Mexico.



Genus: Pelecyphora Species: aselliformis (Peyotillo, Peyote meco): Native to San Luis Potosi, Mexico



Genus: Pereskia Species: corrugata tampicana: Native to Tampico, Mexico.



Genus: Pereskiopsis Species: scandens: Native to Yucatan, Mexico.



Genus: Stetsonia Species: coryne: Native to Northwestern Argentina.



Genus: Trichocereus Species: cuzcoensis: Native to Cuzco, Peru. fulvianus: Native to Chile. macrogonus: Native to South America. pachanoi (San Pedro, Giganton): Native to Peru, Equador. peruvianus (Peruvian Fence Post): Native to Peru. scopulicola taquimbalensis: Native to Bolivia. terscheckii (Cardon grande): Native to Northwestern Argentina. validus: Native to Bolivia. werdermannianus: Native to Tupiza & Charcoma, Bolivia. Description: Trichocerei are columnar, branched or candelabra like cacti, which usually grow very fast. Cereus is a different genus, whose members haven't been found to contain mescaline.





Have you ever killed anyone?

How many have you murdered?

Have you eaten the flesh of man?

Have you eaten peyote?



Botanical name mescaline other alkaloids Genus species Lophophora williamsii ~1% dry Ann,And,Ant,Annd,H,L,P,T Trichocereus peruvianus 0.8% dry T pachanoi 0.1% wet Annd,H,T bridgesii 0.1% wet T validus 0.1% wet macrogonus <0.05% wet T terschecki <0.05% wet Ann werdermann <0.05% wet T taquimbal <0.05% wet H cuzcoensis <0.01% wet T Stetsonia coryne <0.01% wet T Pelecyphora aselliformis 0.00002% And,H,P

Family: Compositae Genus: Lactuca Species: virosa

FROM THE NET: ~From: ppennane@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Petrus Pennanen) ~Subject: Re: lactucarium ~Date: 8 Jul 91 20:24:16 GMT Organization: University of Helsinki Ronald Siegel writes in _Intoxication_: "In each major category of intoxicant used by our species, there appear to be one or two drug plants that researchers have noted are more controllable, hence safer, than all the other plants or synthetics in that category. [...] Among the narcotics, which include opium and its derivatives, there is lactucarium, the smokable extract derived from Lactuca Virosa." "Consider the case of lactucarium, which never caught on as a modern opium substitute because either so mild or so inconsistent in quality that people thought it was a fake. Lactucarium smells like opium and tastes just as bitter. When smoked or swallowed, it is so mildly intoxicating it remains legal. There are no visions like the ones De Quincey had from eating opium, but the euphoria and dreamy intoxication last slightly longer. Although lactucarium is structurally unrelated to the opiates, it will still soothe irritating cough, ease minor pains, and help induce sleep, hence its more common name of 'lettuce opium.' The history of lettuce opium in America paralleled that of coca tea. Both drugs enjoyed widespread medical use in nineteenth century and brief periods of experimental nonmedical use in more recent years. In the mid-1970s, smokable extracts of lettuce opium were marketed throughout the United States under such brand names as L'Opium and Lettucene. 'Buy your lettuce before they make it illegal!' announced the national ads. Hundreds of thousands did exactly that when the craze peaked in the late 1970s. There was not a single case of toxicity or dependency. But there was a lot of competition as different manufacturers rushed to get a share of the new market. Most of these newer brands were made from ordinary garden lettuce, which lacked the intoxicating lactucarium. Subsequently, sales fell, some suppliers of real lactucarium went out of business, and the fad all but disappeared. While lactucarium is still available, heroin users are not rushing to buy it and probably never will: it's simply too weak." Petrus Pennanen ppennane@kruuna.helsinki.fi

Family: Convolvulaceae Genus: Argyreia Species: nervosa

Family: Convolvulaceae Genus: Ipomoea Species: arborescens (Quauhzahautl): tree grows to 15' high. Native to Mexico. carnea (fistolusa): bush with pink flowers native to Ecuador. costata: native to australia. leptophylia: wine colored flowers 3" across. Huge edible roots. meulleri: native to australia. murucoides: (Pajaro bobo) native to oaxca. purpurea: native to mexico, common throughout N. America as an ornamental. violacea (Tlitliltzin): sacred Mayan morning glory. Widely used for its psychoactive effects in the Heavenly blue, Pearly Gates, Flying Suacers and Wedding Bells strains.

thoroughly chew and swallow

grind and soak in water for 1/2 hour, strain and drink

sprout by soaking in water for 3-4 days (change water often), after which the white mushy part is removed from the shell and eaten. This is probably the best method for avoiding side effects, although I have I have reason to believe sprouting the seeds lessens their effectiveness.

Family: Acanthaceae Genus: Justicia Species: pectoralis (var. stenophylla)

Family: Leguminosae Genus: Mimosa Species: tenuiflora (== hostilis) "tepescohuite" verrucosa

Family: Malpighiaceae Genus: Banisteriopsis Species: rusbyana argentea

Family: Myristicaceae Genus: Virola Species: calophylla calophylloidea rufula sebifera theiodora

Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Psychotria Species: viridis (psychotriaefolia)

Family: Myristicaceae Genus: Myristica Species: fragrans

~From: goldsman@cc.gatech.edu (Michael G. Goldsman) ~Subject: Nutmeg Story ~Date: 11 Aug 91 23:56:07 GMT Organization: Georgia Institute of Technology Friday, a "friend" of mine decided to see what all the talk about nutmeg was all about... here's what happened... 8:15 -- "he" took 1 tablespoon of ground nutmeg... 9:15 -- "he" took 1 more tablespoon of ground nutmeg... 11:15 -- "he" took still 1 more tablespoon of ground nutmeg... As of now, "he" didn't feel anything... "He" got the beginnings of a buzz at about 12:30 which gradually increased in intensity... By 3 am or so, he compared it to moderate cannibis buzz It peaked at at 5 am, and he then went to sleep. The effects continued through saturday afternoon and night, though not as intense as late friday night (or saturday morning technically). By sunday morning, the effects were totally gone. The main point is, that except for lots of drowsiness, my "friend" never suffered any of the ill effects that people have described ... (such as nausea and headaches) It was very comprable to a medium marijuana buzz. There were no hallucinations, but maybe a larger dose is needed for this. Next week my "friend" will go for 5 tablespons over the course of a few hours.. Will he live to describe the experience?? ================================== ~From: jeffty@sco.COM (Jeffery Tye) ~Subject: Space paste! (was Re: nutmeg as a hallucinogen) ~Date: Sat, 29 Jun 91 01:59:09 GMT Organization: The Scantily Clad Orangutans, Inc. 'Space Paste' heart chakra, but it's a legal high that will get you pleasantly buzzed. :-) DON NOT OMIT ANY INGREDIENTS. Trust me. 4 parts nutmeg (ground from whole nutmeg) 4 parts almonds (soak almonds overnight and rinse) 4 parts *raw* pistachios 2 parts cinnamon 1 part cumin 1 part tarragon 1 part oregano 1 part basil 1 part tumeric 1/2 part cayenne pepper 1/2 part black pepper To taste: Maple Syrup One part equals 1/4 cup. [if you want to make enough for about 500 people, that is. Try 1 part=1 tablespoon--ed] - Use only whole nutmeg. Not pre-ground. - Grind up all ingredients with a spice grinder or food processor. - Mix in Maple syrup until consistency of paste. - Do not omit any ingredient, or it will NOT work. Okay, you've gone this far, time to enjoy. The strong at heart will spread some on toast. I like it blended in milk. It has a real strong taste, so it's best to put it in the milk, fire up the blender, pour it into a glass and chug it down in one gulp. Start with two tablespoons. Effects begin in two hours. I've known brave souls who take a cup at a time. Maybe that's why they disappear for a couple of days. ================================= ~Date: Wed, 2 Oct 91 09:57:26 MDT ~From: ~Subject: More on Nutmeg Story Begin forwarded message: Well, I am recovering from a horrible experience. Tuesday night about 10:30pm, I took 5 tablespoons of Nutmeg. I am still hungover, almost 2 days later. I got the initial stimulation, euphoria, but not much more than what one gets around 2 tablespoons. That was fine and dandy. I fell asleep at about 1:30am, with nothing psychedelic occurring yet. I woke up at 3 am spinning, like I was drunk. I awoke again at 9am, and got out of bed. I had to: thirsty as hell, no saliva. I had wicked troubles walking, far too dizzy and -out-of-it-. Just like I had no control over my body. Also, any movement that I did make nauseated me. By 9:30 I had my drink of water, and I collapsed on the kitchen floor, sleeping until noon. I thought that I would have something to eat, at that time, but was far too dizzy still to do anything. By this time I was in a panic, thinking that I had comitted suicide, etc.etc. My body felt like it was melding with the floor; I also felt that my whole body was made of vomit. Quite odd. I crawled (literally) up to bed again and slept like a stone until 6pm. I managed to eat some stuff. I could stand for 30 seconds at a time, by this time. I watched a movie, dozing on and off. I looked at myself in a mirror: horrible sight, very red sunken eyes etc.etc. Went to bed and awoke this morning at 11:30am. Awoke with something like a horrible hangover. I feel like I have had a wicked flu yesterday and today. Besides some odd physical sensations and perceptions, even this dosage was not overtly hallucinogenic. I did not experience any colour / visual perception changes this time, like at the lower dosage. Perhaps I was just too sleepy to notice. This experience was just downright gross. I think I have given up experimenting with Nutmeg (and Mace) [ even though I really like the taste of the stuff. Some people complain they can't get the stuff down --- they must not be using fresh stuff]. It was really an offputting experience. Tonight, I think I am just going to hunt down something illegal but safer.

Family: Rubiaceae Genus: Corynanthe Species: yohimbe





Interaction precautions: MAO inhibitor.



Active Constituents: Yohimbine, yohimbiline, ajmaline. (Note that yohimBE is the plant; yohimBINE is one of the chemical principles found in the plant.)



FROM THE NET:



~From: dyer@spdcc.COM (Steve Dyer) ~Subject: Re: Yohimbine bark ~Date: 18 Jul 91 02:17:32 GMT Organization: S.P. Dyer Computer Consulting, Cambridge MA Ecni Asked: >Anyone care to enlighten us yohimbine-illiterate readers what yohimbine >bark is and what it does? Yohimbine is the primary alkaloid found in yohimbine bark. It is an alpha-2-adrenergic antagonist. It blocks presynaptic inhibitory synapses, meaning that it tends to increase central and peripheral adrenergic activity. It tends to cause nervousness and increases blood pressure. It also seems to be effective in some cases of impotence. Steve Dyer dyer@ursa-major.spdcc.com aka {ima,harvard,rayssd,linus,m2c}!spdcc!dyer dyer@arktouros.mit.edu DATURA Family: Solanaceae Genus: Datura Species: fastuosa: large shrub with white flowers inoxia (Don Juan's Datura): native to mexico metel: native to India. sanguinea (Eagle Datura, Tonga): Native to S. America. stramonium (Jimson Weed): Dangerous hallucinogen widespread in temperate regions. Other species: tatula, brugmansia, candida, suaveolens, arborea, aurea, dolichocarpa, vulcanicola, discolor



Usage:

Leaves are sometimes smoked. Small amount of seed can be pulverized and added to drinks as in the Algonquin ritual.



Effects:

described as "delerium". Leaves are hallucinogenic and hypnotic. Seeds cause mental confusion and delirium followed by deep sleep with colorful hallucinations. Excessive amounts are toxic. May cause blacking out and severe headaches. Yaqui indian brujos say it causes insanity. THIS SUBSTANCE IS GENERALLY CONSIDERED DANGEROUS.



History:

discolor (Desert Thornapple): used by hopi shamans for divination.

inoxia: "Don Juan's Datura" is used in it's native mexico by Yaqui bruhos for divination

metel: Used by the Thuggee cult in it's native India to drug sacrificial victims to Kali.

sanguinea (Eagle Datura, Tonga): Used by Aztecs in the Temple of the Sun. Peruvian natives believe it allows them to communicate with departed souls.

stramonium (Jimson Weed): Dangerous hallucinogen widespread in temperate regions. Used by Algonquins in ritual drink called "Wysoccan" to introduce boys to manhood.



Active Constituents:

Scopolamine, atropine, hyoscyamine and other tropanes.



"Hyoscyamine and scopolamine possess specific anticholinergic, antispasmodic activity and elicit some central nervous effects as well. These effects usually consist of stimulation at low doses, depression in higher toxic doses. ... Intoxication with atropine or hyoscyamine is characterized by psychic excitation often combined with panic and hallucination. Scopolamine was found to produce a state of excitement followed by a kind of narcosis in which, in the transition state between consciousness and sleep, hallucinations sometimes occur (Heimann, 1952). These effects explain the addition of belladonna and other solanaceous plants as ingredients of magic brews in medieval Europe and of sacred medicines by the Indians of Mexico and South America."

(Schultes and Hofmann, 1980)



NOTE:

Family Solanaceae is the potato family (did you know potatoes have a lower LD50 than marijuana? It's true). Many members of this family contain tropanes and have a history of ritualistic use. Other commonly-used members are the Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum), Belladonna (a.k.a. deadly nightshade) (Atropa belladonna), Thornapple (Datura inoxia), Henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), and Iochroma. All these substances will be covered in more detail in a future version of this faq.



Kuthmithi (Withania somnifera) is one member of the Potato family that does not appear to contain active amounts of tropanes and is generally considered safe for use as a sedative.



FROM THE NET:



~From: geraldb@tau-ceti.isc-br.com (Gerald Bryan (Denver)) ~Subject: Re: Shrooms, Datura etc ~Date: 29 Aug 91 16:43:51 GMT In article <7cPg81w164w@sideways.welly.gen.nz> fiend@sideways.welly.gen.nz (Fie nd) writes: > How many people have lasting physical damage from Datura? I know one person who has used Datura. She was an experienced drug user at the time. She said it gave her tremendous visions, but it took her a year before she felt that her eyesight was back to normal. She only used it once. Two years ago, there was a story in the local paper about some college students in Boulder who walked buck naked into a police station, totally out of it. They had apparently consumed some datura (on purpose) up in the mountains. =============================== ~From: marsthom@coriolis.UUCP (marsthom) ~Subject: BADUNGA & MORNING GLORY SEEDS ~Date: 25 Sep 91 21:32:50 GMT Organization: Albedo Communications I ran across this citation while doing a computer search: ARDILA A; MORENO C Scopolamine intoxication as a model of transient global amnesia. Brain Cogn. 1991 Mar; 15(2): 236-45 In Colombia (South America) during recent decades the administration of scopolamine, extracted from plants belonging to the Datura or Brugmansia genus, has become an important neurologic and toxicologic phenomenon. These extracts have been popularly known as "Burundanga." Chemical characteristics and clinical features of scopolamine intoxication are described. Anterograde amnesia and submissive behavior found in patients intoxicated with scopolamine are analyzed. Burundanga intoxication is related to other toxic phenomena found in different countries and similitudes with transient global amnesia are emphasized. Datura seeds look like brownish hot-pepper or tomato seeds. They are flat or lens-like disks, about 1/8 inch in diameter, with an irregular bulge where the stem-scar is. The intoxication from Datura and other plants in that same group (the Nightshade family, "Solanaceae") is more of a delirium than a psychedelic experience. The intoxication resembles that of a strong dose of Mandrake tea, for instance. Other symptoms would be a dry mouth, a wierd floaty feeling, and muddled thinking. The active substances in Datura-like plants are also quite toxic and have been fatal on occasion. ----------------------------------- ~From: ebrandt@jarthur.claremont.edu (Eli Brandt) ~Subject: Re: datura seeds... ~Date: 30 Sep 91 21:41:48 GMT Organization: Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA 91711 _The_Botany_and_Chemistry_of_Hallucinogens_, Schultes and Hofmann, sez that: {\it Datura metel}'s seeds have a total alkaloid content of 0.2 to 0.5 percent, mostly scopolamine. More relevantly, D. inoxia is similar in alkaloid content to D. metel. You could look up the ED and LD for scopolamine and calculate the appropriate mass of seeds. You might want to assume the alkaloid content to be significantly higher than 0.5%, just to have a decent margin. Remember, the LD takes precedence over the ED. :-} I take no responsibility for any gruesome death which may be caused by the above information. Eli Brandt ebrandt@jarthur.claremont.edu