Plants have been at the center of life as food, medicine and even guide for humanity since its birth. Plants that change perception are referred to as "psychotropes" in the literature. The first examples that come to mind are cannabis or opium, but coffee and tea are also included in this group.
These plants, which find a wide area in the medical field from painkillers to sedatives, have a much deeper role for indigenous peoples and sages.
It is believed that if some plants are used in the right conditions, they open doors between different dimensions, establish communication channels with divine beings such as gods and angels, and enable people to recognize their own soul. Peyote in South America, Iboga in Africa, and peyote in Asia are the best-known examples.
Apart from its spiritual dimension, highly prestigious institutions such as Johns Hopkins University and Imperial College are now establishing departments in the field of these plants. It is not surprising that modern science lags so far behind. The main reason for this is that the mass murders and rampant crime rates in the United States of the 1960s were addressed to psychotropic plants and their derivatives.
It is obvious that the use of psychotropic or psychoactive substances requires a wealth of knowledge and experience. While some pose a high risk of chemical dependence, some may be addicted as a mechanism for people to cope with this reality. However, it is obvious that they are one of nature's greatest miracles when used correctly. We know that geniuses like Carl Sagan and Thomas Edison used these herbs to expand their perceptions, especially when working on their theories. Mevlana's saying that "harmony seed covered the darkness and appeared real" also expresses the wisdom of these plants. There are even animals that eat psychoactive plants, although the exact cause is unknown.
Despite all this, some of the psychotropics have been legalized in major cities of the United States such as Denver, Oakland, and Santa Cruz. Then, in November 2020, Oregon became the first state to legalize psilocybin in all its cities.
This transformation was primarily due to the efforts of indigenous peoples, tribal leaders, shamans, scholars, who have tenaciously claimed their medicines for thousands of years, and then the efforts of large organizations such as MAPS, as well as local non-governmental organizations such as Decriminalize Nature.
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The place of psychotropic plants and components in our lives is much wider than we think, as will be seen shortly. In this article, we would like to share the main types with examples and effects.
Stimulants
Plants that most of us drink as soon as we wake up in the morning or when we fall asleep during the day; coffee and tea are the most popular of this group. Substances such as caffeine, theobromine and theophylline have effects such as opening our air channels, activating our urine secretion, and raising blood pressure. In high doses, heart palpitations, anxiety and tension can be felt.
The sibling representative of the same group plays a role in areas such as tobacco, sleep, motivation and memory. Coca, the sacred plant of the South American Indians, prevents the re-release of hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, so that the effects of the hormones are experienced for a longer period of time.
Cognitive Enhancers
These are plants that are also known as brain doping and used as supplements; Examples of ginseng and ginkgo biloba that we are all familiar with. It has effects such as protecting nerve cells, improving memory, and helping the body cope with stress.
Sedatives
This group generally suppresses the central nervous system. The most known sedative passiflora falls into this group, it is often consumed as a supplement or by making tea, as it does not have a hallucinogen effect. It is also mixed with wormwood to trigger a state of lucid dreaming called lucid dreaming in English.
Hallucinogens
Here is the most magazine family of psychotropics :) The members of this group have a wide variety such as mushrooms, cactus, trees and ivy.
Ergot, from the family of fungi, was called the "holy fire" by the ancient Romans because it was caustic and deadly. It was used in the witch massacres in Salem in the 1600s and killed more than 40,000 people. LSD, one of the most common hallucinogens today, is obtained from the alkaloids in the aforementioned Ergot mushroom. This strain causes mild hallucinations, of course, depending on its dosage. Types of the group, such as the Mandrake and the Demon, can cause unconsciousness and permanent damage.
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The mysteries and wonders of psychotropic plants are still a huge field of discovery for humanity. Although it does not feel fair to ban what nature offers to people, it is very critical to have a conscious control in terms of individual and public health. Today, organizations with this competence are available and accessible.
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