9 (Legal) Drugs That Will Induce a Psychedelic Trip

The word psychedelic comes from the ancient Greek word psychē, which means mind or soul, and the word dēloun which means to reveal. Mind-revealing psychedelic substances can often bring on a deep level of understanding and consciousness with new insights about not only our own mind but of reality and existence.

Psychedelic substances can both be natural or synthetic. Among the most well-known psychedelics are LSD, mescaline, psilocybin and DMT. Some psychedelics can be legal while others are illegal. Here is a list of some of these naturally occurring psychedelics that are legal in some countries (sort of).

1. HAWAIIAN BABY WOODROSE

The Hawaiian Baby Woodrose (Argyreia nervosa) is a perennial climbing vine with large heart-shaped leaves and white trumpet-shaped flowers that is native to India. It is believed that the active compound in it is LSA, a naturally occurring psychedelic alkaloid which is a precursor to LSD.

When compared to LSD, and despite having a similar chemical structure, the psychedelic experience of LSA is different. It is normally milder than the effects of LSD, and generally, gives a more clear-headed and more-focused high.

While the extraction and possession of LSA is prohibited in most countries, the Hawaiian baby woodrose by itself is not.

2. MESCALINE CACTUS

The most widely-known of the many sacred mescaline cacti is Peyote (Lophophora williamsii), although there are other varieties such as the San Pedro cactus (Echinopsis pachanoi ) or the Bolivian Torch (Echinopsis lageniformis).

In most countries of the world, mescaline is a controlled substance and therefore illegal. The cacti which contain the mescaline, however, are not.

In Middle America, in Mexico and also in Southwestern Texas, the Peyote cactus has a vast history of being used for sacred ceremonies and shamanic rituals, with the psychedelic effect of the cactus known for many thousands of years. Although consuming mescaline is illegal in the US and other countries, the members of the Native American Church whose religion involves the sacramental use of peyote are exempt from the ban.

3. MORNING GLORY

The name morning glory is used to designate more than 1000 species of the Convolvulaceae family, which are flowers that grow in many countries of the world. Some species of morning glory have been used for different purposes since ancient times, such as Turbina corymbosa and Ipomoea tricolor. These are also known under several other names like Heavenly Blue, Pearly Gates or Flying Saucer. Evidence suggests that morning glory was used in Ancient Egypt, where it found use as a powerful aphrodisiac.

It is believed that the main active ingredient in morning glory is LSA, which is chemically similar to, and a precursor of, LSD - although with a milder effect. It is not illegal to possess morning glory plants, and many grow them for ornamental purposes. It is, however, illegal to extract or possess the LSA which is considered a controlled substance in most countries.

4. SALVIA

Salvia divinorum or Salvia for short, is sometimes called Sage of the Diviners or Seer’s Sage. It is considered one of the strongest naturally occurring psychedelics. The plant is a native to the humid cloud forests of Mexico. Priests and shamans used Salvia for many hundreds of years in sacred rituals to induce visions and spiritual experiences.

The active compound in Salvia is salvinorin with the leaves of the Salvia divinorum plant containing the highest concentration of it.

5. COLORADO RIVER TOAD (BUFO ALVARIUS)

The Colorado River Toad (Bufo alvarius), also known as Sonoran Desert Toad, is a toad that secrets a poison with psychoactive properties. The glands of the toad excrete the poison that contains bufotenin and 5-MeO-DMT which may be smoked. Contrary to popular belief, the toad is not licked but “milked” since ingestion of the substance is poisonous.

Some consider the toad sacred and use the poison from it for spiritual ceremonies, most famously the members of the “Church of the Toad of Light”. The toad is a native of Arizona, New Mexico, and California and can also be found in some parts of Mexico. Although the extraction and possession of DMT and bufotenin is prohibited, using the toad for its psychedelic effects happens so rarely and is considered as so obscure that not many cases of prosecution are known.

6. Magic Truffles

Magic Truffles are the underground growths (sclerotia) of certain magic mushroom species. They look and taste different from magic mushrooms but have similar psychedelic effects. Magic truffles can make for a psychedelic experience that can range from unusual ideas and new insights to visions and deep spiritual understanding and breakthroughs.

As is the case with other magic mushrooms, the active compound in magic truffles is the psychoactive substance psilocybin. The amount of psilocybin and then the strength of the effect can vary depending on the type of magic truffles consumed and the dosage. Magic truffles are considered illegal in most countries, but can be bought legally in the Netherlands.

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7. PASSIONFLOWER

Native to southeastern parts of the US and Central America, passionflower is a genus of plant with over 500 species. This sprawling group includes vines, shrubs, and some varieties of trees. However, it is not the diversity of species that makes passionflower an enticing psychedelic, but the alkaloids contained within its leaves and roots.

What we’re interested in is passionflower’s soothing and relaxing properties. Once dried, the leaves of Passiflora are mixed with hot water to produce an enchanting brew believed to soothe tension and inner turmoil.

Fortunately, experiencing the relaxing influence of passionflower couldn’t be simpler. Not only is it available as a concentrated extract, but it’s legal to prepare and consume. The herbal supplement is enjoyed not only as a tea, but a liquid extract and tincture.

8. BLUE LOTUS

Travel back in time to ancient Egypt, and the banks of the Nile would have been laden with an intoxicating water lily known as blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea).

Commonly associated with party scenes and dancing, what the ancient Egyptians didn’t know was that the source of blue lotus’ effects stem from the psychoactive alkaloid aporphine. Not to be confused with apomorphine (a much more severe substance), aporphine is thought to interact with dopamine receptors.

Blue lotus was, and still is, revered for its aphrodisiac qualities and ability to soothe nerves. The combination of these effects made it an obvious choice for spiritual and magical rites of passage. Now, you can harness the same enchanting powers thanks to blue lotus extract, which is legal in all but a handful of countries.

9. KANNA

Kanna, not to be confused with cannabis, is a succulent native to South Africa. Also known as channa or kougoed, its use stems all the way back to prehistoric hunter-gatherers. When kanna is chewed and the resulting saliva is swallowed, it induces a mild psychedelic state, one that was believed to improve the physical and mental endurance of our prehistoric ancestors.

Although the need to hunt across the plains of South Africa has passed, that hasn’t stopped kanna from being a popular legal drug to trip with.

The good news is, you no longer have to chew raw kanna. The plant now comes as a powder, a whole plant, an extract, and you can even make kanna tea. Take the time to prepare this potent psychedelic, and you’ll feel tension fade away in an instant.

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Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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