Are All Drugs from Plants Safe? | Addiction

Since the Industrial Revolution, drugs have been processed from plants. They are now also processed from basic chemicals or molecules, so there are synthetic drugs in addition to drugs from plants. Many pharmaceutical and herbal drugs from plants are widely used in medical treatment settings and as a form of recreation.

While there is a widespread belief that herbal drugs are safer, this is not necessarily true. Plant-based drugs are intoxicating, dangerous, and addictive, just like synthetic or lab-produced drugs. For this reason, it’s important to practice caution before using drugs from plants.

Humans Have Used Plants as Medicine & Intoxicants for Thousands of Years

There are about 400,000 species of plant in the world. Humans use 10 to 15 percent of these for various purposes, like food, tools, and medicine. Some plants are also used as drugs, both for medicinal and recreational purposes. For thousands of years, many cultures have used hallucinogens for religious or spiritual rituals, as central nervous system (CNS) depressants to ease pain or lead to relaxation, and as stimulants to improve social feelings or physical energy and endurance.

With the advent of modern Christianity and European colonization of much of the world, drugs used in indigenous cultures were acquired and turned to different purposes, starting around the 18th century. While Western Europe has its own history of psychedelic, hallucinogenic, intoxicating, and addictive substances, many of the “natural” drugs abused recreationally today come from Central and South America, the continent of Africa, the Middle East, or Southeast Asia.

In the early 20th century, laboratories produced many chemicals based on natural substances. A backlash against pharmaceuticals and prescription drug abuse started in counterculture movements in the 1950s and 1960s, leading to wider Western exploration of the recreational effects of drugs from plants. This movement has ultimately shown that many of these substances are addictive. Herbal drugs can have harmful side effects, just like synthetic drugs that are abused for nonmedical reasons.

What Drugs Come From Plants?

Plants have been a source of medicinal compounds for thousands of years, and modern pharmacology continues to rely on them for new drug discoveries. Here’s a list highlighting some notable drugs derived from plants:

Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid): Originally derived from the bark of willow trees, aspirin is one of the most widely used medications in the world for pain relief, fever reduction, and anti-inflammatory purposes.
Quinine: Found in the bark of the cinchona tree, quinine has been used to treat malaria for centuries.
Digoxin: Derived from the foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea), digoxin is used to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure.
Paclitaxel (Taxol): Sourced from the bark of the Pacific yew tree, paclitaxel is an important chemotherapy drug used in the treatment of various cancers.
Atropine: Obtained from Atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade), atropine has applications in treating certain types of nerve agents and pesticide poisonings, as well as dilating pupils during eye exams.
Vinblastine and Vincristine: Both are alkaloids derived from the Madagascar periwinkle plant and are used to treat several types of cancer by inhibiting cell division.

This list represents just a fraction of the vast array of drugs that have their origins in plants. The study of ethnobotany and phytochemistry continues to explore plants around the world for potential new medicines.

More on Herbal Drugs

Popular Herbal Supplements & Plant-Based Intoxicants

Plant-based intoxicants have a long history of use, whereas others are newly popular. Some common pharmaceutical and herbal drugs from plants include:

Ayahuasca
Betel Nut
Cannabis
Calea Zacatechichi
Coca
Datura
Kava

Khat
Kratom
Mescaline
Opium
Peyote
Psilocybin or Shrooms
Salvia

Ayahuasca

While ayahuasca has been used for thousands of years in religious and shamanic rituals in Amazonian tribes due to its hallucinogenic properties, this intoxicating tea is becoming a recreational luxury for many in modern society. Trips to South America to visit a shaman and take ayahuasca are becoming a trendy tourist activity for upper-middle-class Westerners, especially young American adults.

Due to the main two chemicals in ayahuasca — Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, which contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) — this plant is a powerful hallucinogen. DMT combines with Banisteriopsis caapi, which acts as a powerful antidepressant, to be digested more slowly and influence brain chemistry for longer.

Effects of Ayahuasca

People who have participated in the ayahuasca ritual report having long-term positive effects, such as less depression or anxiety, feeling more connected to the world, and increased energy. The drug may influence brain health, but there is little medical information on this.

There is no guarantee that you will have a favorable reaction to ayahuasca. As with other hallucinogens, it is possible to have a bad trip. You may experience high anxiety, paranoia, fear, or nightmarish hallucinations. You may feel physically sick from nausea or heat exhaustion.

Like other hallucinogens, ayahuasca can raise blood pressure and heart rate. You may have a bad cardiovascular reaction if you have an underlying heart problem.

Betel Nut

The betel nut, also known as the areca nut (Areca catechu), is the fruit of the areca palm. The plant is native to the Philippines and recreational use of betel nut originated in Asia and parts of the Pacific. Chewing this plant leaves a red or purple residue around the mouth. The plant is sometimes dried, and lime or tobacco is added for flavor and another drug boost. This is sold as betel quid.

People in the region have been chewing betel nuts for a quick burst of energy for about 2,000 years. In 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that about 600 million people use this drug, roughly 10% of the world’s population. This makes the betel nut one of the most popular psychoactive substances around the globe, after alcohol, tobacco, and caffeine.

While betel nut is not widely abused in Western countries, it may spread further with the rise of interest in herbal supplements and natural remedies. The drug provides a burst of energy, likely because of natural alkaloids that release adrenaline. Chewing betel nuts can also cause feelings of euphoria and increase one’s sense of well-being.

Effects of Betel Nut

Although there is little medical information on betel nut’s dangers, some reports have found it might ease cardiovascular and digestive problems with its anti-inflammatory properties. The drug may promote wound healing too.

It is considered an addictive substance. It has been associated with a high risk of oral cancer due to how betel nut is consumed. There are also some studies reporting that it can actually increase cardiovascular damage, metabolic syndrome, and obesity rates.

Cannabis

Cannabis is the most widely abused illicit drug in the U.S., ranking just under alcohol for recreational substance abuse. Both medical and recreational use of cannabis is becoming more popular all over the world, including in the U.S. States are passing laws that allow people to grow the plants in their homes, produce cannabis in various forms for sale, and have a small amount of the drug on their person if they are 21 or older.

Although it is still illegal at the federal level, the popularity of marijuana has led to an increased belief that the drug is safe. While it is very hard to overdose on cannabis, the drug is addictive and can cause side effects that change mental health.

History of Cannabis Use

The use of cannabis for medicinal purposes likely started on the Asian continent around 500 BCE. The drug was brought over to Central and South America by early colonists, probably for hemp, which could be used for rope and textiles.

It is a fast-growing plant, and early cultivated versions were likely low in tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the chemical that causes intoxication and euphoria.

Records of marijuana abuse are all over the ancient world. Cannabis came into the United States in the early 1900s, as more Mexicans migrated into the country to work as farmers or ranch hands. Massive unemployment and social unrest during the Great Depression led to a backlash against both Mexicans and anything associated with their culture, including cannabis.

A lot of political and cultural back and forth in the U.S. led to the popularization, then criminalization, of marijuana over the past several decades. Currently, a push to legalize the drug has also led to a push to change drug incarceration laws and release those who have been incarcerated due to cannabis sale or possession.

Effects of Cannabis

Cannabis is a natural plant which leads many people to falsely believe that marijuana is a safe drug to use. Like cigarettes, opioids, and alcohol, marijuana is addictive and can cause harm.

Cannabis highs start with a little stimulation.

After smoking marijuana or ingesting the drug, many people first report feeling stimulation. After, symptoms of a marijuana high may include:

Giddiness
Euphoria
Tranquility
Relaxation
Sedation

From there, people may experience symptoms that range from contentment or drowsiness to anxiety and paranoia.

Studies also show that marijuana use can result in adverse side effects including:

Depression
Anxiety
Suicide planning
Psychotic episodes
Dependence

As the drug wears off, some people do not feel much, while others experience worsening mental health and cravings. For this reason, the negative effects of cannabis seem to vary depending on the person using the drug.

Calea Zacatechichi

Sometimes called the dream herb, there has been an increase in consumption of this substance in dietary supplements, mainly to treat diabetes. Calea has also been used in folk medicine for thousands of years.

There has been an association between using Calea and suffering kidney problems. One study showed that taking Calea long-term for hypoglycemia could lead to kidney damage. Further scientific research is needed to understand the link between Calea, renal damage, and diabetes, which can also lead to renal problems.

Use of Calea in the U.S.

This plant is native to Central America, where it has been used as an herbal medicine by indigenous groups for thousands of years. Recent trends in finding new herbal medicines and selling those as supplements in the U.S. have led to an increase in Western users.

Because it is sold as a supplement, calea use in the U.S. is not restricted or controlled. This has led to incidents of physical harm from toxic interactions.

Coca

Cocaine comes from the leaves of the coca plant, native to South America. Indigenous people in the area have long chewed the leaves for their stimulating effects, but few people abuse this stimulant in this form in the modern world. In Western cultures, the leading problem is powdered cocaine, a synthetic drug derived from the coca plant.

Cocaine is a Schedule II drug in the U.S., meaning that it has some medical uses. The substance was originally developed as a local anesthetic. It is still used in this way for specific ear, nose, and throat surgeries.

Illicit cocaine is manufactured and abused in much larger quantities than pharmaceutical cocaine. The white powder is typically snorted. It may also be mixed with water and injected intravenously, rolled into a cigarette and smoked, or mixed into other drugs and abused.

History of Cocaine Abuse

Cocaine’s history of abuse spans centuries, rooted in the indigenous cultures of South America. For thousands of years, native peoples chewed coca leaves to boost energy and endurance. In the 19th century, cocaine was isolated from coca leaves, sparking its global rise. It quickly gained popularity in medicine and everyday products, including Coca-Cola, for its supposed therapeutic benefits.

By the early 20th century, the addictive and harmful effects of cocaine became clear, leading governments to regulate its use. Despite this, cocaine surged in the 1970s and 1980s as a status symbol among celebrities and professionals, causing a spike in addiction and health issues. The use of speedballs, a mix of cocaine and heroin, also led to many overdoses during this time.

In response, stricter narcotics laws were implemented, and the war on drugs intensified, targeting cocaine trafficking and use. However, these efforts also fueled illegal markets and violence. Today, society continues to tackle addiction and prevention while debating reforms to drug policies.

Effects of Cocaine

Cocaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. It exerts its effects by increasing levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and movement, in the brain circuits.

The immediate effects of cocaine use may include:

Intense euphoria
Heightened energy
Increased alertness

However, these short-term sensations come at a high cost to the user’s physical and mental health.

Side effects of cocaine abuse can result in the following:

Depression
Irritability
Anxiety
Paranoia
Hallucinations
Constricted blood vessels
Elevated body temperature
Increased heart rate
High blood pressure

Depending on the method of abuse, cocaine can cause the following:

Nasal damage if snorted
Intestinal gangrene from decreased blood flow if ingested
Respiratory issues if smoked

Cocaine abuse can lead to more serious conditions such as:

Heart attacks
Strokes
Sudden death

Cocaine is highly addictive and can quickly lead individuals down a path of dependency. The intense craving for the drug combined with the fear of the depressive comedown often leads users to consume more to avoid withdrawal symptoms, trapping them in a dangerous cycle of addiction.

Datura

Datura stramonium is a toxic plant known as Jimson weed, thornapple, devil’s trumpet, or devil’s snare. Ingesting datura may cause hallucinations and intoxication, but it is more likely to lead to poisoning and hospitalization.

Despite its toxic properties, it has frequently been employed in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments. The leaves and seeds have been to treat conditions such as:

Asthma
Cough
Cold and flu
Swine flu
Nerve diseases

There is little scientific research to show how effective Datura is at managing these conditions. More importantly, the weed can be highly toxic and even fatal when consumed in large doses.

Effects of Jimson Weed (Datura)

The effects of Jimson weed on the body are due to its active compounds: tropane alkaloids. These alkaloids (atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine) are powerful deliriants and anticholinergics that block the activity of acetylcholine in the nervous system. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter responsible for regulating muscle movement and other bodily functions.

When Datura stramonium is ingested in high doses, it can cause a wide range of symptoms, including:

Dry mouth
Extreme thirst
Dilated pupils
Blurred vision
Rapid heartbeat
Nausea and vomiting
Hallucinations

Elevated body temperature
Confusion
Breathing problems
Hallucinations
Loss of consciousness
Seizures
Respiratory failure

The effects of Datura stramonium can vary depending on the amount consumed and an individual’s tolerance level. Some people may experience mild symptoms while others may have severe reactions. It is possible to overdose on Datura, and this can be serious. Since it is a naturally occurring drug, it can be difficult to get the “correct” dose, especially for recreational abuse.

Kava

Kava, or “kava kava,” comes from a plant that is a member of the nightshade family, so it is distantly related to peppers and tomatoes. The substance has been consumed in Pacific Island nations for hundreds of years as part of religious and cultural ceremonies.

In recent years, kava has gained popularity in Western countries with many touting its benefits for reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. However, there have been concerns raised about potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

Effects of Kava

Kava is a CNS depressant drug which means it slows down the activity of the central nervous system. For this reason, people may use Kava as a natural alternative to prescription medications for anxiety and stress.

Kava can produce a range of effects such as:

Relaxation
Sedation
Mild euphoria

Kavalactones, the psychoactive chemicals found in kava, account for its relaxing effects. These chemicals have been reported as useful in treating conditions such as:

Anxiety
Pain
Neuron damage
Cancer risk, as some studies in mice

While there are few studies on kava’s medicinal effects, the drug does appear to act on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the brain. These are also triggered by sedative drugs like benzodiazepines as well as alcohol. While kava may be useful in treating insomnia or anxiety, like other sedative drugs, it may also be addictive.

Legal Status of Kava

Kava is not illegal in the U.S. since it is sold as a dietary supplement. The drug can be taken as a liquid or tincture, brewed into a tea, or swallowed as a capsule. There is no regulated medical dose of the drug, so it is hard to know how much is safe. Unfortunately, there are reports of liver toxicity associated with kava supplements, which led several European countries and Canada to ban the drug.

Khat

Khat, also spelled qat or chat, is an evergreen shrub that is native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In countries such as Somalia, Yemen, and Ethiopia, people commonly chew Khat as a recreational drug. It is also used for social and cultural purposes, often being consumed during gatherings or celebrations.

Cathinone, the psychoactive chemical found in Khat, is currently a controlled substance in much of the Western world, including the United States. While Khat has entered the U.S. and been abused recreationally, it is much rarer than synthetic cathinone abuse, which became infamous in the country with the rise of bath salts.

Effects of Khat

The stimulant effects of khat are due to the presence of cathinone and cathine. The plant can also trigger a mild euphoria due to the drug’s ability to release more serotonin into the brain.

However, the use of khat can have negative consequences on one’s health. Prolonged use can lead to symptoms such as:

Decrease in appetite
Weight loss
Difficulty sleeping
Irritability
Heart problems
Psychosis

Kratom

Kratom plant-based drug that comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree native to Southeast Asia. This plant-based drug has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In recent years, kratom has gained popularity in the United States.

Kratom is primarily consumed in two forms which include:

Powdered leaf that can be brewed into tea or mixed with food.
Capsules which are taken orally.

Some people also smoke kratom.

While kratom is not illegal in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) have issued warnings about these powders and supplements. They started a conversation about placing kratom in the drug schedule to restrict its use.

Effects of Kratom

The two chemicals in kratom, mitragynine, and 7-α-hydroxymitragynine, produce pleasure, sedation, and decreased pain. Mitragynine can produce stimulant effects like caffeine.

The effects of kratom include the following:

Queasiness
Itchiness
Perspiration
Dry mouth
Constipation
Increased urination
Reduced appetite

Serious side effects include hallucinations or seizures, which can occur at large doses. There are reports of overdose deaths involving kratom, but these often involve other drugs, particularly opioid substances.

Opium

Opium is a highly addictive and illegal drug made from the opium poppy plant. It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine and was also commonly used as a recreational drug throughout history.

One of the most known drugs from plants is morphine. Morphine is a potent analgesic used to relieve severe pain that is extracted from opium poppies. The opium poppy is also the originating source of codeine and heroin.

History of Opium Use

Sap from the opium poppy has been used to ease pain since ancient Mesopotamia, around 3400 BCE, when the civilization started cultivating this flower. Sumerians passed information about the plant’s euphoric and analgesic effects to the Assyrians, who spread it to Babylon and Egypt. After, the use of the opium poppy spread around the Mediterranean.

Alexander the Great is credited with spreading opium to India and Persia. From there, the drug was introduced to China by early Silk Road traders.

During the 1300s, opium disappeared from any records in Western Europe, largely due to the Spanish Inquisition. In the 16th century, the drug made a comeback as laudanum, an analgesic that became widely abused. Opium was also commonly used as a recreational drug in the 19th century.

Opium use spread to North and South America through colonization. Morphine was developed as the first synthetic opioid, which led to the first opioid abuse epidemic in the United States after the Civil War.

Opium’s Effects & Dangers

Most opioid-based drugs in the modern abuse epidemic are synthetic. Heroin, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are all derived from morphine. Aside from heroin, many of these drugs are Schedule II, meaning they are tightly regulated by the U.S. federal government, but they still have important uses in medicine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 130 people die every day in the country due to opioid overdoses.

Opium can produce feelings of relaxation, euphoria, and pain relief. These pleasant feelings prompt people to continue use, and this often leads to a cycle of abuse, physical dependence, and eventually addiction.

Opium attaches to receptors in the brain responsible for breathing, along with pain responses and neurotransmitter release. Taking too much of the drug can lead to overdose, which is caused by stopped or irregular breathing. Opioid overdose can be deadly.

Peyote

Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychedelic substance found in the peyote cactus. Peyote is typically consumed orally and can produce intense visual and sensory effects, along with altered thoughts and emotions. The plant is not physically addictive but it can lead to psychological dependence.

In some cultures, mescaline has been used for spiritual and religious purposes. Aside from its recreational uses, mescaline also has potential medicinal benefits such as pain relief and appetite stimulation.

History of Peyote and Mescaline Use

The use of mescaline can be traced back to ancient Central and South American cultures, particularly among the Aztecs and Huichol people. The small buds from the spineless peyote cactus from which mescaline is derived were considered sacred plants by indigenous groups. For this reason, the buds, also known as “mescal buttons,” have been used in religious rituals for thousands of years.

In the late 19th century, European explorers discovered peyote and its psychoactive properties. This led to the spread of its use among Western cultures, particularly with the rise of interest in psychedelic substances in the 1960s and 1970s.

Today, mescaline is classified as a Schedule I drug in most countries due to its potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. However, it continues to be used in traditional religious ceremonies by Native American tribes and in some shamanic practices.

The lack of cultivation of the cactus and the limited territory the plant inhabits mean that substances sold as mescaline on the black market are most often either adulterated versions or a different drug altogether (often PCP or LSD).

Effects of Peyote

Peyote is known to produce hallucinations and euphoria. Throughout history, people found value in the spiritual effects of mescaline, the psychoactive chemical found in peyote.

The effects of mescaline include:

Altered perception
Enhanced introspection
Intense visual and auditory hallucinations

These experiences can vary greatly depending on the individual’s mindset, setting, and dosage.

Risks of Peyote Abuse

While mescaline is not considered addictive, like many hallucinogens, peyote can cause serious physical and mental health side effects that can be dangerous.

Risks of peyote include the following:

Numbness
Tension or anxiety
Muscle twitches
Rapid reflexes
Physical weakness and trembling
Impaired motor coordination
Dizziness
Pupil dilation
Nausea and vomiting
High body temperature, sweating, and heat stroke
Chills or shivering, similar to the flu
Appetite suppression
Distorted vision
Hallucinations, especially visual or auditory
Synesthesia, or several senses overlapping
Joy, exhilaration, panic, or terror
Paranoia
Loss of a sense of reality

It is also possible to suffer heat stroke or seizures due to this drug. Additionally, there is a risk of physical harm from consuming large doses or contaminated sources. Due to its potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use, it is important to approach the use of mescaline with caution and respect.

Shrooms

Like many other plant-based drugs, shrooms or magic mushrooms have been used by indigenous groups in Central and South America for thousands of years. They were sometimes called God’s flesh because they could treat some illnesses and were used in shamanic or spiritual rituals.

In recent decades, the chemicals psilocybin and psilocin, found in shrooms, have been used for increasing recreational purposes. Albert Hofmann, who is credited with discovering LSD, isolated these chemicals from magic mushrooms and began using them in a synthetic form.

Most people in modern Western societies tend to get dried mushrooms and brew them into a drink. The chemicals take about 20 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. The effects of shrooms can last for three to six hours.

Effects of Shrooms

Heightened sensory perceptions, hallucinations, and the inability to differentiate fiction from reality are common effects of shrooms.

The drug can also cause harm to the body, including the following:

Tension, anxiety, and restlessness
Sense of detachment from the body
Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps
Muscle relaxation, weakness, and twitching
Numbness
Heart rate changes
Elevated body temperature
Feelings of physical heaviness
High blood pressure
Alternating between sweating and cold chills

Despite these side effects, some studies have shown that psilocybin may be effective in treating cluster headaches and alcoholism in controlled medical settings. However, more research is needed to fully understand psilocybin’s therapeutic properties.

Salvia

Salvia is a naturally occurring drug found in a plant called salvia divinorum, which is part of the sage family. It is known for its psychoactive effect when its leaves and leaf extracts are consumed.

It is believed to have a low incidence of side effects and low addiction potential, but there is little medical research on the substance. Salvia is not widely abused, so problems from abusing this substance are not well understood.

Most reports of salvia use in North America involve recreational substance abuse. Although there are few reports of overdose, the drug’s long-term effects are not known. It is believed to be dangerous.

Effects of Salvia Drug

Originally, salvia was used by the Mazatec tribe in Central America. They brewed it into tea as part of religious rituals. People may also abuse the drug by smoking salvia.

The main chemical in salvia is salvinorin A, a kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonist. This may impact dopamine, a neurotransmitter that can elevate mood, improve physical energy, and (in larger amounts) cause hallucinations. For this reason, ingesting the plants leaves can result in “salvia trips” which include symptoms such as:

Depersonalization
Laughter
Feelings of levitation
Colored visions
Loss of consciousness
Déjà vu
Anxiety

There are reports of people experiencing intense dissociative episodes while under the influence of salvia. This can cause individuals to lose touch with reality and potentially engage in dangerous behaviors.

The Dangers of Using Drugs from Plants

Despite what some people may think, abusing drugs from plants can be dangerous. Although the drugs listed above are plant-based, many of them are addictive. All of these herbal drugs can cause harmful side effects that can cause lasting physical and mental damage or even death.

Whether these drugs are technically legal or federally illegal, abusing them is dangerous. They may have some known or reported medical uses, but taking them without supervision from a doctor is considered substance abuse and could lead to serious health effects, including death.

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When Do You Need Help Quitting Addictive Drugs from Plants?

If you feel sick when you try to quit using them, or you feel like you need to take more to get the original effects, you’re likely struggling with a growing tolerance and even physical dependence on drugs from plants.

Dependence and addiction are signified by compulsive use of a substance despite a desire to stop use. While you may be unable to stop using these herbal drugs on your own, you can achieve recovery with the right help.

If you are struggling with an addiction to pharmaceutical or herbal drugs from plants, help is available. Evidence-based treatment will address the condition on all fronts, helping you to identify the issues that led to your substance abuse and develop coping mechanisms so you can live a healthy, sober life.

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Pharmaceutical and Herbal Drugs from Plants

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