5 Herbal Highs That Actually Work

Plant drugs, also known as entheogens, have been used since the dawn of man to alter consciousness.  One major misconception is that plant drugs are somehow "weak" or "bunk" compared to synthetics.  The opposite belief--that plant drugs are "natural" and therefore "safe"--is equally flawed.

In truth, plant drugs can be powerful allies or toxic foes.  Or totally bunk.  You just have to know which ones are worth the effort.   Here's a list of herbal highs that definitely work:

Coca (Classification:  Stimulant)

     Erythroxylum, better known as the coca plant, is a tasty treat with a high nutritional content and numerous medicinal properties.  It also happens to be the source of a little drug known as cocaine.  In its natural state, the coca leaf provides a gentle energy burst similar to that of caffeine (only without the jitters and crash).  By comparison, it's less potent than yerba mate, espresso or any of the energy drinks in your grocer's freezer, yet it's a tightly controlled Schedule II substance.  Despite its dubious legal status, coca can be purchased online easily.  It may be consumed as a tea or chewed in a "quid" with a pinch of baking soda for its psychoactive effects. 

Kava (Classification:  Sedative)

     Kava is an exotic entheogen popular in Fiji and other Pacific islands.  It produces a state of intoxication somewhat similar to alcohol and is highly sedating at higher doses.  This makes it useful for anxiety, insomnia and other conditions involving over-stimulation of the mind.  There have been instances of severe liver damage with a few specific brands of kava.  While those appear to be isolated cases, there is some evidence that kava can be hard on the liver in general.  It's best to avoid it if you drink frequently, take acetaminophen regularly or have liver disease. 

Kratom (Classification:  Opiate)

     While not a true opiate, Mitragyna speciosa (a.k.a. kratom) is a leaf that works on opioid receptors in the brain to produce similar effects.  In low doses it acts as a stimulant while higher doses produce a sedative effect.  Kratom comes in many strains and forms, such as White-Vein Sumatra and Red-Vein Indo.  Its effects can be compared to codeine or hydrocodone in potency and duration.  Like other opiates, kratom can be physically addictive when overused. 

Salvia (Classification:  Hallucinogen)

     For anyone doubting the power of plant drugs, I have two words: salvia divinorum.  Youtube is teeming with freakout videos of people under its mighty influence.  Whether it's an enjoyable experience is up for debate.  When smoked in its whole leaf state, it produces powerful short-lasting visual hallucinations.  Many of the "freakouts" result from the more potent extracts (20x, 40x, 80x, etc).  Salvia can also be used orally like chewing tobacco for a milder experience. 

San Pedro cactus (Classification: Hallucinogen)

     Like its illegal cousin peyote, the San Pedro cactus contains mescaline, a powerful phenethylamine.  Its effects include powerful closed-eye visuals, physical stimulation and feelings of empathy/euphoria.  The main drawback is the preparation process, which can be time-consuming depending on which method you choose.  Also:  the taste and texture are gag-inducing, with a bitter/slimy quality akin to...well, nothing you've tasted before.  Nausea is a common side effect regardless of how it's prepared.  With effects lasting between 10 and 14 hours, San Pedro gives more bang for your buck than many other herbal highs.  It has several psychedelic cousins, including Peruvian Torch and Cardon Grande.