Lecture 25: Hallucinogenic Plants 1 Flashcards
Psychoactive plants were often used as a ______.
Healing tool
What are two examples of how people used psychoactive plants as a healing tool
Either to communicate with the spirit world in order to find the best “real” treatment (e.g. based on non-hallucinogenic plants).
Or to bring the sick person to the spirit world for healing.
True or False: Humans seem have a natural drive to pursue ecstatic experiences.
True
True or False: Only a few cultures have developed methods for inducing such experiences.
False, all cultures
True or False: Every culture in the world (has) used psychoactive plants.
True
How many hallucinogenic plants exist?
We don’t know exactly!
We know of a few thousand sp., however, probably there are more.
The ____ may transform a medicinal plant into a hallucinogenic or a poisonous plant.
dose
What are 3 types of psychoactive solanaceae in Europe and Asia?
Mandragora offcinarum (mandrake)
Hyosciamus niger (henbane)
Atropa belladonna (Belladonna or Deadly nightshade)
The psychoactive solanaceae were often called ______ because of their use by the “witches” of Europe.
“hexing herbs”
Solanaceae contain Contain a mixture of alkaloids: _______(3) , which are all inhibitors of ______.
hyoscyamine, atropine, scopolamine
acetylcholine
Psychoactive Solanaceae were used by ancient cultures (Assyrians, Greeks) as ______.
anesthetics
____ roots have a human shape and was associated with supernatural powers (probably the psychoactive properties)
Mandrake
Why did they use dogs to pull up mandrakes?
when the root is dug up it screams and kills those who hear
_____ have a campanulate corolla and yellow-orange berries.
Mandrake
What are the psychoactive effects of hexing herbs?
Within 15 min: psychomotor disquiet and general arousal, not infrequently of erotic nature, confused speech; great euphoria but also fits of crying; increasing states of excitation culminating in frenzy, rage, madness, with complete lack of ability to recognize surroundings
______ hallucinations are dark and frightening.
Hexing herbs
What are the physiological effects of hexing herbs?
Very dry mouth; increased pupils; increased pulse
Inhibit formation of memory
What are the effects of mandrake at a high dose?
respiratory paralysis and death
What are the 2 chemicals in hexing herbs?
Atropine, scopolamine
______ has a stimulant effect on the central nervous system and heart, whereas _______ has a sedative effect.
_______ = antiemetic, against motion sickness
Atropine, scopolamine x2
What were flying oitments made of?
hexing herbs
How was flying ointments applied?
Skin
Vaginal or anal
True or False: The use of enemas or clysters for administering medicines (including henbane) was known in Europe long before medieval times.
True
_______ died accidentally when tried a “flying ointment”.
Karl Kiesewetter
________ had a terrifying flight experience
Will-Erich Peukert
When did the witch culture start?
in Europe and the Church; early 7th century
Why were more woman perceived as witches according to the Malleus Maleficarum?
“Women, by their weaker nature and inferior intellect, are naturally more prone to the lure of Satan”.
What were the 8 recurring beliefs of witches?
- The ride by night
- The pact with the Devil
- The formal repudiation of Christianity
- The secret nocturnal meeting
- The desecration of the crucifix
- The orgy
- Sacrificial infanticide, and
- Cannibalism
The accusations against witches were almost identical to those used by _______ against ______.
3rd-century Romans against early Christians
What were the effects of the Great European witch hunt?
40,000 to 60,000 executions
Damage not only to the animistic knowledge but to the science progress in general.
What are the three pyscohative solanceae in the Americas?
Nicotiana spp.
Tabacco
Datura spp. (Jimsonweeds or Thorn apple spp.).
Brugmansia spp.
(Angel trumpet)
True or False: Brugmansia and Datura contain the same alkaloids as Mandragora, Hyosciamus & Atropa. Nicotiana contains nicotine
True
_____ have been traditionally used in many South American indigenous cultures in medical preparations and as a ritualistic hallucinogen for divination, to communicate with ancestors, as a poison in sorcery and black magic, and for prophecy
Burgmansia
In a concentrated or refined form, ________ from Brugmansia is used as a rape drug, to commit robberies or even murder.
scopolamine
Scopolamine inhibits the formation of memories (induces amnesia), self-awareness and the ability to make decisions.
______ use has been linked to many deaths, especially at higher dosages (contains lots of scopolamine).
Datura, teenagers trying to see what it is
Question: “Hexing” herbs produce?
Answer: Dark and frightening hallucinations
Question: One of the solanaceae is bogus.
Answer: Hexing nightshade (Solanum diabolicum)
