Aside from cannibas, which herbs induce a high?
November 27, 2007 2:10 PM Subscribe
Aside from cannibas, what herbs, individual and in combination induce the most powerful highs? Thanks.
Heroin isn't really something I think of as an herb. It's more like a refined, chemically modified plant product.
Tobacco, salvia divinorum, khat, coca leaf, peyote, and Jimson weed should probably be on this list.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:14 PM on November 27, 2007
Tobacco, salvia divinorum, khat, coca leaf, peyote, and Jimson weed should probably be on this list.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:14 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: I know about erowid btw - you can't ask on the site, iir If you read the question - I asked about HERBS - i.e. stuff that grow with leaves, stems and flowers. Thanks!
posted by watercarrier at 2:20 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by watercarrier at 2:20 PM on November 27, 2007
ayahuasca is a blend of herbs that includes DMT and the MAO inhibitors necessary to make the DMT active orally. It produces intense, long-lasting hallucinatory psychaedelic experiences.
posted by contraption at 2:20 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by contraption at 2:20 PM on November 27, 2007
Chat/qat, illegal in the US but legal and widely used by North African immigrants in the UK.
posted by soviet sleepover at 2:22 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by soviet sleepover at 2:22 PM on November 27, 2007
Mod note: a few comments removed. dear amateur pharmacologists - an answer to this question should have something to do with a "high" (i.e. not back pain) and something to do with an herb (i.e. not heroin). Please let's try to endeavor to be helpful for our watercarrying buddy. thank you.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:23 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:23 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: quoting ikkyu2: *Tobacco, salvia divinorum, khat, coca leaf, peyote, and Jimson weed should probably be on this list.(
I don't think tobacco, coca leaf, khat or peyote are herbs - or either salvia for that matter. Jimson weed is questionable. As for getting *high* - most if not all you listed are psychedelics - which I'm not really looking for. What I am seeking is elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation and a nice buzz. Thanks though :)
posted by watercarrier at 2:24 PM on November 27, 2007
I don't think tobacco, coca leaf, khat or peyote are herbs - or either salvia for that matter. Jimson weed is questionable. As for getting *high* - most if not all you listed are psychedelics - which I'm not really looking for. What I am seeking is elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation and a nice buzz. Thanks though :)
posted by watercarrier at 2:24 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: Thank you jeeamyn. Much appreciated. :)
posted by watercarrier at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by watercarrier at 2:25 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: soviet sleepover - khat is a bit of a stimulant needed to be taken as a chew when fresh of the tree and in season. Its season is somewhere in April, I believe.
posted by watercarrier at 2:28 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by watercarrier at 2:28 PM on November 27, 2007
Of course they are herbs- you can ask an herbalist. An herb is plant material: roots, leaves, flowers, bark, stems, seeds.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:28 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by oneirodynia at 2:28 PM on November 27, 2007
I was going to say salvia (which is most definitely an herb and will most definitely get you high and also happens to be legal). But if you're looking for something that is more like marijuana...
I'd be interested in hearing if there is such a thing that can make you feel elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation, and a nice buzz all at the same time. As far as I know marijuana is about as close as you can get to that and 'heightened awareness' is debatable. Heightened sensation maybe but awareness... not so much.
But yeah, what's your definition of herbs that doesn't include tobacco, peyote, or salvia?
posted by purelibertine at 2:33 PM on November 27, 2007
I'd be interested in hearing if there is such a thing that can make you feel elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation, and a nice buzz all at the same time. As far as I know marijuana is about as close as you can get to that and 'heightened awareness' is debatable. Heightened sensation maybe but awareness... not so much.
But yeah, what's your definition of herbs that doesn't include tobacco, peyote, or salvia?
posted by purelibertine at 2:33 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: definition of herb as per the free dictionary (for clarification) herb - A flowering plant whose stem does not produce woody tissue and generally dies back at the end of each growing season. Both grasses and forbs are herbs.
posted by watercarrier at 2:37 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by watercarrier at 2:37 PM on November 27, 2007
Neither tobacco nor coca leaf are psychedelics - they're both stimulants, and they're both herbs, since they're both, you know, leaves of plants. Also, it's my understanding that pot is a psychedelic.
[on preview - okay, so not technically herbs]
While I wouldn't count heroin as an herb (too much processing), you can certainly make tea from the leaves or roots or buds - don't actually know which - of the opium poppy. I don't know what sort of high it induces, since I've never tried it, but a friend who has says it's very pleasant. (FWIW, he found opium poppies growing wild in Oakland, CA - like, growing in with other weeds next to the sidewalk) - harvested them, took them home, and made tea.)
posted by rtha at 2:41 PM on November 27, 2007
[on preview - okay, so not technically herbs]
While I wouldn't count heroin as an herb (too much processing), you can certainly make tea from the leaves or roots or buds - don't actually know which - of the opium poppy. I don't know what sort of high it induces, since I've never tried it, but a friend who has says it's very pleasant. (FWIW, he found opium poppies growing wild in Oakland, CA - like, growing in with other weeds next to the sidewalk) - harvested them, took them home, and made tea.)
posted by rtha at 2:41 PM on November 27, 2007
I guarantee what you're looking for is Kratom.
Legal in the USA, varies elsewhere. Available online in a bunch of places.
posted by unixrat at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
Legal in the USA, varies elsewhere. Available online in a bunch of places.
posted by unixrat at 2:42 PM on November 27, 2007 [2 favorites]
Betel Nut
Not really an herb, but more along the lines of the high you are looking for so I thought I should mention it.
I've never done it myself, but it is apparently legal in the US, if you can find it.
posted by milarepa at 2:43 PM on November 27, 2007
Not really an herb, but more along the lines of the high you are looking for so I thought I should mention it.
I've never done it myself, but it is apparently legal in the US, if you can find it.
posted by milarepa at 2:43 PM on November 27, 2007
The salvia family also includes kitchen sage, which is found on most well-equipped spice racks, so it's hard for me to see how you could dismiss it as not being an herb.
Cannabis, on the other hand, is related to the hemp used to make rope, and I don't think my Thanksgiving turkey would have gone over very well if it'd had rope in the seasoning.
What exactly are you looking for? Kitchen spices you can get at your supermarket? Things that can be made into tea? (Coca leaf, khat and peyote definitely qualify for that.) Plants that have THC in them but aren't cannabis? (I'm not aware of any.)
"Psychedelic" is a word with a lot of contradictory definitions, and "elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation and a nice buzz" is really going to be very different from person to person, even on the same substances. Can you be more specific?
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:45 PM on November 27, 2007
Cannabis, on the other hand, is related to the hemp used to make rope, and I don't think my Thanksgiving turkey would have gone over very well if it'd had rope in the seasoning.
What exactly are you looking for? Kitchen spices you can get at your supermarket? Things that can be made into tea? (Coca leaf, khat and peyote definitely qualify for that.) Plants that have THC in them but aren't cannabis? (I'm not aware of any.)
"Psychedelic" is a word with a lot of contradictory definitions, and "elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation and a nice buzz" is really going to be very different from person to person, even on the same substances. Can you be more specific?
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:45 PM on November 27, 2007
Also: Jimson should be thought of as a deleriant, not a psychadelic.
And only the most desperate and stupid of fools touch it.
posted by unixrat at 2:46 PM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
And only the most desperate and stupid of fools touch it.
posted by unixrat at 2:46 PM on November 27, 2007 [1 favorite]
According to the free encyclopedia, salvia is an herb... a member of the sage genus and the mint family.
Regurgitating what the article said... a significant amount of users felt:
Increased insight
Improved mood
Increased Connection with Universe or Nature
Increased sweating
Body felt warm or hot
Increased self-confidence
Improved concentration
posted by purelibertine at 2:47 PM on November 27, 2007
Regurgitating what the article said... a significant amount of users felt:
Increased insight
Improved mood
Increased Connection with Universe or Nature
Increased sweating
Body felt warm or hot
Increased self-confidence
Improved concentration
posted by purelibertine at 2:47 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: Technically kartom isn't an herb since its harvested from a tree. Seems a bit formidable though. Anything with *opiate* seems a bit steep and might become unmanagable after time.
posted by watercarrier at 2:47 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by watercarrier at 2:47 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: ikkyu2 - salvia ~is~ an herb from the mint family - but it is most definitely a psychedlic - i.e. if seeing and tripping deep into the minds recesses is needed, which I'm not aiming for right now. So - what kind of substances? Herbs that can be found in an herbal shop, on the web, growing outdoors etc.
posted by watercarrier at 2:51 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by watercarrier at 2:51 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: purelibertine - http://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Salvia_divinorum.shtml
*Becoming a Zipper* seems like an interesting experience.
posted by watercarrier at 2:54 PM on November 27, 2007
*Becoming a Zipper* seems like an interesting experience.
posted by watercarrier at 2:54 PM on November 27, 2007
Jimson should be thought of as a deleriant, not a psychedelic. And only the most desperate and stupid of fools touch it.
Right, that's why I included it in a list of agents that produce the "most powerful highs."
Chamomile, Jamaican dogwood, and valerian root all produce feelings of relaxation that a lot of people find pleasant, but I would not describe any of these as "most powerful," and of course the latter two are a bark and a root respectively, not a herb.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:57 PM on November 27, 2007
Right, that's why I included it in a list of agents that produce the "most powerful highs."
Chamomile, Jamaican dogwood, and valerian root all produce feelings of relaxation that a lot of people find pleasant, but I would not describe any of these as "most powerful," and of course the latter two are a bark and a root respectively, not a herb.
posted by ikkyu2 at 2:57 PM on November 27, 2007
Kava?
...mildly talkative and euphoric behavior; anxiolytic (calming) effects, sense of well-being, clear thinking; and relaxed muscles.
posted by logic vs love at 3:01 PM on November 27, 2007
...mildly talkative and euphoric behavior; anxiolytic (calming) effects, sense of well-being, clear thinking; and relaxed muscles.
posted by logic vs love at 3:01 PM on November 27, 2007
definition of herb as per the free dictionary (for clarification) herb - A flowering plant whose stem does not produce woody tissue and generally dies back at the end of each growing season. Both grasses and forbs are herbs.
That's a botanical, not medicinal definition of herbs. What you are looking for are plants with certain medicinal properties, yes? If you really only want deciduous herbaceous plants and grasses, you're going to be even more limited in your search. Tobacco, Salvia divinorum, and Datura (jimson weed) are all herbs under the botanical definition as well. I actually have all three growing in my garden right now (well, not Datura stramonium, Datura tatula).
posted by oneirodynia at 3:13 PM on November 27, 2007
That's a botanical, not medicinal definition of herbs. What you are looking for are plants with certain medicinal properties, yes? If you really only want deciduous herbaceous plants and grasses, you're going to be even more limited in your search. Tobacco, Salvia divinorum, and Datura (jimson weed) are all herbs under the botanical definition as well. I actually have all three growing in my garden right now (well, not Datura stramonium, Datura tatula).
posted by oneirodynia at 3:13 PM on November 27, 2007
Yerba mate is probably closer to a "shrub" or "tree" than the really precise definition of "herb" you're using, but its leaves are brewed into tea that slurped throughout South Amercia for relaxation and a pleasant buzz. Supposedly it heightens your awareness much like coffee or tea, but is more relaxing and doesn't give you the jitters that many people get from caffeine. It's also legal, if that helps, and there's a whole series of traditions surrounding its preparation and consumption, if that's part of what floats your boat about plant-based substances rather than manufactured ones.
posted by infinitywaltz at 3:13 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by infinitywaltz at 3:13 PM on November 27, 2007
lol watercarrier, what can I say, I'm just a fan of salvia. Fun times. But I'm guessing it doesn't fit the purposes you're looking for.
posted by purelibertine at 3:15 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by purelibertine at 3:15 PM on November 27, 2007
Response by poster: infinitywaltz - I have the bombilla and the tea. Yeah yerbe is a good mood lifter. Getting buzzed, well that's another thing. But still...makes for a nice hot drink with fanfare and ritual. Same with kava. (thanks logic)
purelibertine- I'm going to do salvia one of these days when I can get to a really quiet place with no distractions. It's a shamanic trip - and you can't just take off like that - it's all good. Enjoy with care.
posted by watercarrier at 3:33 PM on November 27, 2007
purelibertine- I'm going to do salvia one of these days when I can get to a really quiet place with no distractions. It's a shamanic trip - and you can't just take off
posted by watercarrier at 3:33 PM on November 27, 2007
Agreed, watercarrier. I highly recommend having a sitter with you.
posted by purelibertine at 3:50 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by purelibertine at 3:50 PM on November 27, 2007
Anything with *opiate* seems a bit steep and might become unmanagable after time.
Except that it's not an opiate - it's just described that way.
posted by unixrat at 4:06 PM on November 27, 2007
Except that it's not an opiate - it's just described that way.
posted by unixrat at 4:06 PM on November 27, 2007
unixrat says:
I guarantee what you're looking for is Kratom.
Legal in the USA, varies elsewhere. Available online in a bunch of places.
It is illegal here in Malaysia. We call it ketum.
posted by kryptos at 4:48 PM on November 27, 2007
I guarantee what you're looking for is Kratom.
Legal in the USA, varies elsewhere. Available online in a bunch of places.
It is illegal here in Malaysia. We call it ketum.
posted by kryptos at 4:48 PM on November 27, 2007
Aside from Kava already mentioned, you can snort Cardamon root. Gives a 'Rush' like feeling of dialated blood vessels in your forehead. The Inca said that snorting it through a gold straw would make you a wise man. (Worked in the herb/extracts section of a Wild Oats store with a bunch of hippies way back when. A lot of that stuff will give you a buzz if taken correctly. But so long ago that I forget the details.)
posted by zengargoyle at 4:53 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by zengargoyle at 4:53 PM on November 27, 2007
Morning Glory and Hawaiian Baby Woodrose seeds contain LSA.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 5:53 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 5:53 PM on November 27, 2007
I wish we could make anon comments some times.... I might tell you more.
I am just going to say that ingesting Jimson weed can be VERY, VERY BAD.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 6:41 PM on November 27, 2007
I am just going to say that ingesting Jimson weed can be VERY, VERY BAD.
posted by B(oYo)BIES at 6:41 PM on November 27, 2007
"...elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation and a nice buzz"
Would green tea count? I find it does those things rather nicely, if moderately.
posted by MetaMonkey at 6:54 PM on November 27, 2007
Would green tea count? I find it does those things rather nicely, if moderately.
posted by MetaMonkey at 6:54 PM on November 27, 2007
About kava: I spent a long couple weeks drinking the stuff in a village in Fiji. It's very mild, and you have to drink a ton to experience any euphoric sensations.
Did keep us up chatting with the villagers all night though.
posted by JaredSeth at 8:51 PM on November 27, 2007
Did keep us up chatting with the villagers all night though.
posted by JaredSeth at 8:51 PM on November 27, 2007
What I am seeking is elevated, heightened awareness, relaxation and a nice buzz.
This is not terribly helpful. Caffeine and nicotine would satisfy all these requirements, and I'm fairly sure that's not what you were looking for.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:08 PM on November 27, 2007
This is not terribly helpful. Caffeine and nicotine would satisfy all these requirements, and I'm fairly sure that's not what you were looking for.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 9:08 PM on November 27, 2007
Betel nut will destroy your mouth in so many ways if used regularly. So gross.
posted by eritain at 11:16 PM on November 27, 2007
posted by eritain at 11:16 PM on November 27, 2007
You can also get a mild DMT high from bluegrasses. Read your Erowid.
(This is a pretty dumb question, on the whole).
posted by klangklangston at 11:57 AM on November 28, 2007
(This is a pretty dumb question, on the whole).
posted by klangklangston at 11:57 AM on November 28, 2007
Betel nuts are also highly associated with oral cancer. Just FYI.
posted by LittleMissCranky at 7:49 PM on January 3, 2008
posted by LittleMissCranky at 7:49 PM on January 3, 2008
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