“Natural Highs” in an Historical and Biological Context

Abstract

Historical and contemporary patterns of substance use and abuse are recognized, and the error in believing psychoactive natural substances to be reasonably safe is pointed out. The plethora of literature on drug-induced ecstasies among diverse peoples produces over-confidence in the safety of inducing altered states by means of natural chemicals. Given the current level of experimentation, the lack of a context for use, and the lack of knowledge of the toxicity of many plant sources presents a very real problem. Documented evidence of recent changes in patterns of experimentation with diverse drugs, many from natural sources, suggests that the naive user may experience an unwarranted level of confidence. Diverse genera and species of plants that produce psychoactive effects are presented. Many of these are now in use and others will undoubtedly be the subject of uncontrolled experimentation in the future. Educators, researchers, legislators, physicians, and therapists should be aware of chemicals from natural sources, and the categories of experience that they provoke.