Substance Encyclopedia

2C-B is a synthetic psychedelic phenethylamine first made by Alexander Shulgin and structurally related to mescaline. It is strongly dose-dependent: lower doses feel warm, sensual, and entactogen-like (similar to MDMA), while higher doses are clearly psychedelic, with effects lasting about 4–8 hours.

3-MMC (3-methylmethcathinone) is a synthetic cathinone and 'research chemical' closely related to mephedrone. It is a short-acting stimulant with mild entactogenic effects, a strong tendency to drive compulsive redosing, and significant risks including cardiovascular toxicity and dependence.

4-AcO-DMT (psilacetin, O-acetylpsilocin) is a synthetic tryptamine that acts as a prodrug for psilocin — the same active compound produced by magic mushrooms. Its effects are widely reported to be very similar to psilocybin.

5-MeO-DMT is an extremely potent, fast-acting psychedelic tryptamine found in the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad and in some plants, and also made synthetically. Rather than the rich visuals of DMT, it tends to produce a sudden, overwhelming experience of ego dissolution and oneness lasting only minutes.

Ayahuasca is an Amazonian psychedelic brew that combines a DMT-containing plant with an MAO-inhibiting vine, making the DMT orally active. Used ceremonially for centuries, it produces a long, visionary, and often cathartic experience — typically including purging — lasting around 4–6 hours.

Cacao is the seed of the Theobroma cacao tree and the source of chocolate. In ceremonial settings it is taken as a strong, pure cacao drink for its gentle, warming, mood-lifting effects. These come mainly from theobromine, a mild stimulant — cacao is not a psychedelic.

Cannabis is a widely used plant whose main active compound, THC, produces relaxation, euphoria, and altered perception by acting on the body's endocannabinoid system. It is used recreationally, medicinally, and in some spiritual contexts, and — unlike the classic psychedelics — it can lead to dependence.

Coca leaves are the leaves of the South American shrub Erythroxylum coca, chewed or brewed as a mild stimulant for energy, appetite suppression and altitude sickness. The whole leaf is far milder than the isolated alkaloid cocaine derived from it.

DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a fast-acting psychedelic tryptamine found in many plants and animals. Smoked, it produces an intense, immersive experience lasting only minutes; taken orally in the Amazonian brew ayahuasca (with an MAO inhibitor), its effects last several hours.

Ibogaine is a long-acting psychoactive alkaloid from the West African iboga shrub, used traditionally in the Bwiti tradition of Gabon and studied in the West to interrupt opioid and other addictions. It produces a dream-like visionary state lasting more than a day — and carries a serious, potentially fatal risk of heart-rhythm disturbances.

Kambo is the dried skin secretion of the giant monkey frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), applied to small fresh skin burns in an Amazonian purification practice. It is not a psychedelic: it triggers an intense, short-lived physical reaction — flushing, vomiting, and a racing heart — and carries real, documented risks.

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that blocks NMDA glutamate receptors, producing detachment from the body, altered perception, and pain relief. It is widely used in medicine, increasingly studied as a rapid-acting antidepressant, and also used recreationally as 'Special K'.

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a semi-synthetic serotonergic psychedelic derived from ergot alkaloids. Active at microgram doses, it produces profound changes in perception, mood, and thought and is among the most potent psychoactive substances known.

MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) is a substituted amphetamine and entactogen closely related to MDMA. It produces emotional warmth and stimulation like MDMA but with stronger, more psychedelic-like perceptual effects and a notably longer duration.

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic entactogen — a substituted amphetamine that produces emotional warmth, empathy, and heightened sensory pleasure. Widely known recreationally as 'ecstasy' or 'molly', it is also being studied as an adjunct to psychotherapy.

Mescaline is a long-acting, naturally occurring psychedelic of the phenethylamine family, found in cacti such as peyote and San Pedro and also made synthetically. It produces rich visual and emotional effects over 10–12 hours and has one of the longest documented histories of ceremonial use of any psychedelic.

Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a small, slow-growing cactus of the Chihuahuan Desert whose principal psychoactive component is mescaline. Used ceremonially for thousands of years and central to the Native American Church, it produces a long, visionary experience and is now seriously threatened by over-harvesting.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in many species of mushroom (often called 'magic mushrooms'). The body converts it to psilocin, a serotonin 5-HT2A agonist, producing changes in perception, mood, and thought. It is a major focus of modern clinical research.

Rapé (pronounced ha-PEH) is an Amazonian shamanic snuff made mainly from potent tobacco, often blended with plant ashes, and blown forcefully into the nostrils. It is not a psychedelic: it produces a brief, intense, grounding rush followed by calm and focus, and — being tobacco-based — it contains nicotine.

Sananga is an Amazonian eye medicine made from the root bark of Tabernaemontana shrubs, applied as drops directly into the eyes. It is not a psychedelic: it causes a few minutes of intense burning, after which users report sharper vision and a sense of calm and focus.

San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi, also called wachuma) is a fast-growing Andean columnar cactus that contains mescaline. Used in Andean healing traditions for thousands of years, it produces a long, gentle psychedelic experience and is a far more sustainable mescaline source than peyote.

Tepezcohuite is the powdered bark of the Mexican tree Mimosa tenuiflora, used traditionally and in cosmetics as a topical remedy for burns, wounds and skin conditions. In this skin-care use it is not psychoactive.

Tobacco is a plant whose active compound, nicotine, is a fast-acting stimulant. It is sacred in many Indigenous American traditions — including potent ceremonial forms such as mapacho — yet in its everyday smoked form it is highly addictive and a leading cause of preventable disease and death.

Yopo is a psychedelic snuff made from the roasted seeds of the Anadenanthera peregrina tree, used ceremonially in South America for thousands of years. Its main active compound is bufotenin, a serotonergic tryptamine; effects come on within seconds, are physically intense, and are short-lived.