Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

4/20/2010

Fly Agaric mushrooms are some of the most ancient old world hallucinogens. The Fly Agaric has appealing properties, which include hallucination effects, which distort the senses and produce “experiences that depart from reality” (Anderson). These mushrooms grow in the “North Temperature regions of both hemispheres, but those of the western hemisphere are not psycho-active” (Anderson). Fly Agaric mushrooms have been used as a substitute for morphine, producing similar effects, but are supposedly not habit forming. This fungus is the only hallucinogen known to pass through the kidneys unchanged, therefore Siberian Chuckee Indians sometimes drink there urine after ingesting the mushroom to recycle the trip. The consumption of Fly Agaric mushrooms date back as early as 1500 BCE, when mentioned in the Rig Veda, under the name Soma, for its psychoactive properties. There are several differencing accounts of the effects of Fly Agaric. It is considered a poison by some, but there are no reported deaths contributed to the consumption of Fly Agaric. Some accounts with Fly Agaric mushrooms include nausea and vomiting, hallucination, and a feeling of a departure from reality and tweaked perception. A more new age mushroom hallucinogen is the species psilocybe, which contains the alkaloids psilocybin and psilocin, which contain psycho-active properties.

White Potato

4/18/2010

Solanum tuberosum, more commonly known as the white potato, is native to South America; but strives in a variety of regions. Potatoes belong to the nightshade family and can produce a toxic alkaloid if exposed to sunlight during growth. Potatoes are a great crop to grow because they are a root crop. Root crops are not susceptible to natural disasters such as hurricanes because they grow below the earth. Potatoes also provide high doses of carbohydrates, thus providing for a filling meal. Potatoes are not only used as a food, but are also used as a starch and an ingredient in the production of alcohol, such as vodka. Potatoes are of course used in the production of potato chips and French fries. But potatoes are not a significant source of protein. Potatoes yields per acre are significantly higher than that of cereal crops such as wheat, rice, and corn. Although the potato is considered a root crop, it is not actually a root, but rather an underground stem, or tuber. The modern day potatoes are tetraploids.
The Irish relied heavily on the potato due to its inexpensive nature and fairly small quantity of land needed to cultivate. When the disease, potato blight, infested most potatoes in 1845 it caused the Great Irish Famine, in which an estimated 1.5 million died from starvation.

Ginseng-the cure all

Panax ginseng is the closest thing to a cure-all potion. The root extract is taken to stimulate the mind and body, add energy, and give a sense of well-being. Ginseng root is a remedy that helps treat a number of ailments, including tuberculosis, coughs, nausea, diabetes, indigestion , diarrhea, kidney degeneration, gout, and rheumatism. Ginseng is also believed by some to lower blood sugar, lower cholesterol, prevent stress, enhance strength, and stimulate the midbrain, vessels, and heart. Ginseng usually requires 2-3 years to develop into a marketable size. An optimal condition for ginseng is a fairly constant temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit, 40-50 inches of annual rainfall, and 70-90 percent of shade. Research suggests ginseng promotes a reduced mortality and morbidity rate when exposed to extreme temperatures. Ginseng has stimulant properties, but has no noted undesirable side effects.

Peyote

3/31/10

Lophophora williamsii, more commonly known as peyote, is a spineless cactus native to Mexico and the Southwest United States. Peyote contains several psychedelic alkaloids, most notably, mescaline. Mescaline is also found in the San Pedro cactus. The mescaline content in peyote ranges from about .04-6 percent. The part of the cactus growing above the ground, referred to as the “crown”, is made up of disc like buttons. These buttons are usually ingested or brewed into teas. When ingested, peyote can create mental effects, including altered states of feeling and perception. Peyote is described to have dream-like effects and tend to encourage introvert experiences. Peyote is an entheogen, a psychoactive substance used in religious ceremonies. Peyote has been used by indigenous American for religious and medicinal purposes for at least five and a half thousand years. Peyote is prohibited by federal law unless it is part of a “bonafide religious ceremony.” Many authors of the beat generation wrote about their experiences with peyote, including Allen Ginsburg. Ginsburg’s poem “Howl” was said to be inspired by his use of peyote. “A 2005 paper published in Biological Psychiatry outlines research into peyote use conducted by Dr. John Halpern. He found that peyote users scored significantly better than non-users on the "general positive affect" and "psychological well-being" measures of the Rand Mental Health Inventory (RMHI), a standard instrument used to diagnose psychological problems and determine overall mental health. By contrast, alcohol abusers did significantly worse than the control group (non-users) in all measures of the RMHI.”

Venus Flytrap

3/17/10
Venus flytrap

Dionaea muscipula, also known as Venus flytraps, have adapted to boggy areas of nutrient poor soil. Venus flytrap’s are carnivorous plants that use hairs on the surface of its leaves, which act as triggers, to spring a trap for their prey. The prey’s struggle only stimulates the trap tighter. Once a prey is trapped, digestive acids then form from glands on the leaf, and the prey is dissolved. The Dionaea muscipula is found in the swamps of the Carolina’s and requires a dormant period of 30-40 degrees, as the Carolina’s would provide around the winter season.