Psychoactive plants in Poland have been known for centuries, but in practice, they are not always easy to come across. Their characteristic feature is the presence of specific substances that induce various psychedelic and hallucinogenic experiences. These plants were used for both medicinal purposes and during various spiritual rituals. Some of them have stimulating or energizing effects, while others can cause relaxation and increase pain resistance.
What psychoactive plants are known in Poland?
Psychoactive plants in Poland are often associated with hallucinogenic mushrooms, however, in practice, they should not be classified into this group. Their limited presence in our region is also significant. In Poland, Psilocybe semilanceata occasionally occurs, which indeed contains certain psychoactive substances. Such compounds are also present in Psilocybe cubensis. This variety does not occur in Poland, and its cultivation remains illegal. However, it is possible to possess its mycelium, which is available in grow kits offered by our online store Shroom.it.
Opium poppy
One of the most commonly mentioned Polish psychoactive plants is the opium poppy, or Papaver somniferum. The raw material obtained from it is opium, which is the sap that flows out after cutting immature poppy heads. This substance is characterized by a complex chemical composition, and the alkaloids contained in it constitute up to 25% of its mass. Morphine is mainly responsible for the psychoactive effect, and to some extent also codeine. Opium has euphoric and calming properties, and also reduces pain perception. As a substitute for this substance, the milky sap of another plant occurring in Poland, namely wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa), was often used.
Greater celandine
Chelidonium majus, or greater celandine, also occurs in Poland. This plant belongs to the ruderal group and has a characteristic yellow sap, and its root was treated for many centuries as a panacea for all ailments. The herb contains many alkaloids, such as sanguinarine and protopine, with mild narcotic effects. Unfortunately, the calming properties of celandine only manifest themselves in toxic doses, which lead to severe gastrointestinal disorders. Greater celandine is a highly poisonous plant.
Deadly nightshade
An important representative of native psychoactive plants is deadly nightshade, or Atropa belladonna. This shrub is characterized by black, highly eye-catching fruits. Deadly nightshade most often grows on forest edges and is under strict protection in Poland, and occasionally occurs in the mountains and in the Subcarpathian region. The whole plant serves as a raw material, but the fruits are the richest in active compounds. They contain, among others, atropine, apoatropine, L-hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, which cause euphoria, motor stimulation, hallucinations and delusions, and even uncontrolled fits of rage.
Jimsonweed
Jimsonweed, or Datura stramonium, is quite widespread in Poland. This plant belongs to the nightshade family and most likely originates from Mexico. Its leaves and seeds contain tropane alkaloids such as apoatropine, atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, as well as numerous flavonoids and tannins. Jimsonweed causes strong hallucinations when consumed, as it has a stimulating effect on the central nervous system and at the same time a paralyzing effect on the peripheral parasympathetic system.
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