Buzz
Ever spotted an odd plant creeping up near your front door, or wondered how ancient tribes spent their wild weekend nights? This list dives into some truly strange substances that, depending on where you live, might be sprouting right under your nose, if not already in your garden.
Caution, though: some of these plants are among the most dangerous and horrifying substances out there. They’re best left alone unless you’re eager to risk an eyeball-popping frenzy from a mushroom trip. With that in mind, here are ten drugs that you could encounter growing in your own garden.
10. Sage of the Diviners
Salvia divinorum might look like just another common plant—it’s even related to mint. But if you were to toss a handful into a mojito, you’d be in for much more than you expected. This plant was once used by the Mazatec people of Oaxaca, who consider it a physical manifestation of the Virgin Mary.
A quick chew or puff of this plant leads to a rush of tingling, a loss of personal identity, and a hallucination of entities that creates an overlap of realities. Many users describe a profound connection to nature and a mood boost, but it can also cause intense dysphoria and a complete detachment from human connection. Quite the wild ride for a small leaf.
What’s even more intriguing is that in some countries, it’s actually legal (though most countries regulate its use). Salvia has gone viral on YouTube, with plenty of videos out there showing teenagers doing embarrassing things after indulging in it.
9. Nutmeg
You don’t even have to go out to your garden for this one; just a sprinkle on your apple pie might do the trick. Or maybe it won’t.
When taken in large enough quantities, this spicy substance is said to produce profound mind-altering effects. Whether snorted, smoked, or eaten, a high can last up to two days, accompanied by vivid hallucinations and incoherent babbling, much like the effects of LSD.
Sounds like a good time, right? Not exactly. Within 30 minutes, it triggers nausea and vomiting, and can cause severe heart problems if consumed in excess. People don’t usually dabble with this harmless-looking spice more than once—the risks quickly outweigh the trippy benefits.
One infamous incident involved a 29-year-old man and his 27-year-old wife, who were rushed to the hospital suffering from dizziness, nausea, and auditory distortions. Turns out, the husband had accidentally dumped a third of a jar of nutmeg into their pasta for their date night, leading to an almost fatal overdose for both of them.
8. Shrooms
Most people are familiar with ‘shrooms,’ also known as psilocybin mushrooms, beloved by 1970s hippies and curious teens alike. However, few know the full story behind these mushrooms. Evidence suggests that humans have been using hallucinogenic fungi for over 7,000 years, often as part of spiritual or religious ceremonies.
The first documented Western encounter with shrooms occurred in 1799, when four children were accidentally given them. After that experience, they probably never complained about their parents’ cooking again.
A trip on shrooms is often described as a ‘waking dream,’ where the mind shifts into a dream-like state. Many users report a deep sense of calm, peace, and self-acceptance. ‘Peace, love, and shrooms,’ you might say.
However, one particularly bizarre story about a man and his mushroom pizza might make you rethink any plans for a fungal adventure: After consuming a pizza loaded with shrooms in Vang Vieng, Laos, this unsuspecting traveler ended up locked in a hut for six hours, convinced he was a dead body surrounded by crickets.
7. Opium Poppy
Opium is derived from the seeds of a stunning flower by collecting its white sap. It’s a depressant commonly used in the creation of morphine and heroin. While it’s illegal to possess, growing the flower itself is not against the law—though many varieties have been bred to produce little to no opium.
The effects of opium include an uplifted mood and relief from pain or anxiety, making it one of the most addictive substances known, as its chemical composition mimics that of natural endorphins. Once hooked, users can become erratic, forgetful, and plagued by severe insomnia.
Deaths related to opium don’t just result from overdose, but also develop slowly over time through conditions like cancer, liver disease, and high blood pressure. The scariest part is that an overdose can mimic the high, with hallucinations and shallow breathing going unnoticed until it leads to coma and death.
There are numerous hybrid drugs, like Buddha, which combine opium with other substances like marijuana, posing an even greater risk to those who unknowingly take them.
6. Hell’s Bells
Also known by the less ominous name jimsonweed, this plant naturally grows in North America and has been used for centuries as a folk remedy. More recently, it has gained notoriety for its hallucinogenic and delirium-inducing effects. Reports suggest that its use encourages open-mindedness, creative thinking, and a free-flowing mindset.
What makes this seemingly harmless weed more frightening than acid is the ‘complete inability to differentiate reality from fantasy,’ according to the US Department of Agriculture. An account from Robert Beverley’s The History and Present State of Virginia (1705) tells of a group of soldiers who unknowingly gathered a large amount of the weed to mix into a salad. After consuming it, the results were a ‘very pleasant comedy,’ with one soldier kissing and pawing at his comrades, while another sat naked, grinning like a monkey. However, Beverley noted that ‘they would have wallowed in their own excrements, if they had not been prevented.’
If that doesn’t send a chill down your spine, be aware that the effects of this trip can last for days, leading to blindness, intense paranoia, and even heart attacks.
5. Cannabis
The vast majority of the world recognizes this simple plant, often consumed to induce deep relaxation, philosophical thought, and introspection. Legend has it that Bob Marley’s wife secretly placed a sprig of the plant in his coffin, and no one had the heart to remove it.
Its effects can linger for hours, leading to the inevitable onset of the munchies due to THC's interaction with the liver. Only about 10% of users develop a dependency on the drug, but long-term use can hinder your ability to focus and retain information.
Sadly, prolonged use of marijuana also raises the risk of developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Even more chilling is the rise of spiking: A young boy named Connor Eckhardt took a single puff of spice (also called K2), a drug often mistaken for cannabis or laced with it, and was declared brain-dead shortly afterward in the hospital.
4. Coca
This seemingly innocent shrub, native to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, is in fact the source of cocaine. For centuries, locals have chewed on its leaves to combat exhaustion and enhance their stamina, thanks to the euphoric effects of the drug.
When the leaves are processed, cocaine is extracted, one of the most widely known recreational drugs. Its euphoric effects, heightened mental clarity, and ability to alleviate fatigue make it popular among professionals, especially in high-pressure industries. While it's sometimes used as a local anesthetic in medical procedures, recreational cocaine use remains illegal. Some users find it enhances both mental and physical tasks, though others report adverse effects.
Toxic psychosis can occur when consumed in high doses, with users even experiencing the unsettling sensation of insects crawling under their skin. The greatest danger arises when cocaine is mixed with other substances, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which has contributed to a rise in overdose fatalities due to these lethal combinations.
Cocaine addiction often begins in high-stress environments, such as at university: It helps relieve the anxiety of tight deadlines and self-doubt, allowing the user to function at an inflated level. However, this temporary relief can quickly spiral into a full-blown addiction. Many become hooked within weeks, accumulating massive debt due to the drug’s high cost and its addictive nature. The glamorous portrayal of cocaine use among celebrities and supermodels is a facade, concealing its dark and dangerous consequences.
3. Devil’s Breath
If the name doesn’t deter you, the story certainly will. Known also as scopolamine, this drug is extracted from the Borrachero shrub's flower (Brugmansia aurea), native to South America. It's not intended for pleasure but used on the streets, blown into the faces of unsuspecting tourists or handed out on a business card soaked in the substance. The result is the victim becoming a lifeless puppet, mindlessly following commands with no memory afterward.
Devil's breath has been linked to thousands of crimes in South America. It causes complete loss of free will and amnesia, leaving its victims in a zombie-like trance, entirely susceptible to any suggestion. There have even been reports of people committing violent acts, like shooting others, solely because they were instructed to do so while under the influence.
Reports suggest it was used by the Nazis as a truth serum during interrogations, and similar drugs derived from the nightshade family were utilized by witches in the Middle Ages. This is certainly not the kind of substance you’d want to encounter on a casual stroll.
2. Banisteriopsis Caapi
The Banisteriopsis caapi vine is most often brewed into a drink known as ayahuasca, which attracts tourists in Peru seeking spiritual enlightenment. Many participants report experiencing a sensation of rebirth and a heightened sense of spirituality. Numerous online retreats offer ‘ayahuasca ceremonies’ that promise to uncover the complex, multidimensional nature of reality and help individuals access their true inner self.
Ayahuasca is viewed as a portal to the spiritual realm, with B. caapi being referred to as the ‘wisdom plant.’ It is also used in treating PTSD, depression, and addiction due to its purported ability to purge negativity and toxic emotions. However, this purging is often marked by vomiting and can cause motor function impairment and muscle spasms. Several tourists have tragically passed away, including one who died after a second visit to a shaman seeking enlightenment, during which the shaman administered a nettle punishment.
1. Philosopher’s Stones
The sclerotia of Psilocybe tampanensis, sometimes known as philosopher’s stones, are quite similar to magic mushrooms. Consuming them can lead to humorous realizations, deep personal reflection, and altered perceptions. They are incredibly rare in nature, with most specimens being clones of one discovered in Florida in 1977, and are mainly cultivated by amateurs and mycologists.
The effects of philosopher’s stones are difficult to predict, as they can be heavily influenced by factors like music, the people around you, and your environment. Common experiences include euphoria, enhanced color perception, and increased sensitivity to light. While philosopher’s stones themselves are generally not dangerous, there have been reports of fatalities, likely due to the potential for suicidal thoughts, depression, and vivid hallucinations.
