Peculiar plants and fantastic fungi: An ethnobotanical study of the use of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms in Slovenia

Abstract

The present study examined the patterns of use among a sample of 68 users of hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms in Slovenia. In compiling the lists of all the participants, 26 different plants/mushrooms, mixtures, or products were found to have been used. The main reason for beginning to use these substances was curiosity, and most people began using them in their 20s. The most used were Psilocybe spp., being mentioned by approximately 91% of the participants; 50% of the respondents in the study had made use of no other natural hallucinogens besides these. Many of the plants or mushrooms were used only a small number of times. No matter what items had been used, the internet often played a role in first hearing about them. Dosing and the means of using the various hallucinogens were often quite varied, as were the settings where they were taken. Knowledge of the dangers of these hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms as well as their occurrence in nature were likewise vastly varied. Though public opinion often associates the use of mind-altering substances with problematic drug use and partying, the majority of the individuals interviewed seemed to present a greater desire to experience the interesting effects, to overcome personal difficulties, and for individual and spiritual growth.

Pipes and Potions: Testing the Efficacy of European Folk Preparation Methods for Anticholinergic Solanaceae Plants

“…Unguents made from plants containing these alkaloids have been well-known since antiquity in Europe for use against a range of ailments, such as ulcers, gout, sores, inflammation, joint and muscle pain, and even male infidelity, to name a but a few; though such ointments were traditionally made from animal fat, coconut oil was mentioned by some who have employed these sorts of unguents in modern times [ 11 , 19 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Perhaps the most famous stories of these unguents, however, are about their uses in medieval witchcraft as flying ointments.…”

“…The fortifying of wine with Solanaceae plants containing tropane alkaloids has an extensive history in Europe for medicinal, ceremonial, and recreational purposes; extending back as far as ancient Greece, this tradition is still seen to a lesser extent today [ 11 , 19 , 24 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ].…”

“…Each used deodorised coconut oil brought up to 80 °C, which was then allowed to continue cooking on the burner for either 10, 20, or 30 min once the plant material (root powder) was added. Coconut oil was chosen in accordance with information gained from ethnographic interviews from a previous project in our working group [ 11 ]. The mixtures were then immediately filtered and left overnight in order to simulate the process of making an unguent.…”

“…Three samples were prepared to simulate the cooking of wine fortified with anticholinergic plants in accordance with historical records and ethnographic interviews from previous work in our research group [ 11 ]. 50 mL samples of 11.5% Refosco red wine (Vinakoper, Slovenia) were brought to 80 °C before having 0.25 g of root powder added and then being cooked for 10, 20, or 30 min.…”

“…Scopolia carniolica Jacq., the plant used in this present research, is used extensively in industry today as a source of tropane alkaloids for industrial extraction [ 9 ]. In addition to this, however, it is also known to have been used as an intoxicant in Europe, a traditional practice that continued at least into the last century in the Baltic nations and that continues in Slovenia and other parts of Europe to a certain extent even now [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. This plant is also known to have a history of medicinal use, having been employed in Slovenia for the treatment of skin problems and in the Baltic nations as an anti-paralytic and abortifacient [ 10 , 13 ].…”