|
|
|
Menu |
Merry Meet and Welcome to The Paganus Website |
|
�Home |
Family: Convolvulaceae Common Names: Elephant Creeper, Wooly Morning Glory, Hawain Baby Woodrose. Occurrence: N/A Information: Argyreia nervosa, a climbing vine native to India, has large heart-shaped silvery foliage and can reach 10 meters in height. The plant is valued in ayurvedic medicine since antiquity, but shamanic use of Argyreia nervosa is unknown. The large, heart-shaped leaves are green above and downy white below. The seeds are both hallucinogenic and toxic. The funnel-shaped light purple flowers have deep purple throats. DO NOT TAKE WHEN PREGNANT! Effects: Euphoria, extreme lassitude, changes in visual and auditory perception, emotional disturbances and synaesthesias (phenomenon in which the senses become transmuted). Time and space perception are seriously altered. Autonomic effects: nausea, pupillary dilation, tremor, rise of blood pressure and body temperature. The duration is 5-8 hours after ingestion. 4-8 seeds produce psychedelic effects. The seeds can be ground and prepared as a cold-water infusion, but they can also be chewed. Chemistry: Argyreia nervosa seeds contain 0,3-1 % ergot-alkaloids by weight. Ergine (d-lysergic acid amide) and isoergine are present in significant amounts and are responsible for most of it's psychedelic effects. The active constituents bear a close chemical resemblance to the neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline and serotonine (these neurotransmitter regulate brainfunctions). The structurally similarity between these alkaloids and the transmitter molecules might explain the hallucinogenic activity by mutual influence on the active sites of the central nervous system. Modifiers: � Ascorbic acid ( vitamin c ) doesn't change the intensity of the experience, but it alters it's quality. One can concentrate better, developes less paranoia and is also less tired at the end of the experience. � MAO-inhibitors and sympathomimetic amines (amphetamine, ephedrine etc.) have positive synergistic effects; they prolong and intensify the experience. � Hashish or Marijuana can also intensify the experience. Usually produces a positive feeling. � Tricyclic-antidepressants antagonize the effects. |