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Natives of Papua New Guinea are known to use several species of entheogenic mushrooms (Psilocybe spp, Boletus manicus). [39] Pituri, also known as mingkulpa, [40] is a mixture of leaves and wood ash traditionally chewed as a stimulant (or, after extended use, a depressant) by Aboriginal Australians widely across the continent.
Entheogenic drugs have been used by various groups for thousands of years. There are numerous historical reports as well as modern, contemporary reports of indigenous groups using entheogens , chemical substances used in a religious , shamanic , or spiritual context.
The Aztec entheogenic complex is extremely well documented. Through historical evidence, there is proof that the Aztecs used several forms of psychoactive drugs. These drugs include Ololiuqui (the seed of Rivea corymbosa), Teonanácatl (translated as “mushroom of the gods", a psilocybe mushroom) and sinicuichi (a flower added to drinks).
This is a list of species and genera that are used as entheogens or are used in an entheogenic concoction (such as ayahuasca). For ritualistic use they may be classified as hallucinogens . The active principles and historical significance of each are also listed to illustrate the requirements necessary to be categorized as an entheogen.
There are many pieces of archaeological evidence in reference to the use of entheogens early in the history of Mesoamerica. Olmec burial sites with remains of the Bufo toad (Bufo marinus), Maya mushroom effigies, [dubious – discuss] and Spanish writings all point to a heavy involvement with psychoactive substances in the Aztec lifestyle.
Nicotiana rustica (Maya: piziet). Tobacco (Nicotiana spp.) contains the alkaloid nicotine, which affects the nervous system.Tobacco was smoked, inhaled, chewed, and occasionally mixed with the leaves of Datura, (another genus in the family Solanaceae, but, unlike Nicotiana, one rich in deliriant tropane alkaloids), which enhanced the hallucinogenic effect of the activity.
The sinologist and historian Joseph Needham concluded "the hallucinogenic properties of hemp were common knowledge in Chinese medical and Taoist circles for two millennia or more", [10] and other scholars associated Chinese wu (shamans) with the entheogenic use of cannabis in Central Asian shamanism.
Opiates are considered drugs with moderate to high abuse potential and are listed on various "Substance-Control Schedules" under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act of the United States of America. In 2014, between 13 and 20 million people used opiates recreationally (0.3% to 0.4% of the global population between the ages of 15 and 65).