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Peculiar Plants and Fantastic Fungi: An Ethnobotanical Study of the Use of Hallucinogenic Plants and Mushrooms in Slovenia

Summary

This research studied how people in Slovenia use naturally occurring hallucinogenic plants and mushrooms. The study found that most users were motivated by personal growth and spiritual development rather than recreational partying. Most began using these substances out of curiosity in their 20s, with magic mushrooms being the most commonly used. The study suggests we need a more nuanced understanding of how people use mind-altering substances. Impacts on everyday life: – Challenges stereotypes about drug users and their motivations – Demonstrates potential therapeutic applications of natural substances – Shows importance of proper education about natural medicines – Highlights need for evidence-based drug policies – Reveals ongoing relevance of traditional plant knowledge in modern society

Background

The use of hallucinogenic plants and fungi extends back thousands of years and has played an important role in human cultural development. After declining in the 1970s, these substances saw a revival in the 1990s, further strengthened by the spread of the internet. Their present usage is of great interest from medicinal, social, legal, and ethnobotanical perspectives.

Objective

The study aimed to examine patterns of use among hallucinogenic plant and mushroom users in Slovenia, documenting their motivations, methods, experiences and knowledge. The research sought to add to the literature on modern use of these substances and demonstrate that further investigation is warranted from multiple disciplines.

Results

The study documented use of 26 different plants, mushrooms, mixtures or products. Psilocybe species were most commonly used (91% of participants), followed by Salvia divinorum (23.5%) and ayahuasca (14.7%). Curiosity was the primary motivation for initial use, with most people beginning in their 20s. The internet played a major role in users first learning about these substances. Dosing methods and settings varied widely, as did knowledge of dangers and natural occurrence.

Conclusion

The study found that contrary to public perceptions associating mind-altering substances with problematic drug use and partying, the majority of participants demonstrated interest in experiencing the effects for personal growth, overcoming difficulties, and spiritual development. The research suggests a need to move beyond viewing all drug use as problematic toward a more nuanced, science-based approach to understanding altered states of consciousness.
  • Published in:PLoS One,
  • Study Type:Ethnobotanical Survey,
  • Source: 10.1371/journal.pone.0245022
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