Other Hallucinogenic Substances: Atypical Agents and Others
Hallucinogenic substances outside the classic psychedelic and dissociative groups, including salvia, Amanita muscaria, ibogaine and anticholinergic plants, with how each acts and the risks.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Urgent first
If someone may have eaten an unknown plant or mushroom, or seems seriously unwell after taking any substance, call 911. In the US, Poison Help is 1-800-222-1222 (poison help by country and poisoning: what to do first). Some substances on this page can cause serious poisoning.Why an "other" group exists
Not every substance that changes perception fits the serotonin pattern of classic psychedelics or the glutamate pattern of dissociatives. The US National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) keeps an "other" group: drugs such as MDMA, ibogaine and salvia that affect a variety of brain functions to cause psychedelic and/or dissociative effects. [1] MDMA has its own page: Entactogens.On this site "atypical" is our own shorthand for natural substances that do not fit the classic serotonin pattern. It is not an official category.
Substances in this group
| Substance | Source | How it is described as acting | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salvinorin A | The sage Salvia divinorum | NIDA says salvia activates kappa opioid receptors. [1] A review calls salvinorin A the first highly selective non-nitrogenous kappa opioid receptor agonist. [2] | Salvia divinorum |
| Muscimol and ibotenic acid | The Amanita muscaria mushroom | A review describes ibotenic acid and muscimol as potent GABA agonists. [3] | Amanita muscaria |
| Ibogaine | Found in the African rainforest shrub Tabernanthe iboga [4] | NIDA says ibogaine affects a variety of brain receptors. [1] | Ibogaine |
| Atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine | Plants such as Datura stramonium | A case report describes poisoning from Datura stramonium as a severe anticholinergic syndrome. [5] | See below |
GABA is a different chemical messenger system from serotonin and glutamate. That is why these substances should not be described as acting through the same receptor system as classic psychedelics.
Salvia divinorum
The plant has been used for centuries by the Mazatec people, according to a pharmacology review, and its effects led researchers to the compound salvinorin A. [2] Traditional contexts are described on Salvia divinorum Traditional Contexts. Evidence of benefit in people: proper evidence not found in the sources read for this page; the review cited above is mostly about animal and pharmacology data.Amanita muscaria
Two published case reports describe serious toxicity from Amanita muscaria, including one death, and the authors conclude that ingestion should not be considered benign. [6] Another review identifies ibotenic acid and muscimol as the active components. [7] The sources read name ibotenic acid and muscimol, not psilocybin, as its active components. See Psilocybin Mushrooms vs Amanita.Ibogaine
NIDA states that ibogaine has been associated with a small number of reported deaths and serious effects, and that an analysis of studies from 2015 through 2020 linked ibogaine use to long QT syndrome, an irregular heart rhythm. [1] Iboga (the plant) and ibogaine (one compound) are not the same thing: see Iboga vs Ibogaine.Anticholinergic plants and "deliriants"
A 2024 qualitative study describes deliriants as the least studied class of hallucinogens, with effects such as dysphoria, hallucinations and substantial alterations in thought. [8] A case report from Romania describes a young man who was admitted in a coma after eating Datura stramonium, a plant containing atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine, and needed intensive care. [5] This site does not help identify plants. The practical message is that delirium from plant poisoning is a medical emergency, not a "different kind of psychedelic experience".Evidence labels
This page is classification and safety information. Where a use in people is claimed and no usable study was found the label is proper evidence not found. Preclinical would mean cells or animals only, and that is never presented here as a result in people.Education only
No amounts, identification keys, sourcing, preparation or use advice are given. For medicine interactions see how interactions work, and for mushroom and plant mix-ups see Poisoning and Misidentification.Frequently asked questions
Is salvia a classic psychedelic?
No. NIDA places salvia in its "other" group and says it activates kappa opioid receptors, not serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. [1]
Does Amanita muscaria contain psilocybin?
The sources read name ibotenic acid and muscimol, not psilocybin, as its active components. [7] Muscimol is described as a GABA agonist. [3]
Is Amanita muscaria harmless because it is traditional?
No. Case reports describe serious toxicity including a death, and the authors say ingestion should not be considered benign. [6]
What are deliriants?
A group of hallucinogens, the least studied, whose effects include dysphoria, hallucinations and big changes in thought. [8]
Is ibogaine safe?
NIDA says ibogaine has been associated with a small number of reported deaths and with long QT syndrome. [1]
References
- National Institute on Drug Abuse, Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs. Read 2026-10-22.
- Grundmann O et al. Salvia divinorum and salvinorin A: an update on pharmacology and analytical methodology. Planta Med. 2007;73(10):1039-46. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
- Okhovat A et al. Psychoactive Isoxazoles, Muscimol, and Isoxazole Derivatives from the Amanita (Agaricomycetes) Species: Review of New Trends in Synthesis, Dosage, and Biological Properties. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2023;25(9):1-10. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
- Litjens RP, Brunt TM. How toxic is ibogaine? Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2016;54(4):297-302. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
- Tranca SD, Szabo R, Cocis M. Acute poisoning due to ingestion of Datura stramonium - a case report. Rom J Anaesth Intensive Care. 2017;24(1):65-68. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
- Meisel EM et al. Two Cases of Severe Amanita Muscaria Poisoning Including a Fatality. Wilderness Environ Med. 2022;33(4):412-416. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
- Michelot D, Melendez-Howell LM. Amanita muscaria: chemistry, biology, toxicology, and ethnomycology. Mycol Res. 2003;107(Pt 2):131-46. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
- Dourron HM et al. A Qualitative Analysis of First-Hand Accounts of Diphenhydramine Misuse Available on YouTube. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2024;56(5):648-656. Read 2026-10-22 (abstract on PubMed).
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.