10 Natural Plants That Can Get You High

The majority of us think that Cannabis is the only natural growing plant that people use around the world to get high. Most people don’t realize other plants can have the same effects when consumed. Here’s our list of 10 naturally cultivated plants that can get you high.

Note: We suggest you take our word for it! Experimenting with the below plants is not recommended.



1) Salvia divinorum

Salvia divinorum is a plant that many know as “sage”. But this sage is not the spices you use to cook with. Salvia, as many have shortened it, is a natural plant that has long since been known to create visions in the users mind. This plant is just over a meter high and has incredibly large leaves as well. Sometimes, you can find white or purple flowers growing on the stems as well.



2) Damiana

Damiana is a small shrub style plant that has numerous flowers that give off very aromatic smells. This plant is usually mixed into a tea form, but it can also be made into a sugary form as well. It is said that the aromatic smells caused by the plants give a “relaxed” feeling almost immediately. Another form that this plant can be made into is incense. The incense gives off the smell causing the calming effect as well. Damiana is also be used more and more as a spice blend.



3) Blue Lotus

This plant is also known as “Sacred Blue Lily”. Its origins come from the Nile River and many other locations in East Africa. Many refer to this plant as the “spiked plant”; not just because of its blue and white spiked petals, but because it is said to give the same type of effects as a sedative, yet also increase your conscious awareness. It is said that your sense will be heightened and at the same time you feel a sense of peace and tranquility. These days, the effects of blue lotus can be felt through many teas, wines, and martinis.



4) Wild Dagga

This particular plant also has the distinction of being called “Lion’s Tail”. This name definitely comes from the fact that the tips of this plant look exactly like lion’s tails. Drying the leave and smoking them can cause effects that are very calming and soothing. There are a number of things that can result from smoking Wild Dagga like irritation of the lungs and throat, dizziness, euphoria, and changes in your vision. It is not known just how many side effects can actually come from smoking this plant, but the list seems to keep growing rapidly.



5) Channa

Also known as “Kanna”, this plant originates from South Africa. This is a plant that has been around for literally thousands of years. As far back as records show, this plant was used a mood changing substance. There are many ways in which this plant has been consumed. In earlier times the plant was crush and then chewed, like chewing tobacco, and the saliva was then swallowed. These days you can find many forms of this plant with teas and certain gel caps that are predominantly made. This plant like many others, gives you a very calmed effect and is said that any presence of stress is eliminated quickly. In higher doses, it is believed that this plant can cause a state of euphoria.



6) Nutmeg

Nutmeg has been a plant that has been around for quite a number of years. This plant is not just used in making foods, but it also has many hallucinogenic qualities when in different forms. The seeds that are produced by this plant are actually the cause of these qualities. Just eating a few of these seeds can almost instantly give you a state of euphoria. While this feeling may seem good at the time, there are some side effects to this that not many people have been able to stand. Severe cases of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea have all been linked to the eating of nutmeg seeds, in large quantities. After trying to sleep this one off, you may still feel some effects like extreme tiredness, even if you just woke up from a great nights sleep. In some people, insomnia has formed.



7) Morning Glory

Morning glories, or rather their seeds, have long since been known as hallucinogenic substances. Generally the effects come from simply chewing the seeds, but there are more ways in which they can be ingested. They can be soaked in water for extended periods of time, crushed into a paste and eaten. Soaking them for a few days will cause them to sprout. Many people have said that once they sprout they seem to be more potent.



8) Hawaiian Baby Woodrose

This is another plant in which the seeds are the ones that give the effects. The seeds are actually contained within pods with thick coatings. There are about five seeds to each pod. Pods from this plant usually require a lot of work to get into them, but once you have opened them, you can chew the seeds found inside. There have been many reports of nausea from this seed, but that is pretty much the only side effect that has been brought to anyone’s attention.



9) Passion Flower

Passion flowers have, in recent years, been found to create certain mind-altering effects. It is not actually the flower part of the plant that creates these illusions, but the stem and roots. The calming effects by this plant can also come from eating large amounts of the fruit it creates. Passion flowers can have many different color pets like reds and purples and each plant can look completely different from the next. The dried leaves of the plant have been known to have calming effects that often result in sleeping states.



10) Wild Lettuce

Wild lettuce is very different from your everyday garden lettuce variety. Wild lettuce has long and thing stems. The stems, themselves, have been said to have effects that are much like poppies, but not as strong. There may be a calm and slight euphoric state, but the effects do not go much further than this. The chambers in the stem are what actually hold the calming substance.



Source

READ MORE»

Top 8 Awesome Octopuses

Like all cephalopods, octopuses (and yes, that is the correct pluralization of the word) are amazing and fascinating creatures. They are among the most intelligent invertebrates (if not the THE most intelligent), and experiments have shown that they have both short-term and long-term memory and can solve puzzles and mazes. The complex octopus nervous system also accounts for their lightning-fast reflexes, keen eyesight, and astounding camouflage abilities.

The earliest known octopus fossil dates from the Carboniferous period approximately 296 million years ago, and today there are around 300 known species. Octopuses inhabit all of the world’s oceans—from shallow tide pools to the abyssal plains.

Here are eight cool species:



1. Enteroctopus dofleini

Common name: North Pacific Giant Octopus

Inhabiting the chilly waters of the northern Pacific is the mighty Enteroctopus dofleini. With a scientifically verified record weight of 71 kg (156.5 lb), it is generally considered the world’s largest octopus. (Although the rare Seven-Arm Octopus may hold a legitimate claim on that title.) A more typical size for an adult Giant Octopus is around 15 kg (33 lb), with an arm span of up to 4.3 m (14 ft)—still significantly larger than just about any other kind of octopus. Their diet consists of crustaceans, bivalves, and fish, and they have even been observed preying on sharks! With an average life span of 4-5 years, the North Pacific Giant Octopus is actually one of the longest lived octopus species.



2. Thaumoctopus mimicus

Common name: Mimic Octopus

Unknown to science until its discovery in Indonesian waters in 1998, T. mimicus has been observed mimicking both the movements and physical aspects of as many as 15 different species. I’d go into more detail, but you really should just watch the video. The typical coloration of a Mimic Octopus is white and reddish-brown stripes, and the they can grow up to 2 feet in length.



3. Hapalochlaena sp.

Common name: Blue-ringed Octopus

The genus Hapalochlaena, which consists of at least three species, is found in tide pools across the western Pacific ocean. The common name of this octopus obviously comes from its striking coloration—blue rings (and stripes in one species) on bright yellow. It’s a good thing that these little octopuses are marked so vividly because they are one of the most venomous creatures in the world. Although it has been recently found that all octopuses (as well as cuttlefish, and some squid) are venomous, only the Blue-ringed Octopus is deadly to humans. Despite their tiny size (the largest species only grow to about 5 inches), a single individual contains enough venom to kill as many as 26 adult humans. For those unlucky enough to be bitten, death from respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest can come in a matter of minutes, and there is no known antivenin.



4. Argonauta sp.

Common name: Argonaut, Paper Nautilus

Argonauts live in the open ocean in tropical and sub-tropical waters world-wide. Unlike most other kinds of octopus, Argonauts live near the surface, and in Classical times it was believed that they used their specialized shell-secreting arms as sails. It is their shells, which are actually egg cases produced by the female Argonaut, that give them their other common name: Paper Nautilus. Despite the uncanny visual similarity to the shells of the Chambered Nautilus and those of extinct ammonites, the Argonaut egg case is very different biologically (and mineralogically) from a true shell. Interestingly, the Chambered Nautilus was so named because of its apparent similarity to the Argonaut, even though we now consider the former to be the “true” Nautilus. There are at least six extant species of Argonaut, with several more known from the fossil record.



5. Grimpoteuthis sp.

Common name: Dumbo Octopus

Belonging to the Octopus suborder Cirrina, the genus Grimpoteuthis consists of over a dozen rare and poorly-known species, all of which are found in the extreme depths of the ocean. They are small, not getting much bigger than 20 cm (8 in), and their common name comes from the ear-like pair of fins (present in all cirrate octopuses, but generally larger in the Dumbos) which are used to assist locomotion the same way a squid uses its fins. Like other cirrate octopuses, the arms of the Dumbo Octopus are completely webbed, and they also retain an internal shell, something the more common incirrate octopuses (i.e. every other kind of octopus) have lost entirely. Dumbo Octopuses spend their time either sitting on the sea floor, or swimming just above it searching for food.



6. Amphioctopus marginatus

Common name: Coconut Octopus, Veined Octopus

Inhabiting sandy the bottoms of tropical lagoons of the western Pacific, A. marginatus often hides from potential predators by building itself a protective fortress out of debris from its environment. It seems to be particularly partial to coconut shells, and that’s the reason why one of its common names is the Coconut Octopus. (The other name is a reference to its dark vein-like color pattern.) In recent years, the Coconut Octopus has been observed walking bipedally. In one instance, one was seen to literally run across the sea floor on two arm while the rest of its body mimicked the shape and texture of a coconut! (The same report also includes a video of an individual of another species—Abdopus aculeatus—which was filmed walking backwards on two arms while adopting a posture reminiscent of floating algae.)



7. Tremoctopus sp.

Common name: Blanket Octopus

Behold the beautiful and otherworldly Blanket Octopus. Like the Argonauts (to which they are closely related), they live near the ocean’s surface, and can be found in both tropical and subtropical waters. There are four known species (the one depicted here is apparently T. gracilis, aka the Palmate Octopus), all of which share the same astounding anatomical and behavioral traits unique to this genus. Let’s begin with the name. As should be obvious from the image above, the female Blanket Octopus has two arms (the dorsal and dorsolateral, if you want to get technical about it) which are significantly longer than the rest and are connected to two other arms by a massive sheet-like membrane (the webbing is absent from the other four arms). It seems this “blanket” is unfurled when the animal feels threatened, presumably to make it appear bigger to any potential predator. Young individuals practice an altogether different defensive strategy. Apparently immune to the venom, they have been observed to carry pieces of the stinging tentacles of the Portuguese Man o’ War. The Blanket Octopus also exhibits one of the most extreme examples of sexual dimorphism of any animal: males, at 2.4 cm (or smaller), are minute, while the females can exceed 2 m in length.



8. Vulcanoctopus hydrothermalis

Common name: N/A

Vulcanoctopus is the only known cephalopod adapted to life in hostile hyrothermal vent environments. This little, and little-known, octopus lacks chromatophores (the specialized cells that give most octopuses the ability to change their color almost instantaneously) and pigment of any kind. Its eyes have greatly reduced functionality, perhaps even a complete loss of function, as they show no reaction to light when encountered in the wild. They are known to eat amphipods and have been observed hunting vent crabs.


Source

READ MORE»

Strange Creatures

Axolotl


The axolotl, Ambystoma mexicanum, is a neotenic salamander, closely related to the Tiger Salamander. Larvae of this species fail to undergo metamorphosis, so the adults remain aquatic and gilled. It is also called ajolote (which is also a common name for different types of salamander). The species originates from numerous lakes, such as Lake Xochimilco underlying Mexico City. Axolotls are used extensively in scientific research due to their ability to regenerate limbs.



Thaumatichthys axeli

In the bituminous blackness of the deep sea, what an alluring sight to a fish must be the luminescent organ dangling from the toothy jaws of Thaumatichthys axeli, "Prince Axel's wonder-fish." The first specimen of this black, 18-inch bottom-dweller was trawled from a depth of 11,778 feet in the Atlantic by the Galathea expedition of 1950-52. The voyage's chronicler deemed the find "unquestionably the strangest catch of the Galathea expedition, and altogether one of the oddest creatures in the teeming variety of the fish world."



Sea Pig

These creatures live on or just underneath the surface of the very bottom of the ocean, on the abyssal plain. Called "sea pigs", they are a type of sea cucumber, which is a member of the same phylum as starfish and sea urchins (Echinoderms). They look and act kind of like slugs do up here on land. They feed on the mud of the sea floor, benefiting from the organic materials that settle to the ocean bottom. Sea cucumbers, starfish and sea urchins can be found in all depths of the ocean. For reasons scientists don't yet understand, members of the phylum Echinodermata (like the sea pigs) are extremely successful down in the ocean depths.



Saki Monkey

Sakis, or saki monkeys, are any of several New World monkeys of the genus Pithecia. They are closely related to the bearded sakis of genus Chiropotes. Sakis' range includes northern and central South America, extending from the south of Colombia, over Peru, in northern Bolivia. and into the central part of Brazil.



Dracula Fish

One of the world's meanest-looking species, the sabre-tooth dracula fish also lays claim as one of the most challenging freshwater sportfish. Broken lines, battered lures, and shattered rods attest to the sheer strength of these menacing predators, making it the ultimate quarry for both the fly and plug anglers.



Star-Nosed Mole

With a mug like that, the star-nosed mole might seem to be in danger of scaring away all its food. Luckily, these bizarre-looking creatures can detect a snack and gulp it down all under a quarter of a second.

"Most predators take times ranging from minutes to seconds to handle their prey," said Ken Catania of Vanderbilt University. "The only things I've found that come even close are some species of fish."

The secret to the mole's impressive foraging ability is the 22 appendages that ring its nose. Nearly blind, the animal uses this sensitive, star-shaped flesh to feel around in its dark, underground environment. This mysterious mole has moves that put the best magician to shame: The energetic burrower can detect small prey animals and gulp them down with a speed that is literally too fast for the human eye to follow.



Myzopoda schliemanni

Scientists have discovered a new species of bat that has large flat adhesive organs, or suckers, attached to its thumbs and hind feet. This is a remarkable find because the new bat belongs to a Family of bats endemic to Madagascar--and one that was previously considered to include only one rare species.



Giant Grenadier

The giant grenadier, Albatrossia pectoralis , is a very large rattail, the only member of the genus Albatrossia, found in the north Pacific from northern Japan to the Okhotsk and Bering seas, east to the Gulf of Alaska, and south to northern Baja California in Mexico, at depths of between 140 and 3,500 m. Its length is up to 2.1 m. The giant grenadier has the usual greatly elongated pointed tail of the rattails.



Racoon Dogs

Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) are native to Japan, southeastern Siberia and Manchuria. Average adult head and body length is about 65 cm (2 ft) and weight ranges from 4 to 10 kg (9 to 22 lb). Average litters consist of 5 pups. Longevity is 3–4 years in the wild and up to 11 years in captivity.



Giant Otter

Giant otters may be as long as 2 metres (6 ft.) and weigh up to 30 kilos (70 lbs.)



Yeti Crab

The creature, dubbed the "yeti crab," is so unusual that a whole new family of animal had to be created to classify it. Its official name is Kiwa hirsuta, and even after a year of study scientists say there's still much about it they don't understand.

One mystery is the purpose of the fine, hairlike filaments that coat the crab's arms and legs. The fibers trap bacteria, which the crab may use as food. But some scientists think the germs may filter out the toxic minerals that spew from the deep-sea vents.



Fangtooth

Fangtooths are beryciform fish of the family Anoplogastridae (sometimes spelled "Anoplogasteridae") that live in the deep sea. The name is from Greek anoplo meaning "unarmed" and gaster meaning "stomach". With a circumglobal distribution in tropical and cold-temperate waters, the family contains only two very similar species, in one genus, with no known close relatives: the common fangtooth, Anoplogaster cornuta, found worldwide; and the shorthorned fangtooth, Anoplogaster brachycera, found in the tropical waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.



Pelican Eel

The pelican eel or Eurypharynx pelecanoides is a deep-sea fish rarely seen by humans, though the creatures are occasionally snagged in fishermen's nets.The pelican eel's most notable feature is its enormous mouth, much larger than its body. The mouth is loosely-hinged, and can be opened wide enough to swallow a fish much larger than itself.



Chimaeras

This strange cartilaginous fish uses its long snout to scan over the sea floor for the electrical impulses of its prey that bury in the muddy sea floor, just like a metal detector. Like other chimaeras (such as ghost and elephant sharks), these animals lay horny egg cases in which their young are left to develop, potentially for up to one year. For defense, most chimaeras have a venomous spine located in front of the dorsal fin.



Tripod Fish


Long extensions of three of this deep sea fish's fins allow it to stand on the ocean bottom where it waits for small crustaceans to drift towards it. The three elongated fins of the tripod fish may extend to nearly one meter (3 ft 3 in) in length.



Giant Salamander

The Japanese Giant Salamander (Andrias japonicus) reaches up to 1.44 m (4 ft 9 in), feeds on fish and crustaceans, and can live for up to 80 years. The Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus) can reach a length of 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in).



Oarfish


The rarely seen king of herrings is the world's longest bony fish and has been documented to 41 feet in length, with reports to 50 feet, and 600 pounds. Its head and body is silver with blue streaks, with blackish streaks and spots on the body. The Oarfish (as it is also known as) is a relatively obscure fish that is reported to move vertically through the water in a column and is found between 3,300 feet deep and the surface.



Mekong Giant Catfish


Attaining an unconfirmed length of 3m (9+ft), the Mekong giant catfish grows extremely quickly, reaching a mass of 150 to 200kg in only six years. The largest catch recorded in Thailand since record-keeping began in 1981, was a female measuring 2.7 m (roughly 9ft) in length and weighing 293 kg(646 lb). This specimen, caught in 2005, is widely recognized as the largest freshwater fish ever caught.



Bigfin Squid

The bigfin squids are a group of rarely seen cephalopods with a very distinctive morphology.The family is known only from larval, paralarval, and juvenile specimens, but some authorities believe the adult creature has been seen: Several videos have been taken of animals nicknamed the "long-arm squids", which appear to have a similar morphology. Since none of the adult specimens have ever been captured or sampled, it remains uncertain if they are the same genus, or only distant relatives



Vampire Squid

The Vampire Squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis, lit. "vampire squid from hell") is a small, deep-sea cirrate cephalopod. The Vampire Squid is an extreme example of a deep-sea cephalopod, thought to reside at aphotic (lightless) depths from 600-900 metres (2,000-3,000 feet) or more. Within this region of the world's oceans is a discrete habitat known as the oxygen minimum zone (OMZ). In order to cope with life in the suffocating depths, vampire squid have developed several radical adaptations.



Dumbo Squid


Belonging to the Octopus suborder Cirrina, the genus Grimpoteuthis consists of over a dozen rare and poorly-known species, all of which are found in the extreme depths of the ocean. They are small, not getting much bigger than 20 cm (8 in), and their common name comes from the ear-like pair of fins (present in all cirrate octopuses, but generally larger in the Dumbos) which are used to assist locomotion the same way a squid uses its fins. Like other cirrate octopuses, the arms of the Dumbo Octopus are completely webbed, and they also retain an internal shell, something the more common incirrate octopuses (i.e. every other kind of octopus) have lost entirely. Dumbo Octopuses spend their time either sitting on the sea floor, or swimming just above it searching for food.



Megamouth Shark

The Megamouth shark is an extremely rare and unusual species of deepwater shark. Discovered in 1976, only a few have ever been seen and only three recordings of it are on film.



Source

READ MORE»