Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is native to the Chihuahuan desert in North America. Archeological evidence supports its use by indigenous peoples for at least 5,500 years. Traditionally deployed in rituals and ceremonies, its principle phytochemical mescaline – a potent hallucinogen – is under scientific study for use in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and […]

In 2025, I had the opportunity to assist with a project involving iboga (Tabernanthe iboga), an evergreen shrub native to western equatorial Africa known for its hallucinogenic and oneirogenic (dream-producing) effects. The bark and root of iboga contain alkaloids including the phytochemical ibogaine, which despite risky side-effects, can alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms. Ibogaine and its

Years ago, during my post-doctoral studies, I worked on projects involving plant-derived amphetamine analogs from Ma Huang (Ephedra sinica) and khat (Catha edulis). This work entailed travel to Newe-Ya’ar Research Centre in Israel during the summer of 2011, hosted by Dr. Efraim Lewinsohn and his team. We were introduced to khat (Catha edulis), which is