What Is Mulungu?
Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects
Mulungu (Piper methysticum) is a tropical tree native to South America. It grows up to 25 feet tall with large leaves that are 2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The bark contains various alkaloids such as psilocybin, ibotenic acid, and bufotenin.
It is used as a hallucinogen in folk medicine and traditional Ayurvedic medicines. Its effects include hallucinations, euphoria, relaxation, increased energy levels, decreased anxiety levels and other positive effects.
The main active ingredient in mulungu is psilocin which is a psychoactive chemical found in Psilocybe mushrooms. It produces its effects through serotonin receptors. The drug is not known to cause physical dependence or addiction like many other drugs.
It may produce some unpleasant side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and sweating. However it does not seem to have any negative health consequences.
In the past mulungu was used medicinally but nowadays it is mainly consumed recreationally due to its low cost and availability in most parts of the world. Most commonly known as “kava” or “kava kava” this drug is usually mixed with water and consumed orally. However it can also be smoked or taken as a tincture.
It is only mildly addictive but it can produce strong cravings if consumed on a regular basis. Due to its potent nature and low cost, it is sometimes used as a substitute for the more expensive cocaine or ecstacy. This however, can lead to adverse health effects and even death in extreme cases.
Mulungu is available in most parts of the world but its effects vary with each person due to differences in sensitivity and tolerance. It is usually sold at a low price since it is accessible in most countries. Most people consume mulungu in a powder form by mixing it with water or sometimes juice.
The taste is bitter and can be masked by mixing various flavours with it such as orange, lemon, apple or mint. In some instances, it is also mixed with other drugs such as cocaine or LSD for a more intense and pleasurable experience.
So there you have it!
Now you know What Is Mulungu?
Benefits, Uses, and Side Effects.
Do you have any experience with mulungu?
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Sources & references used in this article:
Effect of Erythrina mulungu on anxiety during extraction of third molars by ML Silveira-Souto, CR São-Mateus… – … oral, patologia oral y …, 2014 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Phytochemical and mutagenic analysis of leaves and inflorescences of Erythrina mulungu (Mart. Ex Benth) through micronucleus test in rodents. by AP De Bona, MCP Batitucci, MA Andrade… – Revista Brasileira de …, 2012 – cabdirect.org
Mulungu–Rainforest Anxiolytic by P Jiri – Anxiety and Related Disorders, 2011 – books.google.com
Effect of acute treatment with a water-alcohol extract of Erythrina mulungu on anxiety-related responses in rats by GM Onusic, RL Nogueira, AMS Pereira… – Brazilian Journal of …, 2002 – SciELO Brasil
Anticonvulsant profile of the alkaloids (+)-erythravine and (+)-11-α-hydroxy-erythravine isolated from the flowers of Erythrina mulungu Mart ex Benth … by SA Faggion, AOS Cunha, HA Fachim, AS Gavin… – Epilepsy & Behavior, 2011 – Elsevier
The bioeconomics of controlling an African rodent pest species by …, H Leirs, HP Andreassen, LSA Mulungu… – Environment and …, 2006 – JSTOR
An economic analysis of precision application of climate at reduced rates by K Mulungu, G Tembo, S Kabwe – 2012 – ageconsearch.umn.edu
