Herbal Intoxication

Abstract

Herbal preparations, designed to be smoked or ingested for "health and happiness," are promoted as legal hallucinogens, euphoriants, and marihuana substitutes. A total of 25 psychoactive substances have been identified in these products, and a number of intoxications have resulted from their short- or long-term use. Physicians should be alerted to the nature of these effects when taking drug histories, and their possible role in the causation of medical complaints should be considered. (JAMA236:473-476, 1976)