Worldwide, there are plants known as psychoactive plants that naturally contain psychedelic active components. They have a high concentration of neuroprotective substances that can interact with the nervous system to produce psychedelic effects. Despite these plants' hazardous potential, recreational use of them is on the rise because of their psychoactive properties. Early neuroscience studies relied heavily on psychoactive plants and plant natural products (NPs), and both recreational and hazardous NPs have contributed significantly to the understanding of almost all neurotransmitter systems. Worldwide, there are many plants that contain psychoactive properties, and people have been using them for ages. Psychoactive plant compounds may significantly alter how people perceive the world.
1. Planta Med. 2005 Feb;71(2):142-6. doi: 10.1055/s-2005-837781. Synthesis, in vitro, reactivity, and identification of 6-phenyl-3-hexen-2-one in human urine after kava-kava (Piper methysticum) ingestion. Zou L(1), Harkey MR, Henderson GL. Author information: (1)Department of Medical Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. This study describes the synthesis of 6 -phenyl-3-hexen-2-one, a proposed metabolite of kava-kava (kava, 'Awa, Yaqona, Piper methysticum Forst.), its reactivity with glutathione in vitro, and its isolation and identification, as its mercapturic acid adduct using LC/MS/MS, in the urine of two human subjects following their ingestion of kava. A possible metabolic pathway for the formation of this metabolite and its possible role in hepatotoxicity are also discussed. DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837781 PMID: 15729622 [Indexed for MEDLINE]