Medicinal Plants with Psychoactive Properties: A Comprehensive Review
Fakhray Rimi, Jannatul Fardous, Fahmida Zaman, Md Kawchar Ahmed Patwary, Mahajabin Maisha
Sciences of Phytochemistry July 12, 2026 DOI: 10.58920/sciphy0502612 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | General (review of psychoactive medicinal plants) |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Keywords | Medicinal plants Phytochemical Neurochemical Synthetic cannabinoids Neuropharmacology Traditional medicine |
| Key findings | Twenty psychoactive medicinal plants exhibit neuropharmacological activities through modulation of serotonergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, and endocannabinoid systems, but most evidence remains preclinical with limited clinical validation. |
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine to alleviate a range of neurological and psychological disorders. Numerous plant-derived phytochemicals are known to modulate central nervous system activity by interacting with neurotransmitters, receptors, and neurochemical pathways. This review provides a comprehensive overview of medicinal plants with psychoactive properties, their major bioactive constituents, mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, toxicity concerns, and regulatory considerations. Literature was collected from scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, using relevant keywords on psychoactive medicinal plants and neuropharmacological activities. Twenty medicinal plants commonly associated with anxiolytic, antidepressant, sedative, hallucinogenic, or cognition-enhancing effects were reviewed. Major phytochemical classes identified included alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, cannabinoids, and saponins. Several plants, such as Withania somnifera, Cannabis sativa, Valeriana officinalis, Psilocybe cubensis, and Passiflora incarnata, have been reported to exhibit neuropharmacological activities in preclinical and limited clinical studies, through modulation of serotonergic, dopaminergic, GABAergic, and endocannabinoid systems. In addition to psychoactive effects, many reviewed plants exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and adaptogenic properties. However, despite promising pharmacological findings, most available evidence remains preclinical, with limited clinical validation regarding efficacy, safety, standardization, and long-term use. This review highlights the therapeutic prospects and current limitations of psychoactive medicinal plants and emphasizes the need for further experimental and clinical investigations for safe and evidence-based therapeutic applications.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on cannabis, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence | 2004 | Review | |
| Cannabis sativa: A comprehensive ethnopharmacological review of a medicinal plant with a long history. General (historical and pharmacological review) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychiatric effects of cannabis | 2001 | Review | |
| Beyond THC: The New Generation of Cannabinoid Designer Drugs | 2011 | Review | |
| Cannabidiol, a Cannabis sativa constituent, as an antipsychotic drug | 2006 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 24
- The abuse potential of medical psilocybin according to the 8 factors of the Controlled Substances Act Neuropharmacology June 5, 2018
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin Molecules May 15, 2021
- Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential Brain Research Bulletin March 11, 2016
- The alkaloids of Banisteriopsis caapi, the plant source of the Amazonian hallucinogen Ayahuasca, stimulate adult neurogenesis in vitro Scientific Reports July 7, 2017
- Hallucinogenic drugs in pre-Columbian Mesoamerican cultures Neurología May 4, 2019
and 19 more in the library