To avoid taking damage while harvesting mandrake, harvesters would tie the root to a dog, who could then be lured away with some food to pull the root from the ground. It was thought that once the root was pulled above ground, it would scream so loud it killed anybody within earshot (as portrayed in this Harry Potter scene). The more human-like shape of the root, the more valuable it was.ĭried mandrake root was thought to bring good fortune and wellbeing to those who had one. The unique effects of the mandrake, combined with the very human-like shape of the roots, have resulted in a lot of superstition surrounding the plant. Mandrake Specs & Technical Details: Active Ingredientsĭelirium, psychosis, blurry vision, inability to urinate, dry mouth, fever, & death The difference between an active dose and an overdose is very narrow.Īdditionally, most people that trip on mandrake experience what can be described as “nightmarish” hallucinations, often lasting several days. Under no circumstances is this a plant anybody should use for its psychedelic effects. In higher doses, mandrake is a deadly poison. The hallucinations are so strong and so believable, most people lose the ability to differentiate between what they’re imagining and what’s actually happening in real life. In moderate doses, mandrake is a powerful psychedelic and deliriant. In lower doses, mandrake is a hypnotic - inducing feelings of dizziness, confusion, and sedation. Delerium is the inability to differentiate between what’s real and what’s imagined. Tropane alkaloids are highly toxic and cause drug-induced delirium. These are the same active ingredients in plants like datura and Brugmansia. The root of the mandrake contains a collection of powerful hallucinogenic compounds called tropane alkaloids. Mandrake ( Mandragora spp.) is a small, unassuming plant with a rich history of use as medicine, poison, and mysticism. In this article, we’ll explore some of its history, how it works, and why nobody should ever attempt to trip on mandrake root.

The mandrake root is an interesting (and deadly) psychedelic.

Mandrake restaurant