Natural Herbs and Plants that Can Give Out of Body Experiences

Plants that are Known to Provide Out of Body Experiences

All corners of the world have folktales, cultural stories and even present-day lore of plants that induce out of body experiences. Some of these plants produce substances that may be illegal or regulated in some countries, while others are completely unregulated. Shaman and priests have used these out of body experiences for spiritual, religious, medicinal, and even prophetic purposes. Out of body experiences are also sought out for recreational purposes or for “self-exploration.” While astral travel is not exactly the same thing, it is still commonly used as an interchangeable term.

An out of body experience is typically classified as the experience of leaving one’s body, being able to even see one’s body still resting…while being able to explore the world in a sort of ‘spirit form.’ Some people describe it almost like being a ghost. Some people never see their own body, while many others do. Some people can choose where they travel and what they experience, while others explain it as almost a movie (having very little control). It does not always require being asleep to experience.

Full List of Herbs Used to Astral Travel and for Out of Body Experiences

There are a lot of herbs that have been used to have an out of body experience, or astral travel. These are some of the most commonly used plants in tribes and cultures around the world and throughout history for their ability to induce an out of body experience. Some of them are hallucinogenic and can be dangerous in high doses. These plants are in no particular order.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is one of the most commonly used hallucinogens of South America. It is often associated with intense out of body experiences that some users explain as completely real. Each user has a different experience and it is almost always very personal and full of self-exploration. Ayahuasca is also known by its scientific name (though made by many plants, it is most dominantly relying upon one ingredient for high DMT content), Banisteriopsis caapi.

Blue Lotus Flower

Blue Lotus was very commonly employed by the Ancient Egyptians, however, it is still used today. It has been well-known for its powerful hallucinogenic effects and is usually used as a tea or in a smoking blend. Blue Lotus Flower is also known by its scientific name, Nymphaea ampla.

Bakana

Bakana is native to Mexico and very well-known by the Tarahumara Indians. Although it has a lot of history being employed medicinally, it has also given the Indians the ability to have out of body experiences. Typically these experiences involve traveling to see their ancestors, be it for information or colorful, vision-like celebrations. The many species of Bakana are known by their scientific names, Scirpus Sp..

Calea Zacatechichi

Calea Zacatechichi is one of the best herbs for inducing lucid dreams. It has been used for thousands of years by various Mexican and Central American cultures, including the Aztecs. Shaman would typically brew a tea by simmering the herb in water for a short while before cooling and consuming before sleep. Having a premium Calea leaf cut is one of the most important variables in activating the lucid dream-inducing qualities of the herb.

El Nene

El Nene is very frequently employed as a Salvia-like drug to the Natives of the Philippines. It is used for divination and as a hallucinogen, sometimes providing the users out of body experiences. El Nene is also known by its scientific name, Coleus blumei.

Xhosa Dream Root

This plant is important to many tribes throughout Africa and is often regarded as a sacred plant. It is very commonly found in ceremonies surrounding prophecy, divination, or self-exploration. The Xhosa Dream Root can create vivid visions and out of body experiences. Xhosa Dream Root is also known by its scientific name, Silene capensis.

Salvia

Salvia is a sacred plant to the Mazatec Indians, and many Aztec tribes for its ability to create powerful hallucinations. Many users report having extremely realistic out of body experiences, being submerged in other, fantastical worlds. Salvia is also known by its scientific name, Salvia divinorum, or other common names, including: Hierba de la Pastora, Hierba de la Virgen, and Pipiltzintzintli.

Liberty Cap Mushrooms

Liberty Caps grow throughout Europe and have been used as a hallucinogen for thousands of years. They are well-known to induce strong visions and can give their users vivid out of body experiences. Liberty Caps are also known by their scientific name, Psilocybe semilanceata.

Maiden’s Acacia

Acacia is known to have a high content of DMT, making it a really strong psychedelic drug. User experiences typically report out of body experiences full of color, and visually appealing imagery. Acacia is also known by its scientific name, Acacia maidenii.

Sun Openers

Sun Openers are also called Sinicuichi to many Indian tribes throughout Mexico. The Mexican natives used Sinicuichi as a sacred, religious plant, but also to have out of body experiences, to astral travel, and to re-experience pre-natal memories. Sun Openers are also known by their scientific name, Heimia salicifolia.

Peyote

Peyote has been used for its hallucinogenic effects by the Indians of Mexico and the Southwestern United States for centuries. The Peyote often provides vision quests, or spiritual journeys which sometimes include having out of body experiences. Peyote is also known by its scientific name, Lophophora diffusa.

Petunia

Petunias are better known for their beauty, however, they have also provided the shaman of Ecuador the ability to spirit walk. They can provide a sensation that feels like flying or levitating, and that of an out of body experience. Petunia is also known by its scientific name, Petunia violacea.

Shanshi

Shanshi is well known among the Indians of Ecuador for its ability to give users a sensation of flying or levitating through the air. Indians eat the fruit to have these out of body experiences that are also associated with intoxicating effects. Shanshi is also known by its scientific name, Coriaria thymifolia.

Mugwort

Mugwort has been used as far back as the Ancient Aztecs for its ability to produce calm, trance-like visions. Many users report having out of body experiences or prophetic dreams after smoking Mugwort. Mugwort is also known by its scientific name, Artemisa vulgaris.

Mammillaria

Mammillaria has many names, also including Wichuriki and Hikuri Rosapara. This cactus is used by the Tarahumara Indians as a hallucinogen due to its high content of DMT. Users frequently report having out of body experiences and spiritual awakenings. Mammillaria is also known by its scientific name, Mammillaria craigii.

Final Notes on Plants for Shamanic Out of Body Rituals

Many reasons exist for wanting to have an out of body experience. Medicine men want to have out of body experiences for medical diagnosis and healing rituals. Shaman desire out of body experiences for divination or prophetic reasons (or to see into the past). Sometimes they are used to communicate with ancestors, deceased relatives, other spirits or even the gods. There are many plants used for their ability to induce out of body experiences simply for self exploration. No matter the reason, there are tribes and cultures around the world which still use plants for their traditional and ceremonial use of inducing powerful trances, astral travel and out of body experiences. And some herbs will always be stronger than others in terms of inducing lucid dreaming.