Between High & Right – what lets you fly completely legally

Who says a "high" always needs THC or LSD? In a world full of plants, mushrooms, scents, and legal substances, mind-altering or euphoric states can be experienced completely without prohibition – and sometimes in a surprisingly pleasant way.

This article introduces you to the 10 craziest legal highs – from exotic natural substances to incense to legal substances with spiritual or physical effects. And because you're interested in natural cosmetics, you'll also get application tips, DIY recipes, and assessments of skin compatibility.

Ready for the legal high?

1. Nutmeg – the underrated kitchen high

Effect:

• In high doses (5–20 g) hallucinogenic, euphoric, physically drowsy

• Main active ingredient: Myristicin, a natural psychoactive phenylpropanoid

Application:

• Nutmeg in a smoothie or with plant milk (do not consume raw!)

• Effects begin after 2–6 hours, can last up to 24 hours

Caution:

• Toxic in high doses, often associated with nausea and a hangover

• Not suitable for experiments – rather a curiosity in the history of intoxication

2. Kratom – the caffeinated opioid from Asia

Effect:

• In small doses: stimulating, invigorating

• In higher doses: calming, pain-relieving, mildly euphoric

Application:

• As a tea made from the powdered leaves

• Popular for chronic stress, back pain, depressive moods

Studies:

• Affects μ-opioid receptors, similar to morphine, but milder

• Can lead to habituation with overuse

DIY recipe: Kratom latte with oat milk & vanilla – calming & creamy.

3. Blue Lotus – the sacred high of the Egyptians

Effect:

• Mildly euphoric, dreamlike, erotic

• Acts on dopamine receptors, slightly sedating

Application:

• As a tea, tincture, or incense

• Ideal for evening rituals or relaxed conversations

Tip: Combine Blue Lotus with CBD oil for a particularly harmonious high.

4. Lion's Ear (Wild Dagga) – the African herb

Effect:

• Similar to mild cannabis, but shorter and lighter

• Calming, gently euphoric

Application:

• Smoked dried or as a tea

• Traditionally used in South Africa for ceremonies and spirituality

Skincare:

• Extracts contain anti-inflammatory substances – usable as an additive in DIY balms

5. Kava Kava – the high of the Pacific Islands

Effect:

• Relaxing, anxiolytic, mildly disinhibiting

• Not a high in the classic sense, but a "social sedative"

Application:

• Mix powder with water & strain – creates an earthy drink

• Effect sets in quickly, good for social evenings

Studies:

• Efficacy in anxiety scientifically proven

• Caution: In high doses, taxing on the liver

DIY tip: Kava-Kava tea with turmeric and cinnamon for relaxed evenings.

6. Rapé – the shamanic snuff from South America

Effect:

• Extremely focusing, sharp, cleansing

• Not a classic high, but an intense mental "clarity boost"

Application:

• Administered into the nose via a blowpipe (only with experience!)

• Usually contains tobacco, ash & herbs

Spirituality:

• Used in shamanic rituals for grounding & emotional clarification

• Legal use only recommended for ceremonial application

7. Damiana – plant-based love high

Effect:

• Mood-lifting, aphrodisiac, mildly relaxing

• Gentle, plant-based serotonin boost

Application:

• As a tea, tincture, or smoked

• Ideal as a natural mood enhancer

DIY tip: Damiana-rose tea with honey – affects heart, skin & senses.

8. Calea zacatechichi – the dream herb trip

Effect:

• Lucid dreams, lucid states, deeper REM phases

• No euphoria, but a mind-expanding effect during sleep

Application:

• As a bitter tea before going to sleep

• Optionally as a smoking herb in combination with lavender or hops

Fun Fact:

• Called "God's eye" by Mexican shamans

9. Cola Nut – the legal pick-me-up

Effect:

• Strong physical stimulation, euphoria due to high caffeine content

• Supports focus, motivation, and fluency of speech

Application:

• Chewing the nut or as an extract in tonics

• Popular in natural cosmetics as a skin tightener due to high antioxidant concentration

Combo Tip:

• Cola nut + ginseng + mint = the legal version of a natural energy high

10. Salvia divinorum – the "short" madness

Effect:

• Intensely hallucinogenic, time-distorting, very short (2–10 min)

• NOT suitable for beginners

Application:

• Smoked or as an extract (highly potent)

• Legal only in some countries – please check regionally!

Note:

• Salvia is not "fun," but mind-altering & radical – use it respectfully.

What to consider with legal highs

1. Set & Setting

Even legal plant substances only unleash their effect in the right environment. Ensure:

• A relaxed, safe environment

• Trustworthy companionship or alone time

• No traffic, no obligations

2. Dosage

Start low – every body reacts differently. Some plant substances have a steep dose-response curve (e.g., nutmeg, kratom).

3. Purity & Origin

Only buy from trustworthy shops or manufacturers with transparent information on origin, processing, and concentration.

Natural Cosmetic Perspective: Skin, Senses & Plant Spirituality

Many of the plants mentioned are not only psychoactive but also useful for skincare, as antioxidants, or in aromatherapy. Example:

• Blue Lotus: calming, anti-aging, ideal for facial oils

• Damiana: balancing for hormonally related skin problems

• Cola nut: antioxidant, firming, circulation-boosting

DIY Recipe: Damiana-Lavender Hydrolate

• 100 ml boiled water

• 1 tsp dried Damiana

• ½ tsp lavender blossoms

• Let steep, strain, fill into a spray bottle – clarifying & mood-lifting

Scientific Studies & Safety Information

Many of the substances presented here are well-researched – others operate in a legal grey area. A brief overview:

Substance Legal Status DE Study Data

Nutmeg legal neurotoxic at high doses

Kratom banned since 2023 (BtMG) good study data, risk of addiction

Blue Lotus legal few studies, but safe

Lion's Ear legal few studies, mildly effective

Kava Kava restricted legal hepatotoxic in high doses

Rapé legal (ceremonial use) traditionally proven

Damiana legal mood-lifting proven

Calea zacatechichi legal dream-inducing

Cola Nut legal stimulating, safe

Salvia legal in some countries very intense, psychologically demanding

Supplementary Substances: Even More Legal Highs with Tradition

11. Betel Nut – the red chew of Asia

Effect:

• Mild euphoria, increased alertness, social "flow"

• Traditionally chewed – usually with lime, spices, and betel leaf

Application:

• Not legal everywhere (banned in Germany!), but firmly rooted in daily life in countries like India, Papua New Guinea, and Taiwan

• In small amounts, it is consumed daily by locals

Risks:

• Can irritate the oral mucosa with chronic use

• To be critically considered due to carcinogenic potential

Conclusion:

Culturally fascinating, but more for ethnobotanically interested individuals than for daily practice.

12. Yohimbine – the African plant of desire

Effect:

• Stimulating, blood pressure-raising, aphrodisiac

• Originally from the bark of the Yohimbe tree (Pausinystalia johimbe)

Application:

• Contained in small doses in herbal sex pills

• Increases blood circulation, has a tonic effect – but can lead to palpitations

Natural Cosmetics Tip:

Some aphrodisiac body oils use Yohimbe extracts – always dose carefully!

13. GABA + Theanine – the chill combo from science

Effect:

• Relaxing, anxiolytic, concentration-enhancing

• Not a classic "high," but a perfect combo for focused relaxation

Application:

• As a dietary supplement or in the form of "relax drinks"

• Particularly popular in combination with green tea

Tip:

With lavender tea and honey, a brilliant DIY ritual for after work or before sleep.

Why do we want to be high at all – and what does nature say about it?

The desire for altered states of consciousness is as old as humanity. Whether in rituals, hunting, dreams, or choosing a partner – the desire to feel "different" is biologically ingrained.

Evolutionary perspective:

• Dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins reward us for exploring new stimuli

• Plants with psychoactive effects helped shamans treat the sick or communicate with the "spirit world"

Today:

• Instead of ceremony: festival

• Instead of incense: vape

• Instead of community: scrolling

Legal or not – we seek depth, feeling, a break. And sometimes a gentle legal high can provide just that, without losing our footing.

Combine Self-Care Rituals with Legal Highs

Many of the substances presented can be wonderfully integrated into mindful rituals. Here are some inspirations for your weekend:

1. Dreamtime Ritual with Calea, Lavender, and Journaling

• 1 cup bitter Calea tea before sleep

• Darken room, calm music

• After waking: note dreams, interpret meaning

2. Creative Session with Damiana-Rose Incense

• Damiana & rose petals in incense burner

• Play deep house or nature sounds

• Free writing or sketching

3. Grounding Ritual with Kava & Foot Bath

• 1 cup Kava-Kava latte with cinnamon

• Foot bath with sea salt, essential oil (e.g., cedar)

• Focus on breath & body sensation

Legal Highs & Skincare – how does that fit together?

This may seem contradictory at first glance – but on closer inspection, it becomes clear: Many plants that can provide a high also contain active ingredients with skin-caring properties.

Plant Psychoactive Effect Cosmetic Property

Blue Lotus Dreamlike, relaxing Antioxidant, skin-calming

Damiana Mood-lifting Skin-clarifying, hormonally balancing

Cola Nut Invigorating, euphoric Firming, vitalizing

Kratom Pain-relieving, calming Anti-inflammatory (external use only!)

Lion's Ear Cannabis-like Mildly antiseptic for irritated skin

Tip for DIY fans:

Use plant hydrolates or cold-pressed oils from legal high plants for tonics, bath additives, or homemade salves.

Criticism, Responsibility & Modern Ethnobotany

As fascinating as the world of legal highs is – it also comes with responsibility:

• Not everything that is legal is harmless.

• The dose makes the poison – even with natural substances

• Inform yourself about origin, processing, and effect

• Use plants not just for consumption, but for understanding

In modern ethnobotany – the study of humans & plants – it's no longer just about intoxication. It's about integration, mindfulness, lifestyle. Those who use these substances consciously can delve deeper into themselves – and don't need drug dealers or crashes to do so.

Conclusion: Legal, crazy – and maybe even transformative

Those who enjoy consciously don't have to resort to illegal substances. The world of legal highs is colorful, complex, exciting – and with a pinch of respect, absolutely enriching.

Whether you're going on a plant journey, opening your mind, or simply looking for new self-care rituals: You'll find legal options that touch, invigorate, or soothe you – all without breaking the law.