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What is Morning glory?
There are more than a hundred different Morning Glory species. They all resemble one another and all flower equally splendidly. But the seeds of only a few of these species contain the substance LSA (Lysergic Acid Amide; a natural tryptamine) which is related to LSD . They fall under the species name Ipomoea violacea and some of their (popular) names are:
- Flying Saucers
- Pearly Gates
- Blue Star
- Heavenly Blue
History
As a result of the discovery of the presence of LSA in the seeds of the Morning Glory, its recreational use as a hallucinogenic in the Western world has increased enormously. In fact the seeds were already used for this purpose for centuries in many Mexican cultures. Halfway through the 15th century, Spanish explorers already reported the ‘divine’ use of elongated, angular, black seeds which the local population (probably the Aztec people) called `Tlitlitzin'. Tlitlitzin meaning ‘black’ in the Nahuatl language. It was only around 1900 that`Tlitlitzin' was officially classified as Ipomoea violacea.
Even now, some Indian tribes in South-Mexico can still be found who use the seeds of the Ipomoea violacea ritually and it is an important part of their life. Some Zapotec Indians from the Oaxaca-region in Mexico are known to use both the Turbina corymbosa (called Ololiuqui in the Nahuatl language) another Morning Glory variant whose seeds contain LSA, and the Ipomoea vialacea for medicinal and religious purposes. The black seeds of the I. Vialacea are called macho, masculine, and the seeds of T. corymbosa, which are brown and round, are called hembra, feminine. And that is also the way it is: the black seeds are for the men, the brown ones for the women. Different to the Teonanácatl (psylocibine mushroom) ritual or Peótl (Peyotecatus) ritual, the Morning Glory rituals are generally experienced individually. The trip is meant to be more about obtaining insights into a certain personal problem than to reach a state of religious ecstasy.
Occasionally, a Shaman will feed the seeds to a patient. The Shaman then tries to determine what the ailment is from what the patient says as soon as they are under the influence. It is believed that it is not the patient who is speaking, but the ‘plant children’, the bador, who is speaking.
Due to its rapid percentage of growth and incredible seed production, the Ipomea violacea is often seen as an invasive, and therefore troublesome, weed. But with its beauty and its splendid flowers it has managed to win the hearts of many botanists. This has lead to the Ipomoea violecea now existing as different cultivated species. There are as many names as there are species of the Morning Glory. Sometimes even a few names per individual species. To the Zapotec Indians for instance, the seeds of the Ipoemoea violacea are also known as Badoh Negro. But in the Zapotec language they are called Badungas. The Chinantec and Mazatec Indians from the same Oxaca area adhere to Piule. Also mentioned: Smilla de la Virgen (seed of the virgin) and Hierba María (Maria’s Herb).
The Ipomoea violacea comes from the same family as the Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian Baby Woodrose). The seeds of this plant also contain LSA.
Botany
The Morning Glory belongs to the Convulvalaceae family, of which the Baby Hawaiian Woodrose is also a member. The Morning Glory is above all a garden plant which has its origins in the country of Mexico in Central America. Now it grows all over the world; however its favourite is a tropical warm climate.
It is a bush of 4-10 feet high, with flowers in the colors of pink, purple, blue, white, and various combinations therein. The bloom period is from July to October.
Chemistry
Active component: d-lysergic acid. The seeds contain about 0.1% ergot alkaloids, including ergometrine, chanoclavine and lysergol.
Effects
An approximately 6-hour lasting LSD-type experience, but with less hallucinogenic effects.
Nausea often occurs, even with pure, untreated seeds. In normal doses, Morning glory gives you less fear and has a lower intensity than LSD.
Because it is taken orally, the onset depends on the ingested food. On a relatively empty stomach the effects start about an hour after ingestion, however, hours can pass before one peaks. The primary effects continue for 6-10 hours, and then it takes a few hours before the user feels they are back to normal.
Medical use
They say that the Native Americans used a tea made of the roots as a laxative, diuretic, decongestant and cough medicine. A tea made from the powdered leaves works for headaches and constipation. As far as we know, Morning Glory is currently not use as medicine.
Variations
The most common active variant of the the Morning Glory is Heavenly blue. Other sorts are Pearly gates, Flying saucers, Wedding bells, Blue star and Summer skies.
Despite being the most potent variant, Heavenly blue is easier to obtain then the other rarer sorts.
When we compare the seeds of the Pearly gates and the Heavenly blue to two variations of Hawaiian Baby woodrose, the following amounts of alkaloids are found (mg alkaloid/g seeds):
Heavenly Blue: 0.813
Pearly Gates: 0.423
Ipomoea tuberosa: [None]
Argyreia nervosa: 3.050
Ololiuhqui ('Rivea corymbosa' or 'Turbina corymbosa') is a different variant, not a synonym. While well known and widely used by the Indians of Mexico, Ololiuhqui is barely known to the outside world. Only a very small quantity is needed, and it should only be used by people with prior experience with psychoactive substances.
Use
Morning glory doses (according to Erowid):
Light 50 - 100 seeds 1.5 - 3 grams
Medium 100 - 250 seeds 3 - 6 grams
Strong 250 - 400 seeds 6 - 10 grams
Very strong 400+ seeds 10 + grams
The seeds can be taken as follows:
- Chew well and swallow
- Grind and then soak in mineral water for half an hour, then filter and drink
- Soak the whole seeds in mineral water (3 - 4 days, changing the water often), after which the soft, white part of the shell can be separated and eaten. This is the best way to avoid side effects, though there are enough reasons to assume that this also reduces its effectiveness.
The flowers of the Morning Glory can also be brewed in mineral water for 1-2 weeks to create a mild-alcoholic wine with a distinct, pleasant taste and a very mild psychedelic effect, which falls in the same category as Hemp. Herbs or honey may also be added for increased taste or effect.
Cold water and pure mineral water should be used for this process. Tap water contains chemicals which break down the desired alkaloids as does hot water.
Side effects
Do not operate heavy machinery. Do not drive any vehicle.
- Do not take Morning glory seeds if you have recently used an MAOI. MAOIs exist in the prescription anti-depressants Nardil (phenelzine), Parnate (tranylcypromine), Marplan (isocarboxazid), Eldepryl (l-deprenyl), and Aurorex or Manerix (moclobemide). Ayahuasca also contains MAOIs (harmine and harmaline). Morning glory seeds (LSA) and MAOIs are a potentially dangerous combination. Consult a doctor if you are not sure whether your prescription drug contains an MAOI.
- Do not use Morning glory during pregnancy. LSA is closely related to LSD which makes the uterus contract; this may severely increase the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy.
- People with emotional or psychological problems should be careful in their choice of morning glory psychedelics because they can cause further difficulties.
- People who have a family history of schizophrenia or early onset of mental illnesses should really take care because psychedelics are known to trigger mental and psychological problems as they have predisposition for this already.
Warnings
You can have a wonderful and miraculous experience with the seeds of the morning glory plant, but there are some rules you have to follow!
Do not drive, do not go into traffic.
Do not use morning glory seeds when pregnant or breastfeeding.
People who feel depressed, afraid or sad are advised against using products such as morning glory seeds.
People with schizophrenia in the family must be very careful with the use of these seeds, because it can cause psychological problems.
Cultivation
Although this species is a perennial plant, it is often grown as an annual plant. Morning Glory's grow in a stable, well-fed soil in a sunny place, with sufficient water available. But basically they can do well anywhere. The seeds have a hard shell and must be soaked for a few hours before they can be sown. The shrubs will already bloom after about 6 weeks after sowing. The seeds must be planted a half to one centimeter deep and at least 15 centimeters apart. This species will grow into a formidable bush, unless the roots are impeded. This can happen when the shrub is grown in a pot. Although Morning glory likes a lot of water, it will produce few flowers and seeds if the roots are constantly kept moist. Several different methods have been tried to increase the alkaloid content by using different types of soil and using hormones. An interesting account of these methods can be found in the book Home Grown Highs by Jane Super Weed.
Harvesting: The seeds can be collected when the pods are brown and dry. Immature seeds are more bitter than ripe ones; although it is said that immature seeds contain more alkaloids, this has not been confirmed yet. The stem and leaves also contain alkaloids. And because these contain purifying qualities, these parts of the plant are only used by extraction. If you would like to use them, pick them fresh and dry them immediately and quickly without heating them.
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