Valerian root as a psychedelic?

[Gone-and-Back]

I have recently bought some valerian root tea, which I have yet to try out. I was reading somewhere that if consumed in large enough quantities, it can act as a psychedelic? It was compared somewhat to shrooms, with stuff looking as if it "breathed". The person had taken 8grams of the root.
Does anyone have experiences with this? I would love to hear from someone who has tried these large of doses. thanks

 

[Anthimus]

This is the first time I've heard this one. Although I haven't tried it in high doses personally, it's highly unlikely that this has psychedelic properties. Being that it has mild activity at GABA-A receptors and an inverse agonist at the adenosine sites. It's even sometimes used as an alternative to benzodiazepines (Schmitz, Jäckel 1998 ). Based on the pharmacology, I don't see this as anything other than a sedative. Although it has been shown to have stimulating properties on persons undergoing fatigue (Hass, Levin 2006).

References:

[Comparative study for assessing quality of life of patients with exogenous sleep disorders (temporary sleep onset and sleep interruption disorders) treated with a hops-valarian preparation and a benzodiazepine drug] - PubMed

This randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial in parallel group design demonstrated equivalent efficacy and tolerability of a hop-valerian preparation compared with a benzodiazepine preparation in patients suffering from sleep disorders according to DSM-IV criteria. Sleep quality...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.worldcat.org/title/staying-healthy-with-nutrition-the-complete-guide-to-diet-and-nutritional-medicine/oclc/62755545

Valerian for insomnia: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials - PubMed

Objective: To systematically review the evidence for the effects of the herb valerian (Valeriana officinalis) on insomnia, based on randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials.Background: Valerian has long been advocated and used for promoting sleep but until quite recently evidence was...

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

 

[jamie]

probably more of a hypnotic than a psychedelic.

 

[Shamasi Wiz]

Yeah, as long as you dose upwards of 5 grams you can have a pretty groovy trip, but the key is to mix in about a gram of cayenne pepper. It's like DMT slowed down, so you can stay in hyperspace for much longer, and you basically have super powers. Just be sure to administer it rectally.:thumb_up:

 

[Xemnas]

Yeah, as long as you dose upwards of 5 grams you can have a pretty groovy trip, but the key is to mix in about a gram of cayenne pepper. It's like DMT slowed down, so you can stay in hyperspace for much longer, and you basically have super powers. Just be sure to administer it rectally.:thumb_up:

I pity the person who takes this seriously.

 

[Vodsel]

I remember reading reports of valerian root allegedly working as a dream enhancer when combined with other herbs, such as kava.

But other than that, it seems to have sedative, hypnotic properties and that's all.

Cats love the (rather unpleasant) smell of valerian root, though. Anyone ever tried to infuse catnip with valerian root for some cat changa?

 

[cosmickees]

i have also heard of valerian root giving you crazy dreams. I think i read it on a blog somewhere once where the person was going from doses starting at 1 gram up to about 3 gram gradually upping the dose over a week (but still making tea) and in the end he wrote he had very lucid dreams and it even after stopping the lucid dreams kept on going for another week or so.

and lol with the cayenne pepper. I do not envy whoever shove a gram of cayenne pepper up their bum. I think taking half a teaspoon in your mouth is already quite optimistic..

 

[Mary]

Valerian root is definitely a sedative like Valium. It can enhance your dreams in small doses. It is even said that just the smell of it can effect your dreams. So some people put it under their pillow at night. I never tried this because it smells very unpleasant. Be warned that if you ingest in high doses it will make your skin smell like it.