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§3.4.19 · Botanicals › Botanical Sedatives

St. John's Wort

Acute: Lower riskDependency: Lower risk

Images

Quick reference

Routes
Oral
Form
Shredded Leaves & Plant Matter
Shulgin rating
+**

Experience

Primary effects

  • Induces a mild warmth and anxiolytic wave, leading to increased relaxation and calmness.
  • Can cause a heady, sedated feeling, creating a pleasant background buzz.

Peak character

  • The peak is characterized by a relaxed and calm state, with a noticeable winding down from previous activity.

Negatives / side effects

  • Can dangerously interact with a significant number of prescription medicines and recreational psychoactives, potentially reducing their effectiveness or causing adverse reactions.

Aftereffects / comedown

  • Promotes deep, restful sleep. The next day, users may feel slightly drowsy but generally positive and well.

Reagent testing

Adulterant detection: Hypericum perforatum — hypericin. No standard drug reagent test.

Important drug interactions (especially with SSRIs, anticoagulants, contraceptives) — these cannot be screened by reagent testing.

Source

Reference fields and narrative for St. John's Wort extracted from The Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott (MxZero Publishing, 2022).

drugusersbible.com

Harm reduction notice

This platform provides educational and harm-reduction information adapted from public reference material. It does not endorse, encourage, or facilitate drug use. It is not medical advice. If you or someone near you may be in a medical emergency, contact local emergency services immediately.