Hawaiian wood rose

The Hawaiian wood rose is an ornamental plant that grows in Florida, California and Hawaii. The seeds of this plant are used to make medicine. Despite serious safety concerns, Hawaiian woodrose is used to relieve pain and promote sweating. More commonly, however, this plant is used as a hallucinogen. Internet sellers tout Hawaiian wood rose as a natural LSD. The hallucinogenic effects of Hawaiian woodrose are similar to those of alcohol intoxication, with mind-expanding visual effects and a stronger sense of color. This effect lasts for 6 to 8 hours.

How does Hawaiian wood rose work?

There is not enough information available to say how Hawaiian wood rose might work as a medicine.

How effective is Hawaiian wood rose?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of Hawaiian wood rose in relieving pain and in promoting sweating. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Hawaiian woodrose in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Hawaiian wood rose is not safe or harmless. It can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, hallucinations, blurred vision, dilated pupils, rapid eye movement, sweating, rapid heartbeat and increased blood pressure.

Precautions and warnings

Hawaiian woodrose is not safe for anyone to use, but some people are at increased risk of adverse side effects:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the use of Hawaiian wood rose is not safe or safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Mental disorders: Hawaiian wood rose possesses similar effects to LSD. There are concerns that people with psychotic tendencies may react more strongly to these effects.

Surgeries: Hawaiian woodrose may affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Because serotonin has strong effects on the central nervous system and blood vessels, there are concerns that Hawaiian woodrose could cause problems during surgery. For this reason, one should discontinue use of Hawaiian woodrose at least 2 weeks prior to upcoming surgery.

Interactions

Hawaiian woodrose should not be combined with the following medications:

Antidepressants

Hawaiian wood rose increases the levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Some medications for depression also increase serotonin levels. Taking Hawaiian wood rose in combination with these medications could increase serotonin levels too much, resulting in serious side effects such as heart problems, tremors and anxiety. For this reason, Hawaiian woodrose should not be taken if you are taking antidepressants.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI)

Hawaiian woodrose increases the levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors also increase serotonin levels. Taking Hawaiian woodrose in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors may increase serotonin levels too much, resulting in serious side effects such as heart problems, tremors and anxiety.

Care should be taken when combining Hawaiian woodrose with the following medications:

Clozapine

Clozapine affects the brain. Hawaiian woodrose also affects the brain. Taking clozapine in combination with Hawaiian woodrose could reduce the effects of Hawaiian woodrose.

Cyproheptadine

Cyproheptadine can affect the brain. Hawaiian woodrose also affects the brain. However, cyproheptadine affects the brain in a different way than Hawaiian woodrose. Taking cyproheptadine in combination with Hawaiian woodrose may reduce the effects of Hawaiian woodrose.

Dextromethorphan

Hawaiian woodrose can affect levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Dextromethorphan can also affect serotonin levels. Taking Hawaiian woodrose in combination with dextromethorphan could increase serotonin levels too much, resulting in serious side effects such as heart problems, tremors and anxiety. For this reason, Hawaiian woodrose should not be taken if you are taking dextromethorphan.

Meperidine

Hawaiian woodrose increases levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Meperidine can also increase serotonin levels. Taking Hawaiian woodrose in combination with meperidine could increase serotonin levels too much, resulting in serious side effects such as heart problems, tremors and anxiety.

Pentazocine

Hawaiian wood rose increases levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Pentazocine also increases serotonin levels. Taking Hawaiian wood rose in combination with pentazocine could increase serotonin levels too much, resulting in serious side effects such as heart problems, tremors and anxiety. For this reason, Hawaiian woodrose should not be taken if you are taking pentazocine.

Risperidone

Taking risperidone in combination with Hawaiian woodrose could reduce the effects of Hawaiian woodrose.

Tramadol

Hawaiian woodrose increases levels of the brain chemical serotonin. Tramadol can also increase serotonin levels. Taking Hawaiian woodrose in combination with tramadol could increase serotonin levels too much, resulting in serious side effects such as heart problems, tremors, confusion, stiff muscles and anxiety.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Hawaiian woodrose depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for Hawaiian woodrose. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

1. Al-Assmar SE. The seeds of the Hawaiian baby woodrose are a powerful hallucinogen. Arch Intern Med 1999;159:2090.
2. Shawcross WE. Recreational use of ergoline alkaloid from Argyreia nervosa. J Psychoactive Drugs 1983;15:251-9.
3. Singhal AB, Caviness VS, Begleiter AF, et al. Cerebral vasoconstriction and stroke after use of serotonergic drugs. Neurology 2002;58:130-3.