The earth is brimming with naturally occurring psychedelics…

…powerful visionary compounds found in mushrooms, seeds, roots, vines, leaves, and even toad venom.

Some invite you into a dream. Others rip open reality, teleporting you into the universe where ego doesn’t exist.

These are the five most powerful classic psychedelics nature has ever engineered (that we know of), ranked by the smallest dose needed to produce profound psychedelic experiences.

And by “classic,” I mean psychedelics that activate 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, the key mechanism responsible for their hallucinogenic effects.

LSD and some of its synthetic cousins qualify, sure.

But what follows isn’t man-made.

These are Earth-made.

Clocking in at #5, we have…

5) Mescaline

Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine) is the primary psychedelic compound found in cacti like Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) and San Pedro (Echinopsis pachanoi).

Ceremonial use of these visionary cacti dates back 5,000-8,000 years.

Though the least potent of the classic psychedelics, mescaline’s active dose of 200–400 mg produces a visually stunning, heart-opening, and deeply spiritual journey that unfolds over 8–12 hours.

4) Psilocybin

Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is the primary psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms.

Called Teonanácatl in the ancient Nahuatl (Aztec) language — meaning “Flesh of the Gods” — psilocybin mushrooms grow across the world and have been used in Mesoamerican ceremonies for thousands of years.

A 20–30 mg dose of pure psilocybin (roughly 3.3–5 g dried Psilocybe cubensis) can evoke deeply emotional, mystical, and nature-connected experiences that last 4–6+ hours.

3) DMT

DMT (N,N-dimethyltryptamine), known as the "Spirit Molecule," can launch your consciousness into other dimensions.

Found in plants like Psychotria viridis and Mimosa hostilis, it’s been used for centuries in Amazonian ayahuasca rituals.

In its pure form, just 20–40 mg of smoked DMT can unleash vivid, hyper-dimensional visions and encounters with spirit entities.

The peak experience lasts only 5-20 minutes, yet often feels like eternity.

No other compound matches its speed, intensity, or sheer visual power.

2) 5-MeO-DMT

5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is found in the venomous secretions of the Bufo alvarius toad and Anadenanthera peregrina and Anadenanthera colubrina seeds.

5-MeO-DMT is strongly active at just 5–10 mg.

Unlike DMT’s powerful visuals, 5-MeO-DMT is far less so…

…but it induces complete ego dissolution and unity consciousness, often described as “merging with infinity.”

1) LSA

LSA (Lysergic Acid Amide) is often called “Nature’s LSD” due to its remarkably similar chemical structure.

This alkaloid naturally appears in seeds like Morning Glory, Ololiuqui, and Hawaiian Baby Woodrose, and in ergot, the very fungus from which LSD is synthesized.

It’s pharmacologically potent at doses as low as 1–3 mg, which is why it ranks #1 on this list.

But potency doesn’t always equal intensity…

LSA delivers a different type of psychedelic journey than the rest — dreamy, sedating, body-heavy, with fuzzy visuals and "spacey" thoughts that can stretch 5–10 hours.

Funny enough, there’s one plant medicine that eclipses them all… but it isn’t a classic psychedelic (that's why it's not listed).

The journey is strange, disorienting, and often unsettling — like reality bending in on itself.

(Hint: we’re exploring it next.)

Which of these naturally occurring classic psychedelic compounds have you experienced?

And what did they show you?

Hit reply. I’d love to hear your trip report.

Have a safe journey,

Onjae

P.S. If you struggle to find safe and high-quality psychedelics, I’ve included my trusted online suppliers for these five powerhouse compounds inside the Psychedelic Sourcing Master List.