Hunting and Hallucinogens: The use psychoactive and other Plants to improve the Hunting ability of dogs

Bradley C. Bennett ^a^,^,,
Rocío Alarcón ^b^,

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.05.035

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Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Cultures throughout the world give plants to their dogs in order to improve hunting success. These practices are best developed in lowland Ecuador and Peru. There is no experimental evidence for the efficacy of these practices nor critical reviews that consider possible pharmacological effects on dogs based on the chemistry of the ethnoverterinary plants.

Aim

This review has three specific aims: 1. Determine what plants the Ecuadorian Shuar and Quichua give to dogs to improve their hunting abilities, 2. Determine what plants other cultures give to dogs for the same purpose, and 3. Assess the possible pharmacological basis for the use of these plants, particularly the psychoactive ones?

Methods

We gathered Shuar (Province of Morona-Santaigo) and Quichua (Napo and Orellano Provinces) data from our previous publications and field notes. All specimens were vouchered and deposited in QCNE with duplicates sent to NY and MO. Data presented from other cultures derived from published studies on ethnoveterinary medicine. Species names were updated, when necessary, and family assignments follow APG III (Angiosperm Phylogeny Group 2009). Chemical data were found using PubMed and SciFinder.

Results

The Shuar and Quichua of Ecuador use at least 22 species for ethnoveterinary purposes, including all but one of their principal hallucinogens. Literature surveys identified 43 species used in other cultures to improve hunting ability. No published studies have examined the pharmacological active of these plant species in dogs. We, thus, combined phytochemical data with the ethnobotanical reports of each plant and then classified each species into a likely pharmacological category: depuratives/deodorant, olfactory sensitizer, ophthalmic, or psychoactive.

Conclusions

The use of psychoactive substances to improve a dog’s hunting ability seems counterintuitive, yet its prevalence suggests that it is both adaptive and that it has an underlying pharmacological explanation. We hypothesize that hallucinogenic plants alter perception in hunting dogs by diminishing extraneous signals and by enhancing sensory perception (most likely olfaction) that is directly involved in the detection and capture of game. If this is true, plant substances also might enhance the ability of dogs to detect explosives, drugs, human remains, or other targets for which they are valued.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Ecuador;
Hallucinogens;
Hunting;
Psychoactive plants;
Shuar;
Quichua

: Corresponding author. Tel.: +305 348 3586.

Cheryl & ethnovet

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Tuesday, 2 June 2015