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Arecoline

Methyl 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylnicotinate

Pyridine alkaloid acting as a partial muscarinic acetylcholine receptor agonist. The primary psychoactive constituent of betel/areca nut, producing mild stimulation, warmth, and a sense of well-being alongside well-documented carcinogenic risk to oral tissues with chronic use.

stimulant
THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE

The molecule, in space.

Atoms positioned in their lowest-energy 3D geometry, sourced from PubChem. Drag to rotate · scroll to zoom · switch between stick, sphere, and line representations to feel the shape from different angles.

3D structure · PubChem CID 2230 · drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RECEPTOR PROFILE

The pharmacological targets through which this compound exerts its effects.

Muscarinic acetylcholine partial agonistNicotinic acetylcholine modulation
NATURAL SOURCES

Living organisms in which this compound is naturally found.

REFERENCES
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  • Nelson 2000
  • IARC 2004
RELATED MOLECULES

Other other alkaloids

All compounds →
Chemical structure of α-Asarone
Alkaloid
2–4 hours
α-Asarone
Asarone
sedativestimulant

Phenylpropanoid found in Acorus calamus and Asarum species. Mechanism remains incompletely understood; mild psychoactive, sedative, and tonic effects have been described historically. β-asarone, a related isomer, is classified as a probable carcinogen and is the reason calamus from Indian-strain plants is regulated as a food additive.

Acorus calamus
Examine
Chemical structure of Berberine
Alkaloid
4–8 hours
Berberine

Isoquinoline alkaloid widespread in Berberis, Hydrastis, Argemone, Coptis and many other genera. Not classically psychoactive — included for completeness as a major alkaloid of several plants in the atlas. Active research target for metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.

Argemone mexicana
Examine
Chemical structure of Caffeine
Alkaloid
3–5 hours
Caffeine
1,3,7-Trimethylxanthine
stimulant

The most widely consumed psychoactive substance on Earth. Acts primarily as a competitive antagonist of adenosine receptors, indirectly raising dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine signaling — producing wakefulness, alertness, and mild euphoria.

Coffea arabicaCamellia sinensisTheobroma cacao
Examine
Chemical structure of Dermorphin
Alkaloid
30–60 minutes for the acute reaction
Dermorphin
H-Tyr-D-Ala-Phe-Gly-Tyr-Pro-Ser-NH2
sedative

Heptapeptide originally isolated from the skin of Phyllomedusa frogs, acting as a highly selective μ-opioid receptor agonist roughly 30–40× more potent than morphine. The active principle (alongside deltorphins, phyllocaerulein, and sauvagine) in the kambo secretion used by several Amazonian peoples.

Phyllomedusa bicolor
Examine