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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.

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 2353 · drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RECEPTOR PROFILE

The pharmacological targets through which this compound exerts its effects.

Multi-target — AMPK activation, antimicrobial
NATURAL SOURCES

Living organisms in which this compound is naturally found.

REFERENCES
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  • Cicero 2009
  • Imenshahidi 2019
RELATED MOLECULES

Other other alkaloids

All compounds →
Chemical structure of Arecoline
Alkaloid
15–60 minutes
Arecoline
Methyl 1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylnicotinate
stimulant

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.

Areca catechu
Examine
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 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