What is Sananga?

Sananga is less well-known right now, but this is likely to change as it and many other traditional plant medicines grow in popularity. In this post, we’ll define Sanaga, which turns out to be more complicated than expected, have an unexpectedly honest discussion of its importance, answer a few common safety questions, and provide 4 essential considerations for anyone looking to utilize Sananga in their practices.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

What is Sananga?

Sananga is a traditional and possibly psychoactive plant medicine, commonly used in the form of eye drops. Sananga is used by the Kichwa of Ecuador and Aguaruna Jivaro of Peru to enhance eyesight, treat eye diseases, and cleanse “bad energy.” Most commercially available Sananga contains extract of Tabernaemontana undulata roots, though recipes can vary considerably by region and purpose and may instead contain Tabernaemontana sananho.

The exact mechanism that Sananga achieves any of its effects is currently not well-understood by science. Research on Tabernaemontana sananho indicates it has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. But it’s not clear if these properties can directly affect eyesight when used as Sananga. Tabernaemontana undulata contains indole alkaloids related to ibogaine. Still, Sanaga effects are not well-researched, and we don’t even know if you can absorb enough in through your eyes to cause any psychoactive impacts!

None of this means Sanaga doesn’t do what Indigenous people say it does, just that there isn’t yet any significant research from Western perspectives. Given that psychedelic enthusiasm can lead to over-harvesting of naturally occurring plant medicines, this may not be an entirely bad thing. 

Ushpa Washa (Tabernaemontana Undulata). Image by Gary Saucedo, (CC BY-SA 4.0)

What are the Benefits of Sananga?

Sananga can reportedly be used alone or together with ayahuasca, and many websites claim it has a powerful potential to heal various illnesses including:

• Eye problems ranging from near or farsightedness, astigmatism, glaucoma, or even blindness

• Accumulated unspecified body toxins

• Repressed anger

• Negative energies

• Addiction

• Depression and anxiety

Claims of an increase in visual perception, especially color brightness, are also common. As I will discuss below, none of these indications are supported by research at this time.

Why is Sananga Important?

Sananga forms part of a broader practice of plant medicine in the Indigenous groups who use it. In groups who use it in association with Ayahuasca, its ability to make visions more accessible suggests it would be of some spiritual significance. In contexts where eyesight for hunting is the difference between eating and going hungry, this is practically and culturally important. 

The full medicinal and therapeutic significance of Sananga isn’t clear yet. Suppose it proves successful in improving eyesight or visual processing and improving mood and energy levels. In that case, scientists will no doubt explore it with as much interest as more well-known plant medicines and psychedelics. 

Also (this is giving away a real secret), there isn’t much on the web about Sananga. So, perhaps cynically, it’s also “important” because it’s relatively easy to write content about it that will rank well in searches. The upside for businesses, especially Psychedelic Overground, should be obvious. But the other side of this is that articles written to rank well in searches miss out on the detail and nuance of what Sananga is, sometimes downplay Indigenous perspectives, and tend to gloss over just how little Western science knows about it. Don’t believe me? Google “What is Sananga?” As of the start of 2022, the first few pages of results will almost all fall into one of the following three categories: 

• Websites writing about Sananaga to rank for a low-difficulty search term

• Websites selling Sananga 

• People who earn a living writing or talking about their various experiences

There is some good information in these articles, and some people relay honest accounts of their experiences with Sananga. But the references cited are often the same and don’t always link directly to sources. For example, if you research Sananga online, you’ll see this exact paragraph a lot:

Furthermore, Sananga is often used to cure skin illnesses (dermatitis), suppress appetite (Jernigan 2009), ease dental problems (Shepard 1999), and counteract snakebite wounds and poisoning, cure eye wounds and rheumatism (Sanz-Biset et al. 2009; Schultes 1979). Another important curative aspect of the Apocynaceae family is its widely explored antimicrobial activity, which showed that this family has strong antioxidant (Pereira et al. 2005), anticancer (Kingston et al. 1977; Gunasekera et al. 1980), antifertility/ contraceptive (Meyeret al. 1973), antipyretic (fever reducing), anti-inflammatory (Taesotikul et al. 2003), anti-mycobacterial (Pereira et al. 2005), and antimicrobial (Beek et al. 1984; Suffredini et al. 2002; Ruttoh et al. 2009) effects. 

Some of these references are good. But many are talking about multiple different Tabernaemontana species. For others, either the original writer didn’t closely check what they were citing, or I’m looking in the wrong place. E.g., I think Jernigan (2009) refers to this 2009 article in the Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. But it just says that Tabernaemontana sananho, sometimes known as Uchu Sanango, is “vision producing” and is both used by hunters and given to dogs to enhance hunting ability (possibly along with Mansoa species.)

Uchu sanango (Tabernaemontana sananho). Image by Carlo Brescia, (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Similarly, while there are a few accounts of people doing 30-day or six-week “Sananga challenges,” there is relatively little material concerning any use of Tabernaemontana species. E.g., there are three (3) reports under Tabernaemontana in the Erowid Experience Vaults, all for Tabernaemontana sananho extract, none for Sanangna. 

Is Sananga the next ethical battleground in psychedelics? Get free critical analysis of cultural appropriation and policy shifts. Subscribe.

Is Sananga Psychoactive?

Since Sananga contain ibogaine-like alkaloids, it is definitely psychoactive, or potentially psychoactive at least. Taking into account the amount of active alkaloids that are likely to ender our bloodstream when using eyedrops, Sananga effects may be similar to microdosing iboga or ibogaine alkaloid extract.

The other psychoactive impact from Sananga can be due to the discomfort or pain experienced when it comes into contact with our eyes. When we feel pain or stress, our pituitary gland can release endorphins, which are neuropeptides that bind to opioid receptors in both our central and peripheral nervous systems. These “natural painkillers” can relieve pain and create a sense of wellbeing. An example of this is the “runners high” that some people experience in response to hard physical exercise.

Research has not been conducted on whether Sananga effects include significant endorphin release. But Ibogaine does interact with the same receptors as these endorphins, so it’s possible that a synergistic effect could occur between the ibogaine-like alkaloids of Sananga and the endorphins released in response to stinging eyes.

How long does Sananga last in the fridge

Reports vary on how long Sananga can last when refrigerated. Some vendors specify up to two years. But most sellers and users of Sananga agree that six months a much safer limit.

Whether it has been six months or not, a good practice is to always look for changes in the Sananga liquid, compared to when you first acquired it. Has it changed color? Does it smell different? Fizziness or other signs of fermentation, discoloration, changes in texture or new solids appearing in the liquid would all be signs that your Sanaga is hosting fungal or microbial life, and should be disposed of.

If you are unsure, especially if it’s been more than six months, or if you have not always been super-disciplined about keeping it in the fridge, the safest option is to tip out the old Sananga, and purchase a new batch. Your eyes will thank you!

Is Sananga Legal in the US?

Sananaga seems to be legal in the US, but you should always check relevant state and county laws. (This is not legal advice.) The question, “is Sananga legal?” is complex to answer in a lot of places. If it contains ibogaine or substances that could be considered analogs of ibogaine, then in many places the answer may be “no.”

4 Tips and Reminders for utilizing Sananga

• While Sananga has a history of traditional use, it has not been studied as much as other psychoactive plant preparations. Too few people have used it to conduct population-level studies on either side-effects or positive correlations. So, while it isn’t obviously toxic or dangerous, it’s not obviously non-toxic or totally safe, especially for long-term use.

• Sanaga may contain ibogaine-like alkaloids, and these chemicals can interact with a range of medications and other psychoactive substances. Even though the amount of alkaloid going into your body is far less than in traditional Iboga use, it’s worth being aware that your medications and Sananga could interfere with each other or change how they work.

• If you are purchasing Sananga, do so from a reputable supplier. Follow all instructions, and keep it in the fridge.

• All reports agree that putting Sananga in your eyes will burn, at least the first few times. There will be tears. Don’t wear contact lenses or eye makeup when using the drops.

So, there you have it! Sananga, even today, remains enigmatic and mysterious in its actions on our bodies and minds. Given the ever-growing momentum of the psychedelic industry, it’s likely that the Tabernaemontana species used to make it will face scientific scrutiny soon enough. When that day comes, let’s hope researchers and corporations alike can treat these plants and the people who hold the traditional Indigenous knowledge of them with the respect and reciprocity they deserve. 

Stay Ahead of the Psychedelic Curve

Every two weeks, I send The Ethical Trip, a newsletter containing:

• Unique industry analysis

• Deep philosophical dives into politics and culture

• Practical tips on harm reduction, activism or psychedelic business
  …and a dash of dark humour.

  👉 Subscribe Now | No Spam, Ever.

Do you own or work for a psychedelic business or corporation? Do you need content like this (but possibly without quite so much cynicism) to help drive engagement, improve discoverability, and enable search traffic to go to you rather than your competitors? If the answer is yes to at least one of those questions, please reach out via the button below or social media!