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Recent advances illuminate mescaline biosynthesis in cacti, horizontal gene transfer of psilocybin clusters in fungi, and symbiont-derived alkaloids in grasses. We also assess the debate surrounding endogenous mammalian tryptamines, arguing that the leading hypothesis points toward sigma-1 receptor-mediated cytoprotection and stress responses, supported by convergent pharmacological and cellular evidence, rather than inherent hallucinogenic functions. Across kingdoms, natural hallucinogens appear to converge on conserved neural targets, including serotonergic and other neuromodulatory systems that are shared across phyla. From this perspective, human psychoactivity is likely an evolutionary by-product of molecules selected for ecological interactions with animals possessing deeply conserved receptor architectures. Framing hallucinogens through chemical ecology not only clarifies their origins but also highlights translational opportunities in target discovery, pathway engineering, and sustainable production, while emphasizing the need to integrate conservation, ethical sourcing, and benefit-sharing into the current hallucinogenic renaissance.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1073\/pnas.2535785123","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,24]],"date-time":"2026-06-24T17:42:04Z","timestamp":1782322924000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1073\/pnas.cm10313","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["RETRACTED: Chemical ecology and convergent evolution of natural hallucinogens: From ecological defense to conserved neural 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