Mucuna pruriens, also known as Cowage, Cowitch, Velvet Bean, and Pica, is a climbing shrub that can grow up to thirty feet in height. It has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of many diseases, and even for snake bites.

The seeds of Velvet Bean contain high amounts of levo-dopa, which is a closely related to neurotransmitter dopamine. Mucuna pruriens also contains serotonin, 5-HTP, nicotine, and DMT among other substances.

Due to large amount of substances in Mucuna pruriens, it may have psychedelic effects. It has also been used when making ayahuasca.

The plant creates leaves that are about four to ten inches long and composed of three leaflets. The pods of Velvet Bean contain three to six black seeds. The pods have hairs that can cause irritation on skin.