Isolated reports describe rituals that involve smoking a plant believed to be this species, drinking it as a tea, and placing it under a pillow to induce divinatory or lucid dreams due to its properties as an oneirogen.

[6] Users take the plant to help them remember their dreams;[2][7] known side effects include nausea and vomiting related to the taste and mild-to-severe allergic reaction.

[15][16] Calea ternifolias negative side effects, nausea, vomiting and delirium based hallucinations,[17] are the same that of Eugenol[16] and other GABAergic compounds.

The properties of GABA positive modulating substances typically are anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, oneirogenic, sedative, hypnotic, euphoriant, and muscle relaxant effects.

In a study, 12 participants were given extracts of Calea ternifolia and experienced effects of mild augmentation of sensorial perceptions, imaginings, thought gaps, and retrieval problems; lethargy and a short sleep with vivid dreams.

[2][19] Under the Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 in the United Kingdom, Calea is technically illegal, however as the mechanisms are not well understood, it cannot be classed as a CNS stimulant or Depressant and therefor is legal.