An aerosol-generating article is provided for producing an inhalable aerosol upon heating, the aerosol-generating article including: an aerosol-forming substrate including a gel composition, the gel composition including at least one gelling agent, at least one of an alkaloid compound and a cannabinoid compound, and an aerosol former; an upstream element upstream of the aerosol-forming substrate; and a recess extending from an upstream end of the aerosol-generating article, through the upstream element, and through at least a portion of the aerosol-forming substrate, in which a longitudinal inner surface of the recess is provided with a wrapper.