Description

Ayahuasca Also known as:

• (2-Indol-3-ylethyl)dimethylamine

• 1H-Indole-3-ethanamine, N,N-dimethyl-[ACD/Index Name]

• 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamin[German][ACD/IUPAC Name]

• 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethylethanamine[ACD/IUPAC Name]

• 2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-N,N-diméthyléthanamine[French][ACD/IUPAC Name]

• 200-508-4[EINECS]

• 61-50-7[RN]

• Dimethyltryptamine[Wiki]

• DMT

• Indole, 3-(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl)-

• Indole, 3-[2- (dimethylamino)ethyl]-

• Indole, 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-

• MFCD00055989[MDL number]

• N,N-Dimethyl-1H-indole-3-ethanamine

• N,N-dimethyl-1H-indole-3-ethylamine

• N,N-Dimethyltryptamine[Wiki]

• N,N-DMT

• tryptamine, dimethyl-

• [2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-dimethyl-

• [2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]dimethylamine

• [2-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-ethyl]-dimethyl-amine

• 138259[Beilstein]

• 1H-INDOLE-3-ETHANAMINE,N,N-DIMETHYL

• 1H-Indole-3-ethanamine,N,N-dimethyl-

• 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl-dimethyl-amine

• 2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N,N-dimethyl-ethanamine

• 2-(3-indolyl)ethyldimethylamine

• 3-(2-(Dimethylamino)ethyl)-Indole

• 3-(2-Dimethylaminoethyl) indole

• 3-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)indole

• 3-[2- (Dimethylamino)ethyl]-Indole

• 3-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]indole

• 5-22-10-00048 (Beilstein Handbook Reference)[Beilstein]

• N N-DIMETHYL-1H-INDOLE-3-ETHYLAMINE

• WLN: T56 BMJ D2N1&1

A concoction made of two or more plants that contain at least an MAOI and DMT, the combination of which allows the DMT to work orally. Typically associated to south american cultures. Also, sometimes approximated synthetically by taking an external MAOI with extracted DMT. Causes intense, spiritually orientated hallucinogenic experiences.

Summary

Of these, it most commonly consists of a DMT-containing plant source in combination with one that contains an MAOI or RIMA (typically sources like B. caapi vine or syrian rue) to produce uniquely potent, sometimes medicinal, psychedelic effects. The co-consumption of an MAOI agent is necessary for the combination to work, as the DMT molecule (which is a monoamine closely related to serotonin) is rendered almost entirely inactive when digested by itself due to the presence of monoamine oxidase enzymes in the stomach, which rapidly degrades it.

Ayahuasca is used as a traditional spiritual medicine in ceremonies among the Indigenous peoples of Amazonian Peru, many of whom say that they received the instructions in its use directly from the plants and plant spirits themselves. Ayahuasca was first described outside of Indigenous communities in the early 1950s by Harvard ethnobotanist Richard Evans Schultes, who became aware of the Native communities who use it for divinatory and healing purposes. As is the case with psychedelics in general, ayahuasca is not considered to be dependence-forming or addictive by the research and medical community.

Nevertheless, unpredictable adverse reactions such as anxiety, paranoia, delusions and psychotic breaks can still always occur, particularly among those predisposed to psychiatric disorders. While these negative reactions or “bad trips” can often be attributed to factors like the user’s inexperience or improper preparation of their set and setting, they have been known to happen spontaneously among even the most experienced of users as well. This is why despite its scientifically-backed reputation for possessing both negligible-to-no physical and neurotoxicity, it is still highly advised to approach this powerful and unpredictable hallucinogenic substance with the proper amount of precaution, and harm reduction practices if one chooses to use it.

History

A 1000-year-old collection of drug paraphernalia found in a rock shelter in Bolivia features traces of five psychoactive chemicals, including cocaine and components of ayahuasca. Ayahuasca ceremoniesThere have been several documented cases of avoidable deaths caused by frauds pretending to be shamans during "traditional" ayahuasca ceremonies. The ingredient known to cause problems is known specifically as brugmansia, which can cause issues when co-administered with an MAOI. An effective ayahuasca brew does not have to be more complicated than a suitable source of DMT (such as mimosa or acacia) and a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA or MAOI).

Using other ingredients along with the ayahuasca can potentially be dangerous; any potential interactions should be carefully researched before ingestion. Another concern of ayahuasca ceremonies is the culture of mysticism and pseudoscience produced from centuries of mythological ritual, leading to a bias following the delusion of a single cultural narrative. There is an irrational belief that ayahuasca should only to be used in the Amazon rainforest in the presence of a shaman. This belief leads many to shun the idea of taking ayahuasca outside of this potentially toxic environment for no logical reason.

Chemistry

Dose Chart

Duration Chart

Legal Status

Internationally, DMT is a Schedule I drug under the Convention on Psychotropic Substances. The Commentary on the Convention on Psychotropic Substances notes, however, that the plants containing it are not subject to international control:

Sources