Ayahuasca Information
Ayahuasca
- Ayahuasca, pronounced aya-waska, is a psychoactive medicinal brew that originates from the Amazon basin in the Amazon rainforest that has been used for the sake of spiritual and healing purposes by indigenous tribes and communities for hundreds of years, and according to the pioneering psychiatrist and philosopher Claudio Naranjo, possibly for thousands of years.
- The brew is primarily composed of two plants, the Banisteriopsis caapi vine (and sometimes its leaves), as well as the Psychotria viridis plant, though there are several variations of the brew and quite often other plants are added to enhance and bring about specific effects. Some of these plants, but not limited to only these, are Chaliponga (Diploterys cabrerana), Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica), Bobinsana, (Calliandra angustifolia), and Datura or Toé (Brugmansia suaveolens)
- Banisteriopsis caapi, the vine, contains harmala alkaloids, including harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine. These alkaloids act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, also referred to as MAOIs, which prevent the breakdown of certain neurotransmitters (most specifically DMT).
- Psychotria viridis, commonly known as Chacruna, provides the DMT (dimethyltryptamine) for the brew. Sometimes Diploterys cabrerana, commonly know as Chaliponga, is aded to the brew. Chaliponga contains higher amounts of DMT as well as 5-MeO-DMT, methyltryptamine, and trace amounts of buftenin.
- Ayahuasca analogs are brews using different plants than the traditional Amazonian based plants, but have the same active ingredients as Ayahuasca. The most common ones of these use Syrian Rue seeds as a the MAOI. For the DMT they use either one of several varieties of higher DMT containing Acacia, such as Acacia confusa, Acacia phylebophylla, and Acacia maidenii, but not limited to just those varieties; or Mimosa tenuiflora or Mimosa hostilis, also known as Jurema. It is important to note that Mimosa tenuiflora is found in parts of Brazil and has been documented to have several centuries of ritualistic use among various indigenous groups of Brazil, so one could make a case for it being a form of a traditional Ayahuasca brew, rather than an analogue.
How the plants effect the brain and body:
- DMT is structurally similar to serotonin, a key neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation, perception, and cognition. Once ingested and absorbed into the bloodstream, DMT crosses the blood brain-barrier and binds primarily to serotonin (5HT2A) receptors in the brain. Activation of these receptors leads to altered states of consciousness, characterized by an enhancement of the five senses, changes in the perception of time, and profound introspective experiences.
- The harmala alkaloids in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine act as reversible MAOIs, inhibiting the action of the MAO-A enzyme. This inhibition is critical because it allows the DMT from the Psychtria viridis leaves, as well as natural DMT in the body, to bypass the usual breakdown in the stomach and enter the bloodstream.
- Harmala alkaloids have psychoactive properties themselves and can also contribute to the overall experience by enhancing serotonin levels, leading to a synergistic effect that enhances the hallucinogenic, introspection, and healing experience.
Additional effects on the brain:
- Activation of the Default Mode Network (DMN) The DMN is associated with self-referential thoughts, ego, and day-to-day thinking patterns. Ayahuasca is believed to reduce the activity of the DMN which can lead to a state of ego dissolution or a greater sense of unity with one's surroundings. This enhanced state of consciousness can foster profound self-reflection and a reevaluation of one’s beliefs and experiences, as well as offer new perspectives that can help release one from cyclical thinking and behaviors.
- Neuroplasticity: Research indicates that DMT and harmala alkaloids can promote neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons) and increase the brain's plasticity. This means Ayahuasca has therapeutic potential for conditions like depression and anxiety by enabling new pathways of thought and behavior.
- Increase in Serotonin Activity: The stimulation of 5-HT2A receptors leads to a surge in serotonin levels, which may contribute to the euphoric and emotional experiences reported during an ayahuasca session.
- Neurotransmitter Modulation: The main action of ayahuasca involves the modulation of serotonin and other neurotransmitters through its interaction with 5-HT2A receptors.
- Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties: Some research shows that the harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, contributing to overall brain health.
- Alteration of Brainwave Activity: Studies have indicated that ayahuasca can shift brainwave activity to theta and gamma wave patterns, which are associated with deep meditation, insight, and heightened states of awareness.
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