Ayahuasca from the Amazon
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew traditionally used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon region of South America. The origins of ayahuasca likely date back thousands of years, when indigenous tribes in the Amazon used it for healing, spiritual and religious rituals, and to connect with their ancestors and the universe. It is composed of the *Banisteriopsis caapi* plant and other plants, such as chacruna, which contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
These plants are harvested, brewed and served by indigenous shamans or healers during ceremonies in which participants vomit and may experience visions that can help them with their personal development or in finding answers to life's questions. The use of ayahuasca has spread to other parts of the world over recent decades and is now seen as a potential tool in the treatment of anxiety, depression and addiction.
The very first ayahuasca traditions dictated that only the shaman drank ayahuasca and sang songs for the people seeking healing. Later, through the influence of Western clientele, the practice changed to a ceremony in which everyone drinks ayahuasca.
What are the active ingredients?
During traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, not all ayahuasca brews contain DMT. In some variants, these plants are omitted or replaced with other plants.
However, the reason DMT is now considered important is because it is the most active substance in ayahuasca and is responsible for the most intense hallucinations. Furthermore, it is regarded as the primary component for the brew's healing effects, as it can open the mind to new insights and perspectives.
However, traditional users of ayahuasca believe precisely that it is the combination of all the plants present that determines the potency of the brew, or that the banisteriopsis caapi plant alone may bear the name ayahuasca. They regard ayahuasca as a sacred medicine that can heal and liberate body, mind and soul, regardless of which exact plants are used.
DMT in ayahuasca
DMT is a tryptamine and neurotransmitter that acts on the serotonin receptors in the brain. As can be seen in the image above, DMT has a molecular structure that is similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin and the psychedelic psilocin (from truffles and magic mushrooms).
When DMT is smoked, it causes a strong and short trip that lasts about 10-30 minutes. Orally, DMT is not active, but when taken as an ayahuasca mixture, it is. In the form of ayahuasca, the trip lasts an average of 6 hours. It can have various visual and audiovisual effects, such as patterns and geometric shapes, changes in the colour and intensity of light, and unreal experiences. Some people also experience a sense of connection with the universe and spiritual or mystical sensations.
In the brain, DMT acts on serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A receptor. This can lead to changes in perception, mood, consciousness and emotions. This activity in the brain resembles the activity during dreaming, which may explain the hallucinogenic effects.
Banisteriopsis caapi as an MAOI
DMT is a relatively unstable substance that is broken down in the gastrointestinal tract by the MAO enzyme. Banisteriopsis caapi contains MAO inhibitors that block this enzyme and ensure that DMT remains active when ingested. This allows DMT to cross the blood-brain barrier and become psychoactive. The blocking of the MAO enzyme by banisteriopsis caapi also ensures that neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, remain active for longer, which contributes to the psychoactive effect of ayahuasca. It is therefore the combination of DMT and MAO inhibitors from banisteriopsis caapi that makes the modern experience of ayahuasca possible.
The ayahuasca ceremony
The ayahuasca ceremony is led by a shaman, who is responsible for preparing the ayahuasca and guiding the participants during their journey. The shaman sings songs called icaros. These are traditional songs used to provide spiritual healing and protection, and to guide the journey. The aim of the ceremony is to promote healing and spiritual growth, and ayahuasca is seen as a powerful tool for unlocking emotional blockages and revealing inner wisdom.
Historically, moreover, the participants remained completely sober and only the shaman drank ayahuasca. This was because the shaman was considered to be filled with spiritual power and knowledge and was deemed to be the only one capable of interpreting the visions and messages of the plant spirits. .
However, in some traditions, experienced participants were also allowed to take a small amount of ayahuasca to help them connect with the plant spirits. However, this was only permitted after they had undergone thorough preparation, such as following a strict diet and abstaining from sexual activity.
Nowadays there are many variations on these traditions and there are ayahuasca ceremonies in which both the shaman and the participants take ayahuasca. These modern practices are not true to the ancient traditions and it is important to prepare well for such ceremonies.
The ayahuasca diet
Due to the presence of MAO inhibitors, a special diet is necessary to avoid complications. Tyramine is a substance commonly found in foods such as cheese, red wine, beer and smoked meats. When tyramine is ingested together with MAO inhibitors, as in ayahuasca, this can lead to elevated blood pressure and potentially life-threatening reactions. To avoid this risk, it is recommended to follow a low-tyramine diet in the days prior to drinking ayahuasca. This diet limits the intake of tyramine-rich foods and preparations that naturally contain tyramine, such as fermented foods. By following this diet, the risk of a potentially dangerous interaction between ayahuasca and tyramine can be reduced, thereby increasing the chance of a safe and beneficial experience with ayahuasca.
Ayahuasca in the Netherlands
Because DMT on its own is illegal in the Netherlands, the use of ayahuasca containing DMT is also illegal. In the Netherlands, the Supreme Court reaffirmed this ban in 2018. Before the ban, some religious groups, such as Santo Daime, had an exemption from this ban due to their sacramental use of ayahuasca during their ceremonies. Since 2018, it has therefore been illegal to possess or sell ayahuasca (containing DMT) or to hold ceremonies with it.
Legal and safer alternatives
The MAO inhibitors present in ayahuasca cause an increased risk of health complaints. Psilocybin, on the other hand, works orally and MAOIs are not needed. If you still add MAO inhibitors, you can save on the amount of psilocybin-containing magic mushrooms or truffles. When adding many MAO inhibitors, the trip also lasts a few hours longer. The addition of Banisteriopsis caapi is therefore not necessary. All in all, the psilocybin ceremony is safer and if psilocybin-containing truffles are used, it is even legal.
If a mild MAOI is still used, psiloflora could be the solution. Psiloflora is the combination of magic truffles and passion flower (passiflora incarnata). With this combination of passion flower and truffles, there are fewer side effects, vomiting hardly occurs, it gives a calmer trip and there are fewer negative interactions with food, medicines and supplements. More information can be found via the buttons below.
FAQ ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a powerful psychoactive plant brew traditionally used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon for spiritual and medicinal purposes. The main active ingredient in ayahuasca is dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic compound. When ayahuasca is consumed, the DMT interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to altered states of consciousness, vivid visions and intense emotional experiences.
The MAO inhibitors present in the ayahuasca brew enable the DMT to reach the brain without being broken down by the body's enzymes that normally degrade it. This prolonged exposure to DMT can cause profound changes in thought patterns, mood, and behaviour, which can lead to self-reflection, insights, and personal growth.
It is also believed that ayahuasca interacts with the digestive system, which can cause physical purging such as vomiting and diarrhoea. This is seen as a necessary part of the process, helping to release negative emotions, toxins and other substances that may block personal growth and inner healing.
Ayahuasca is considered illegal in the Netherlands. Despite its traditional use in some indigenous cultures, the psychoactive substance is classified as a Schedule I drug under Dutch law, meaning that it is considered a drug with no medical or scientific value and has a high potential for abuse and dependence.
Drinking ayahuasca can carry a number of risks. Drinking the brew can lead to severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Some people may experience severe psychological reactions, including anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations or dissociation. Ayahuasca can also cause interactions with other medicines or exacerbate health conditions, so it is important to research beforehand whether it is safe. Ayahuasca can bring up emotional traumas or memories that are too painful to deal with without professional help.
Generally speaking, vomiting during an ayahuasca ceremony is a common experience and can be considered part of the healing processes. Ayahuasca contains powerful psychoactive substances that can have strong physiological and psychological effects on the body and mind. The nausea and vomiting can be caused by the presence of the MAOi. MAOis disrupt the functioning of certain necessary processes in the body, which makes it understandable that the body has an aversion to these substances.
Yes, multiple people have died as a result of using ayahuasca. It is important to emphasise that ayahuasca, when correctly prepared and used under the guidance of experienced and trained shamans, is generally considered safe. However, if it is prepared in an improper way, or if it is abused by ignorant or inexperienced users, it can cause severe physical and psychological harm and even be fatal.
In some cases, deaths were due to the interaction between ayahuasca and other medicines or the user's health problems. In other cases, death was the result of a lack of supervision, incorrect dosage, or incorrect preparation of the ayahuasca. It is therefore essential to consider the use of ayahuasca only under strict and safe conditions.
Under Dutch law, ayahuasca is a hard drug. It is listed on Schedule 1 of the Opium Act and is therefore illegal.
Ayahuasca is traditionally made from two main ingredients: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis plant. The vine contains MAO inhibitors, while the leaves contain dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The combination of these two plants results in the psychedelic Ayahuasca brew. Sometimes other plants containing DMT are also used, such as Acacia confusa, Acacia obtusifolia or Mimosa hostilis (Jurema).
Yes, cases are known in which ayahuasca can lead to psychosis. Although ayahuasca is generally considered safe when administered under the guidance of an experienced shaman or facilitator, there are known cases where its use has led to acute psychosis. This can be caused by various factors, including unexpected reactions to the psychoactive substances, the individual's sensitivity, their psychological history, and/or insufficient preparation or guidance during the ceremony.
Ayahuasca is almost always brewed as a tea. Only in a few cases is the ayahuasca so heavily reduced or processed that we cannot call it a tea. It is therefore almost always a tea, completely in accordance with ancient traditions.
Yes, ayahuasca therapy does exist. However, these forms of therapy are not recognised as medical treatments. We expect that ayahuasca therapy will only become possible in a legal manner in the Netherlands after MDMA and psilocybin are first recognised as medical treatments.
An ayahuasca ceremony is considered spiritual because it enables a deep connection between the individual and the universe, nature and the community. The experience can be very intense and can bring about feelings of connectedness, insight and transformation. The ceremony is also often surrounded by rituals and symbolic actions that reinforce the community and the connection with the spiritual world and nature. The combination of these elements makes an ayahuasca ceremony an important spiritual ritual for many people who are looking for a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationship to the universe.
