DMT, psilocybin and MAOIs
We regularly receive questions about what the best psychedelic ceremony is for depression, addictions, anxiety or for a spiritual journey. Is ayahuasca better suited than a truffle ceremony and what is psilohuasca or psiloflora? We will explain the differences in this blog. The similarities between the different ceremonies is the use of psychedelics of the tryptamine class in combination with or without MAOIs. For example, ayahuasca contains the tryptamine DMT + the MAOi Banisteriopsis Caapi (MAO inhibitor) and MAOi is not used in truffle ceremonies because it is not necessary for truffles, but is possible. Here is a handy overview of the ingredients used.
| Ayahuasca | Psilohuasca | Psiloflora | Truffle | |
| MAOI | Banisteriopsis Caapi | Banisteriopsis Caapi | Passiflora incarnata | no |
| Active tryptamine | n,n-DMT | 4HO-DMT | 4HO-DMT | 4HO-DMT |
| Source tryptamine | M. Hostilis | Mushroom/truffle | Mushroom/truffle | Mushroom/truffle |
| Diet needed | Strict | Strict | Yes | no |
MAOIs are necessary for ayahuasca
At both ayahuasca, psilohuasca and psiloflora, MAOi is used. Banisteriopsis Caapi is usually used with ayahusca and psilohuasca and this is a strong MAO inhibitor. MAO inhibitors disable the MAO enzyme. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are broken down by the enzyme MonoAmino Oxidase. The psychedelic tryptamines are also broken down by MAO enzymes. If there is an MAOi Banisteriopsis Caapi, the MAO enzyme no longer works and the tryptamines and neurotransnitters present remain active longer. The MAOi is especially necessary with ayahuasca as DMT is broken down very quickly and is therefore not orally active. Psilocybin from truffles is broken down much more slowly by MAO and therefore an MAOi is not necessary. If an MAOi is used with truffles, the trip can be extended and less of the truffles or mushrooms are needed.
MAOIs pose additional risks
The use of MAOIs disables regulatory enzymes. In addition to the benefits of a longer psychedelic session, it unfortunately also has a number of disadvantages and possible dangers. MAO also breaks down tyramine, a monoamine that can increase in levels when using MAOi and can increase blood pressure to such an extent that it becomes a danger. To limit the danger of tyramine, a strict diet is needed. Other disadvantages of using Banisteriopsis Caapi as an MAO inhibitor is that it can also increase dopamine and other neurotransmitters, while psychedelic journeys increasingly require mainly only the seronergic receptors to be stimulated. Furthermore, there are adverse interactions with medications and the Banisteriopsis Caapi causes a very high degree of physical discomfort during the first two hours of the ceremony.
Truffles are safer
The safest psychedelic and perhaps drug itself is the magic truffle. Since the confirmation of the illegality of DMT and ayahuasca, this magic truffle is increasingly combined with the MAOi of ayahuasca, the Banisteriopsis Caapi, which we call psilohuasca. This combination is quite new and has not yet been thoroughly investigated. There are also additional risks associated with the use of the strong MAOi Banisteriopsis Caapi, while it is not necessary to add a strong MAOi to the psilocybin from truffles. Psilocybin is orally active. It is safer to take a higher dose of truffles than a lower dose in combination with an MAOi such as Banisteriopsis Caapi. So if you want a longer and deeper trip, increasing the dosage is better than adding Banisteriopsis Caapi.
Psiloflora as an alternative
With psiloflora, the psilocybin-containing truffle is combined with the passiflora incarnata (passion flower). The reason why adding the passion flower to the truffles is that this mix adds a number of nice properties to the psychedelic truffles without increasing the risks of complications as much as with strong MAO inhibitors (ayahuasca, psilohuasca, etc.).
The combination of psilocybin and Passiflora incarnata provides the following benefits:
- Soothing effect
- Deeper trip (trip level 5)
- Longer trip (up to 8 hours)
- Clear trip
- More visual trip
In addition to the improving effect of a psychedelic trip, Passiflora incarnata is also sometimes used without psychedelics against ADHD, nervousness, nervous heart complaints, Parkinson's disease, seizures, muscle cramps, hysteria, hypertension, PMS, epilepsy, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, burns, asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, infections and as a painkiller for many ailments. Also for problems associated with menopause. It is also used as a means to reduce the effects of alcoholism, to facilitate quitting drinking and is also used for delirium tremens.
Read here more about Passiflora incarnata
What is the best choice now?
Every ceremony is different and what is best depends on personal preference. In trip therapy, the truffle ceremony is preferred and if you want to taste an MAOi inhibitor in a safe way while using psychedelics, the psiloflora is in our opinion the best choice. Our advice is a consideration between the effect and the low risks. Ultimately it is about safety and the result.
Who is it suitable for?
Due to the extended duration of the psychedelic effects during the psiloflora ceremony, it is advisable to already have some experience with psychedelics. If you have no experience with psychedelics, you can still participate, but the advice is to take less of the psilocybin tea and, if desired, to take a second psilocybin tea an hour after taking it. If fear plays a major role, it is advisable to start with a low dose or medium dose truffle ceremony. How experienced someone is with psychedelics naturally plays a role in choosing a ceremony.
See below our advice on suitability to participate in the truffle and/or psiloflora ceremonies.
| Truffle ceremony | Trip level | Length of time (h) | Eligibility |
| Low dose | 1-2 | 2-3 | Beginner |
| Medium dose | 3-4 | 3-5 | Beginner |
| High dose | 4-5 | 4-6 | Some experience |
| Heroic dose | 5 | 5-8 | More experienced |
| Psiloflora* | 4-5 | 5-8 | Some experience |
| Extended psiloflora** | 4-5 | 8-10 | Some experience |
Knowing more?
Would you like to know more about the terms or ceremonies used? Then use the links below to read more about the topics.
MAOI |Tyramine | Ayahuasca | Psilohuasca | DMT | Psilocybin | Psilocin | Psiloflora