Ayahuasca plants

@plants 

Geplaatst door: @plants

↑

What kind of plants can you make ayahuasca with?

Traditional ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is traditionally prepared by combining two main components: the vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaves of the plant Psychotria viridis. The reason for this combination lies in the unique properties of both ingredients. The vine B. caapi contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which prevent dimethyltryptamine (DMT), present in the leaves of P. viridis, from being rapidly broken down. DMT is not orally active on its own because it is quickly metabolized in the stomach and liver, but when combined with MAOIs, it can enter the bloodstream and produce its psychoactive effects. This synergy between the two plants leads to the powerful and transformative experience characteristic of ayahuasca ceremonies.

Alternative Preparations (Anahuasca)

In addition to the traditional composition, ayahuasca can also be made with other plants. When a plant containing DMT (or a related tryptamine) is combined with a powerful MAOI, it is referred to as anahuasca. This alternative mixture functions in much the same way as traditional ayahuasca.

Example of other combinations

DMT source

addition to Psychotria viridis, the following plants can be considered as sources of DMT or similar tryptamines:

• Diplopterys cabrerana (also known as Chaliponga): The leaves typically contain between 0.28% and 1.39% DMT.
• Mimosa tenuiflora (also called Jurema or Mimosa hostilis): Contains between 0.31% and 1.26% DMT, often in the root bark.
• Acacia confusa: Already mentioned in your text, used in some ayahuasca analogs.
• Acacia maidenii: Another Acacia species used in certain neo-shamanic traditions in Australia as a DMT source.
• Anadenanthera peregrina: Traditionally used as an insufflated snuff (yopo), but this tree contains DMT and can be used in extracts as a source.
• Psychotria carthagenensis: A relative of P. viridis (sometimes referred to as Amyruca) used in certain regional variations.
• Psilocybin-containing mushrooms: As an alternative to DMT, this results in what is known as psilohuasca, where psilocybin (rather than DMT) is the primary psychedelic compound.

MAOI Source

For the MAOI component, in addition to Banisteriopsis caapi, other sources can be used:

• Peganum harmala (Syrian rue): The seeds contain harmala alkaloids such as harmine and harmaline, which are strong MAOIs.
• Passionflower (e.g., Passiflora incarnata): In high doses, this plant can have MAOI-like effects, although the concentrations can vary.
• Synthetic MAOIs: In some pharmahuasca preparations, synthetic or pharmaceutical MAOIs (such as moclobemide, a reversible MAOI or RIMA) are used to make DMT orally active.

Psiloflora a an legal alternative

Psiloflora can be an interesting, legal option for ceremonies in the Netherlands that resemble ayahuasca experiences. Instead of the traditional combination of the MAOI-rich Banisteriopsis caapi and a DMT source (such as Psychotria viridis), psiloflora utilizes legal psilocybin truffles combined with a mild MAOI—such as the one present in passionflower (Passiflora incarnata).

This combination offers several advantages:

• Lower risks: The MAOIs in passionflower are milder than those found in Banisteriopsis caapi, typically resulting in a reduced likelihood of side effects such as nausea, vomiting, or a significant increase in blood pressure.
• Less strict dietary requirements: Because the MAOI effect of passionflower is less potent, there is less need for a strictly tyramine-restricted diet. In traditional ayahuasca ceremonies, avoiding foods high in tyramine is essential to minimize risks like a hypertensive crisis. With psiloflora, these dietary restrictions are considerably relaxed, making both the preparation and the overall experience more manageable.
• Comparable therapeutic potential: Despite the milder MAOI, the combination with psilocybin truffles can still deliver a deep, transformative experience comparable to that of traditional

More info about ayahuasca: