AYAHUASCA

Ayahuasca (pronounced /eye-uh-WAHS-kuh/ and also known as Yagé) is an umbrella term that refers to a wide variety of traditional and modern brews and infusions of natural plant sources that produce powerful psychoactive or hallucinogenic effects. 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,[4] 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.

There 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.

  Ayahuasca's psychedelic effects have been confirmed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain an object of scientific eludication.

Harmala alkaloids are classed as MAO-inhibiting beta-carbolines. The three most studied harmala alkaloids in the B. caapi vine are harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine. Harmine and harmaline are selective and reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), while tetrahydroharmine is a weak serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI).

This inhibition of MAO-A allows DMT to diffuse unmetabolized past the membranes in the stomach and small intestine, eventually crossing the blood–brain barrier (which, by itself, requires no MAO-A inhibition) to activate receptor sites in the brain. Without RIMAs or MAOIs of MAO-A, DMT would be oxidized (and thus rendered biologically inactive) by monoamine oxidase enzymes in the digestive tract.

 PHYSICAL EFFECTS

        STIMULATION OR SEDATION - In terms of its effects on the physical energy levels of the user, ayahuasca is entirely setting dependent. For example, when taken in social settings with fast-paced music or during physically demanding situations (such as running, walking, climbing or dancing) it becomes stimulating and energetic. In contrast, however, when taken in peaceful environments (such as darkened rooms with comfortable seating) it can become relaxing, peaceful and sedating.

        SPONTANEOUS PHYSICAL SENSATIONS - The "body high" of ayahuasca can be described as a pleasurable, warm, soft and all-encompassing glow. For some, it is manifested spontaneously at different, unpredictable points throughout the trip, but for others, it maintains a consistent presence that steadily rises with the onset and hits its limit once the peak has been reached.

        NAUSEA - In its traditional form, ayahuasca is famous for its purgative properties which can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and cold flashes. This effect is known as "la purga" or "the purge" and its presence is completely avoidable and dependent on the specific form or recipe of ayahuasca being used. The intense vomiting and occasional diarrhea it induces is often considered by many shamans and experienced users of ayahuasca to be an essential part of the experience as it represents a speculative healing process and the release of negative emotions built up over the course of one's life. Studies have demonstrated a certain truth behind this speculation and shown that the purging process can clear the body of worms and other tropical parasites. Harmala alkaloids themselves have been shown to expel parasitic worms from the body by either stunning or killing them. Thus, this action is twofold; a direct action on the parasites by these harmala alkaloids (particularly harmine in ayahuasca) works to kill the parasites and the parasites are expelled through the increased intestinal motility that is caused by these alkaloids. It is worth noting that the overall cognitive positivity or negativity of an ayahuasca trip in psychologically balanced individuals depends greatly on how nauseating or purgative the chosen method of preparation is. For example, paranoia, anxiety, delirium and a difficulty stringing thoughts together often immediately manifest themselves during uncomfortable states of nausea for the inexperienced, but remain absent when purge-free methods of preparation are used.

CHANGES IN FELT BODILY FORM
PHYSICAL EUPHORIA
MUSCLE TENSION OR RELAXATION
PHYSICAL AUTONAMY
MOTOR CONTROL LOSS
MUSCLE CONTRACTIONS
MUSCLE SPASMS
APPETITE SUPPRESSION
STOMACH CRAMPS
DEHYDRATION
DIAREHHA
PUPIL DILATION
PERCEPTION OF BODILY HEAVINESS
PERCEPTION OF BODILY LIGHTNESS

COGNITIVE EFFECTS

    The cognitive effects of ayahuasca are described by many as extremely sober and clear-headed in style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or psilocin. This is despite the fact that it contains a large number of psychedelic typical and unique cognitive effects. The most prominent of these typical effects include:

        MINDFULNESS - This is an effect which is unique to ayahuasca due to how consistently it is manifested and the way in which it can sustain itself for days, weeks or even months after a single high dose experience. This is an extremely beneficial and therapeutic effect for personal psychological health. In contrast, other more commonly used psychedelics such as LSD and mescaline tend to only induce this effect in an exclusive, spontaneous and temporary form.

        LANGUAGE SUPPRESSION - This effect can be described as a perceived inability or general unwillingness to talk aloud despite feeling perfectly capable of formulating coherent thoughts within one's internal narrative. It is much more common among inexperienced users.

        EMPATHY, AFFECTION AND SOCIABILITY - This effect differs from MDMA and other entactogens in that it isn't as central to the experience, feels more natural and less forced, and is experienced at a less consistent rate. The sociability enhancement in particular only occurs sometimes in certain settings.

ADDICTION SUPPRESSION
ANALYSIS ENHANCEMENT
CATHARSIS
CONCEPTUAL THINKING
CREATIVITY ENHANCEMENT
DELUSION
DEJA VU
AUTONOMOUS VOICE COMMUNICATION
EGO REPLACEMENT
PERSONALITY DIGRATION
EMOTIONAL ENHANCEMENT
PERCEIVED EXPOSURE TO THE INNER MECHANICS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
ENHANCEMENT AND SUPPRESSION CYCLES
   PERSONAL MEANING ENHANCEMENT
   IMMERSION ENHANCEMENT
NOVELTY ENHANCEMENT
 PERSONAL BIAS SUPPRESSION
  SUGGESTABILITY ENHANCEMENT
INCREASED MUSIC APPRECIATION
   INCREASED SENSE OF HUMOUR
 LAUGHTER FITS
MEMORY SUPPRESSION
   EGO DEATH
 REJUVINATION
  MULTIPLE THOUGHT STREAMS
THOUGHT ACCELERATION
   THOUGHT CONNECTIVITY
 THOUGHT ORGANISATION
 TIME DISTORTION
WAKEFULNESS

AUDITORY EFFECTS

ENHANCEMENT
DISTORTIONS
HALLUCINATIONS

MULTI-SENSORY EFFECTS

SYNAESTHESIA
        DOSAGE INDEPENDANT INTENSITY

TRANSPERSONAL EFFECTS

    Anecdotally, these components are generally considered to be most consistent with the naturally-occurring entheogenic tryptamines such as ayahuasca, ibogaine and psilocybin. They are listed below as follows:

        UNITY AND CONNECTEDNESS  - This is an effect which is unique within ayahuasca due to how consistently it is manifested as an accompanying effect alongside of ego suppression and ego death. In contrast, other more commonly used psychedelics such as LSD and psilocin tend to induce this effect unreliably by comparison.

      EXISTENTIAL SELF-REALIZATION
  SPIRITUALITY ENHANCEMENT
FEELINGS OF SELF-DOUBT
FEELINGS OF ETERNALISM
FEELINGS OF INTERDEPENDANT OPPOSITES

VISUAL EFFECTS

        DRIFTING (melting, flowing, breathing and morphing) - In comparison to other psychedelics, this effect can be described as highly detailed, slow and smooth in motion and static in appearance.

COLOUR ENHANCEMENT
PATTERN RECOGNITION ENHANCEMENT
VISUAL ACUITY ENHANCEMENT
MAGNIFICATION
DISTORTION
TRACERS
AFTER IMAGES
COLOUR SHIFTING
COLOUR TINTING
SCENERY SLICING
SYMMETRICAL TEXTURE REPETITION

    GEOMETRY

    The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of psilocybin mushrooms than LSD or mescaline. It can be comprehensively described through its variations as intricate in complexity, abstract in form, organic in feel, structured in organization, multicoloured in scheme, glossy in shading, equal in sharp and blurred edges, large in size, fast in speed, smooth in motion, equal in rounded and angular corners, non-immersive in-depth and progressive in intensity. 

    HALLUCINATORY STATES

    Ayahuasca and other forms of DMT produce a full range of high-level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of any other commonly used psychedelic. These effects include:

        MACHINESCAPES - Although common, this component is generally less consistent and reproducible when compared to DMT, psilocybin and Salvia Divinorum.

        INTERNAL HALLUCINATIONS (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; perspective hallucinations and scenarios and plots) - This effect is very consistent in dark environments at appropriately high dosages. They can be comprehensively described through their variations as lucid in believability, interactive in style, new experiences in content, autonomous in controllability, geometry-based in style and almost exclusively of a personal, religious, spiritual, science-fiction, fantasy, surreal, nonsensical, or transcendental nature in their overall theme.

        EXTERNAL HALLUCINATIONS (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; perspective hallucinations and scenarios and plots) - These are more common within dark environments and can be comprehensively described through their variations as lucid in believability, interactive in style, new experiences in content, autonomous in controllability, geometry-based in style and almost exclusively of a personal, religious, spiritual, science-fiction, fantasy, surreal, nonsensical or transcendental nature in their overall theme.

TRANSFORMATIONS

DOSAGE: DEPENDANT ON HOW IT'S MADE. CONSUME IN THE PRESENCE OF A SHAMAN!