[Opgelost] Ayahuasca plants

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:

Making ayahuasca is essentially a "biochemical puzzle" that requires two specific types of plants to work in tandem. By itself, the primary psychoactive ingredient (DMT) is broken down by your stomach before it can reach your brain. You need a second plant to "unlock" it.

Here is the breakdown of the plants used to create this brew.

1. The Traditional Amazonian "Power Couple"

In the Amazon, traditional ayahuasca (often called Daime or Vegetal) is almost always made from these two plants:

1. The Vine (Banisteriopsis caapi): Known simply as "Ayahuasca" or "the vine of the soul." It provides the MAOIs (Harmine and Harmaline). These chemicals act as the "key" that stops your body from destroying the DMT.

2. The Leaf (Psychotria viridis): Commonly called Chacruna. This plant provides the DMT, which creates the visionary experience.

    
    

2. Common Botanical Alternatives (Analogs)

When the traditional plants aren't available, or in different regional traditions, other plants are used to achieve the same chemical result. These brews are sometimes called Anahuasca.

3. Admixture Plants (The "Add-ons")

Shamans often add a third or fourth plant to the brew to "color" the experience or address specific ailments. These are not necessary for the trip itself but change its character:

1. Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica): Sacred tobacco used for grounding and protection.

2. Bobinsana (Calliandra angustifolia): Added for heart-opening and emotional healing.

3. Toé (Brugmansia): Extremely powerful and potentially dangerous (deliriant); only used by very experienced shamans.

How they work together (The Chemistry)

The interaction is a perfect example of natural pharmacology:

1. The MAOI (Vine/Rue): Temporarily deactivates the Monoamine Oxidase enzymes in your gut.

    

2. The DMT (Chacruna/Mimosa): Can now pass through the gut into the bloodstream and eventually cross the blood-brain barrier.

3. The Result: A 4–6 hour visionary experience. Without the MAOI plant, drinking the DMT plant would have zero psychedelic effect.

    

Safety Warning: Because MAOI plants stay in your system for a while, they can interact dangerously with certain foods (containing tyramine) and very dangerously with medications like Paroxetine (SSRIs)