A report from a clinical trial was recently published investigating if there was a potential for using ayahuasca in case of suicidality. Whilst no significant change in suicidality was found, vs a placebo, it was still an interesting experiment in the context of wider studies in the use of psychoactive substances in the treatment of mental illness. This was the latest in a series of incidences where ayahuasca has been in the news so I thought I’d write a small summary on it,
Ayahuasca is a decoction brewed from the leaves of Psychotira viridis and the vines of Banisteriopsis caapi, two plants native to the amazon region of South America. It has been traditionally used by indigenous population in religious ceremonies and has steadily spread around the world with thousands reportedly travelling from across the world to experience it’s effects.
From Psychotira viridis is derived the primary primary psychoactive substance N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), also sometimes referred to as the Spirit Molecule. This is not normally active when drunk due to the action of a group of enzymes in the monoamine oxidase class (MAOs). MAOs are commonly found in the liver and the brain and act by deactivating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. They also actively remove tyramine, a molecule similar commonly found in cheeses, alcoholic drinks and chocolate.
From Banisteriopsis caapi three molecules, harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine, belonging to the harmala alkaloid class are sourced. When ingested these act to reversibly inhibit MAOs and stop the degradation of DMT resulting in it being able to fully act upon the consumer.
These experienced effects are well documented, the subreddit r/Ayahuasca is a great source for this, but generally deep spiritual and emotional experiences are reported by users. Often coupled with rituals, traditional or otherwise, an exploration of one’s self and the world around them are often relayed by users.
The hype has contributed to a tourism boom as backpackers and psychonauts alike flock for a spiritual experience in place of origin. A search on TripAdvisor for Ayahuasca in the Cusco region of Peru yields over 60 business offering services involving the hallucinogenic mixture. Looking in the comments of the best rated provider, the phrase “life changing” is reported as the most commonly used by reviewers.
With any unregulated drug use there are safety concerns. In 2015, British backpacker Henry Miller had a severe reaction during a ceremony in the Putumayo region of Colombia. In the resulting coroners report it was concluded that the cause of death was the consumption of both ayahuasca and scopolamine, a drug derived from nightshade that has reported to be used in Parisian street robberies.
Because of it’s DMT content, ayahuasca is considered a Class A drug in the UK and is schedule I in the US. However, there are exceptions made for certain religious groups which are able to brew and consume ayahuasca as part of their rituals and both California and Illinois have decriminalized plant based psychedelics in 2019. Given the steady decriminalization of cannabis in recent years it is not difficult to imagine a future where a spiritual trip can be experienced without the current risks.
