For thousands of years, the psychedelic tea known as Ayahuasca has been used in traditional South American religions for both spiritual and psychological relief. Today, it has become one of many psychedelic drugs under investigation for potential therapeutic purposes.
Could Ayahausca be a viable option for people suffering mental health problems, but cannot obtain treatment through other means? There's a lot to unpack with this drug, so let's get started.
What is Ayahausca?
Ayahausca is a brewed tea made from Amazonian plants, primarily the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub along with the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. Both plants have known psychedelic properties. In particular, Psychotria viridis contains N, N-dimethyltryptamine, better known as DMT.
DMT is well known as a powerful psychedelic, but normally, it's broken down quickly by the body. This is why Banisteriopsis caapi is used as well, because it contains β-carbolines. These are MAO inhibitors that slow down the body's reaction to the DMT. Combined, they create a psychedelic brew with effects that last several hours.
What To Expect From Ayahausca
Ayahausca tea produces intense hallucinations which typically last for 4-8 hours. These may include visual hallucinations such as colors and shapes, ego-death dissociation, or full out-of-body experiences. Other users have reported having conversations with dead relatives, or other spiritual entities. Occasionally, near-death style experiences of 'crossing over' have been reported as well.
Ayahuasca Side Effects
Mood shifts are common, but the effects seem to vary wildly between users. Some report euphoria and feelings of well-being, others may have bad trips with heightened paranoia and anxiety. There currently seems to be no good way of predicting a person's immediate reaction to the drug.
Ayahausca produces numerous physical side-effects, many unpleasant. The tea is fundamentally a kind of poison, and the body reacts accordingly. Vomiting is almost always part of the experience, and diarrhea is commonplace as well.
Because of this purging effect, there is a possibility of dangerous dehydration. In addition, people with cardiovascular issues may be at risk of heart attack or stroke, due to increased blood pressure.
Further, Ayahausca interacts negatively with numerous prescription medications. In particular, it may fatally interact with antidepressants, which must be discontinued before use of Ayahausca. It's often recommended users abstain from all chemicals and medications at least for two weeks prior to the experience, including commonplace drugs such as caffeine.
Can Ayahausca Kill You?
At least one study looking into global hospitalization and deaths has found no cases of a person dying of Ayahausca overdose alone. Of the 58 fatalities they found, all involved complications, drug interactions, or poor safety procedures. If one uses Ayahausca while understanding the risks, in a controlled environment such as an Ayahausca retreat, it is mostly safe.
However, we must emphasize: Ayahausca should never be used alone. Always have a sober minder or spiritual guide for the entire experience, with backup plans for obtaining medical assistance in case of emergency.
So, why do people take Ayahausca?
The Potential Benefits of Ayahausca
Among enthusiasts for Ayahausca, it is promoted as a potential alternative treatment for a range of psychological conditions, such as depression. It's also been investigated as a potential route for overcoming opiate or alcohol addiction. Many of its users report feelings of serenity, empathy, interconnectedness, and mindfulness which last for a long time after the trip.
For this reason, Ayahausca has become a popular drug among celebrities. Figures including Will Smith, Miley Cyrus, Aaron Rodgers, and Machine Gun Kelly have spoken positively about their experiences, describing it as "the greatest feeling I've ever had" (Will Smith) or as life-changing (Miley Cyrus). Such anecdotal reports have increased interest in the psychedelic.
Clinical Research on Ayahuasca
Scientific research into Ayahausca has been limited, although there have been a few small-scale scientific investigations:
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A 2013 study showed that, after six months, people who participated in two Ayahausca ceremonies self-reported substantially lowered alcohol and cocaine use.
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One 2018 study showed significant decreases in depression and stress that lasted for weeks.
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A similar study showed promising results for treatment-resistant depression.
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Another 2018 study found calming effects similar to long-term mindfulness meditation practice.
However, the real takeaway here is that Ayahausca needs to be studied in more depth, with larger-scale experiments that involve more than a handful of people. In addition, these experiments typically involved full Ayahausca ceremonies. Another open question is whether DMT or Ayahausca microdosing may be viable therapy for anxiety and depression, as this mouse-based study suggests.
Also, it should be noted that there is no indication that Ayahausca itself is habit-forming, so there would be no risk of users replacing one addiction with another.
Is Ayahausca illegal?
The answer is complicated. In the United States, DMT is a schedule 1 controlled substance, illegal to sell, possess, or consume. This means that, broadly speaking, Ayahausca tea is illegal.
However, there are exceptions. Multiple US court cases have ruled that Ayahausca is legal when used as part of religious ceremonies. While this primarily applies to traditional native practices, there have been religious groups set up around Ayahausca, taking advantage of this loophole.
In addition, specific laws may vary according to region. Several cities, including Oakland, Santa Cruz, Seattle, and Washington DC, have de-criminalized possession of entheogenic plants, including the components of Ayahausca. Other areas, including Louisiana, allows Ayahausca plants for decorative purposes, although consumption is still technically illegal.
Globally, Ayahausca is typically legal in Central and South American countries where it has been traditionally used, including Peru, Brazil, and Mexico. Otherwise, it is fully illegal in most European and Asian countries.
If you are considering use of Ayahausca, be sure to do research into its legality in your area, and stay safe.
Where To Get Ayahausca
Ayahausca is not a "street drug;" it must be prepared by a trained practitioner. It takes several hours to brew a single batch of tea, which must then be consumed soon after brewing. One cannot simply go out and buy a dose of Ayahausca.
The most common way of experiencing Ayahausca is at retreats. These may be held in South American countries, under the supervision of native shamen who are willing to share their culture with outsiders. If you choose to attend a native Ayahausca retreat, please be extra considerate and respectful of others' beliefs and traditions.
In addition, spiritual groups have begun forming in the US and other countries, offering a similar experience - although often without direct native supervision. While sometimes accused of cultural appropriation, these retreats do make it easier for individuals to experience Ayahausca without going on an extended voyage.
The experience of these Ayahausca retreats will vary greatly depending on the site, and the practices followed. Again, research is necessary to find an appropriate option for you.
Is Ayahausca a Good Option for Alternative Treatment?
In the end, the answer is unclear. Ayahausca is moderately more dangerous than some other alternative psychedelic treatments, but its proponents believe the potential for rapid psychological shifts and life-changing experiences outweigh the risks. Scientific research is limited as well, and we hope more studies are done in the future.
As we've mentioned a few times in this article, do plenty of research before considering an Ayahausca experience. From its potential physical effects to its tangled legal situation, an Ayahausca user must, above all else, be well-informed.
