Ayahuasca
FAQ
Version: 1.05
Date: 11/12/00
CONTENTS
1.0 GENERAL
1.1 Ayahuasca: a Definition
1.2 History
1.3 Legality
1.4 Dangers
1.5 Chemistry
1.5.1 Banisteriopsis caapi
vs. Peganum harmala
1.5.2 Food as a catalyst
2.0 AYAHUASCA USE
2.1 Traditional Use
2.2 Modern Use
2.3 The Sacred Vs. The
Profane
2.4 Set and Setting
2.5 The Purge
2.6 Reports of Use
2.7 Cultivation
1.1 Ayahuasca: a Definition
This
brew, also called yage, or yaje, in Colombia, ayahuasca in Ecuador and Peru
(Inca "vine of the dead, vine of the souls," aya means in Quechua
"spirit," "ancestor," "dead person," while huasca
means "vine," "rope") caapi in Brazil, is prepared from
segments of the vine Banisteriopsis Caapi. Sections of vine are boiled with
leaves from any of a large number of potential admixture plants (such as but
not limited to; Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana) resulting in a
brew that contains the powerful hallucinogenic alkaloids harmaline, harmine,
d-tetrahydroharmine, and often N,N-dimethyltryptamine.
This medicine has been used for millennia in order to enter the sacred
supernatural world, to heal, divine, and worship.
1.2 History
"Use
of ayahuasca for visionary experiences appears to be primeval, to judge from
the richness of associated mythology. Pre-Columbian rock drawings are similar
to contemporary ayahuasqueros' paintings, which are said to represent yage
visions (see page 127 of Plants of the Gods for a fine example of such a
drawing on granite). However, the earliest known record of the practices
associated with this botanical wasn't set down until the middle of the
nineteenth century.
The author was Richard Spruce, a one time British schoolteacher, who was among the early
explorers to make the perilous journey into the Amazon. Spruce almost died of
dysentery and malaria but survived to become one of botany's greatest
collectors. In 1851, while exploring the upper Rio Negro of the Brazilian
Amazon, he observed the use of yage. He came upon it twice in Peru in 1853. In
his Notes of a Botanist on the Amazon
and Andes, he described its sources, its preparation and its effects
upon himself. Unfortunately, Spruce's experience was characterized mainly by
his getting sick.
Spruce's Notes didn't appear in print
until 1908. They were edited by Alfred Russel Wallace, who simultaneously with
Darwin conceived the theory of evolution. Spruce suspected that additives were
responsible for the psychoactivity of this beverage, although he noted that
Banisteriopsis by itself was considered mentally active. The samples he sent to
England for chemical analysis weren't located and assayed until more than a
century later. They were still psychoactive when examined in 1966.
The first widely read description of
yage practices was published in 1858 by Manuel Villavicencio, an Ecuadorian
geographer. The experience made him feel he was "flying" to most
marvelous places. Describing how natives responded, he
reported that natives using this drink were able to foresee and answer
accurately in difficult cases, be it to reply opportunely to ambassadors from
other tribes in a question of war; to decipher plans of the enemy through the
medium of this magic drink and take proper steps for attack and defense; to
ascertain, when a relative is sick, what sorcerer has put on the hex to carry
out a friendly visit to other tribes to welcome foreign travelers or, at least
to make sure of the love of their womenfolk.
Several early explorers of
northwestern South America--Martius, Crevaux, Orton, Koch-Grunberg and
others--also referred to ayahuasca, yage and caapi. They all cited a forest
liana but offered little detail. In the early twentieth century, it was learned
that the use of Banisteriopsis vines for healing, initiatory and shamanic rites
extended from Peru to Bolivia.
In 1923, a film of Indian yage
ceremonies was shown at the annual meeting of the American Pharmaceutical
Association. Other noteworthy publications drawing attention to the effects of
this drink came from Rusby and White, who observed yage practices in Bolivia in
1922, from the Russians Varnoff and Jezepezuk, who did Colombian fieldwork in
1925-1926, and from Morton, who in 1931 published Klug's southern Colombian
notes about Banisteriopsis inebrians". Source: Chapter seven of the third edition of the Psychedelics Encyclopedia by
Peter Stafford
1.3 Legality
The
plants that are used to make Ayahuasca are legal. However, some of the
compounds contained within are not. So while Ayahuasca is not a scheduled
substance in the United States, the chemical N,N-dimethyltryptamine
is a Schedule 1 substance as defined by the DEA. This means that N,N-dimethyltryptamine is a controlled substance and is
illegal. While it is not illegal to possess or sell plants containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine processing, preparing, or having the
intent to prepare for consumption would be considered illegal. Although the DEA
appears to have no interest in prosecuting the use of ayahuasca in the United
States at this time, that could change any time. However, in many European
countries recently there has been major persecution of the syncretic churches
using ayahuasca. What this will mean for the future of ayahuasca use is unkown
and will have to be watched closely. For a statement on ayahuasca persecution
in Europe please read: The OGD
Annual Report, specifically their report on Europe: "Ayahuasca: From
the Amazon to the Urban Jungles".
1.4 Dangers
Historically
a strict dietary regimen of no salt, sugar, oil, fat, sex, or alcohol, is
observed before any ayahuasca ceremony. While none of these but perhaps alcohol
is actually dangerous in conjunction with the brew, it is said they color the
experience heavily. However, the biggest physical danger in ingesting ayahuasca
is related to the effects of an MAO Inhibitor found in the brew.
Tyramine
is an amino acid which is normally metabolized by MAO in the gut. After taking
certain Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors this MAO is inhibited and any dietary
Tyramine will not be metabolized. This may cause an increase in tyramine levels
in the blood. Because high blood levels of tyramine can effect naturally
occurring norepinephrine, this condition could lead to a hypertensive crisis.
In a hypertensive crisis, blood pressure may exceed 180 and the heart rate
increases to well over 100 beats per minute. People who suffer hypertensive
crisis typically report the most painful headache of their lives. A hypertensive
crisis can lead to hemorrhagic stroke, myocardial infarction, rupture of a
pre-existing aneurysm, and to death.
Tyramine
is found in cheese, wines, and generally, anything aged or fermented. Also,
Symptathomimetic drugs (MDMA, amphetamines, migraine medicines, and over the
counter cold medicines like ephedrine, dextromethorphan, etc) can cause a
hypertensive crisis. Lastly certain natural herbs can have reactions, Ephedra sp., Yohimbe, and maybe even St Johns wort.
Foods High in Tyramine (to be avoided):
All aged/mature cheese (exception: cottage cheese,
cream cheese)
Dry and fermented sausage (bologna, salami, pepperoni, corned beef, and liver)
Pickled herring and salted dried fish
Broad beans and pods (lima, fava beans, lentils, snow peas, and soy beans)
Meat extracts
Yeast extracts/brewer's yeast
Beer and Ale
Red wine (chianti, burgundy, sherry, vermouth)
Sauerkraut
Banana Peel
Foods Moderate to Low in Tyramine: (to be used in limited amounts, i.e.,
1/2 cup, 4 oz. or less)
Fruits
(bananas, avocados, canned figs, raisins, red plums, raspberries)
Cultured dairy products (buttermilk, yogurt, and sour cream)
Chocolate
Caffeine (coffee, tea, and cola drinks)
White wine, port wines
Distilled Spirits
Soy sauce
Peanuts
Document
from hyperreal.com
Although
there are many reports of foods high in Tyramine being consumed while using a
MAOI, it is unknown how safe this practice is. Since Monoamine Oxidase - A is
the only one inhibited when harmala/harmaline/etc is used, Monoamine Oxidase -
B is still active in processing some of the Tyramine. Recently though, there have been reports of food interactions with
Banisteriopsis caapi and Peganum harmala. These reports have indicated
while the reactions do not seem fatal they do result in a severe throbbing
headache for up to 3 days afterwards. This may be due to the fact that at higer
doses of caapi or rue MAO-B may also be inhibited. An even more serious problem
though, is the possibility of drug interactions. One of the more deadly of drug
interactions with MAOI's is modification of selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRI's). This can lead to serotonin syndrome. The symptoms of a
hypertensive crisis differ from the serotonin syndrome though there is overlap.
For example, both may elevate blood pressure. If serotonergic syndrome is
suspected (ingestion of Syrian rue or other MAOI) the use of a serotonin
receptor blocker might be helpful. Use of Syrian rue is not very likely to
cause a hypertensive crisis; it is more likely caused from the presence of
non-selective irreversible MAOIs such as Marplan. Symptoms such as a pounding
headache, nosebleeds, severe tremors, muscular rigidity, and fever may indicate
a medical emergency (hypertensive crisis, serotonin syndrome or both).
Confusion is common but if one has taken ayahuasca, confusion could be a
manifestation of expected drug effect and not necessarily that of a serious
toxic syndrome.
Incidentally, not only antidepressants
such as tricyclics, heterocyclics, SSRIs, and many atypical antidepressants may
cause serious drug interactions. Many other drugs including nosedrops,
decongestants, amphetamines, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, diet pills, allergy
medication, and opiates may also cause serious drug-drug interactions with
MAOIs. Also Migraine medication such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) are particularly
sensitive to MAOA inhibition. Syrian Rue and B. caapi are safer than most other
MAOIs; however serious drug-drug interactions can still occur. This is
especially the case with SSRIs.
At the first sign of symptoms or the
appearance of a severe headache you should call 911. On the way to the
emergency room, you should inform paramedics that you suspect you are having a
MAOI hypertensive crisis; They would be well advised to administer one or two
25-mg tablets of the adrenolytic drug chlorpromazine. Sublingual nifedipine 10
to 20 mg is another alternative; The capsule should be bitten and the liquid
contents retained in the mouth. This would hopefully bring your blood pressure
down by the time you arrived at the emergency room. (See page 1606 of THE MERCK
MANUEL OF DIAGNOSIS AND THERAPY, 16th Edition, Robert Berkow, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, RAhway, NJ: Merck Research
Laboratories Division of Merck and Company, Inc., 1992.)
1.5 Chemistry
Ayahuasca
has many chemical constituents; To break it down to it’s simple chemical
interaction on your brain would not do it justice. It is the synergy of the
different plants that make ayahuasca's effects so amazing. There are literally
hundreds of different plants that are added into the ayahuasca brew, each
changing the character, lessons and effects of the experience. But to make a
gross over simplification, the effects are caused by two main chemicals -- a
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) and N,N-dimethyltryptamine.
N,N-dimethyltryptamine is normally broken down in the
stomach by an enzyme called Monoamine Oxidase. If a MAOI is used
N,N-dimethyltryptamine is no longer destroyed and the
blood levels remain high enough to effect the brain. N,N-dimethyltryptamine
is the primary source of the hallucinatory/entheogenic experience.
Simplifying the chemical action like
this does accurately represent the actual experience. Smoking N,N-dimethyltryptamine is very different than using
ayahuasca. Using a synthesized N,N-dimethyltryptamine
and a pharmaceutical MAOI is also not the same. With ayahuasca, the addition of
each different plant to the brew creates a whole new experience. In historical
times, the two most frequently used plants are Banisteriopsis caapi and
Psychotria viridis. The B. caapi vine is the source of harmine and harmaline;
which acts as the MAOI; some believe these compounds are also very psychoactive
on their own. Psychotria viridis is the source of N,N-dimethyltryptamine.
Most often, B.caapi is the main ingredient in the brew with various other
plants often containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine added.
In modern times Peganum harmala is also used as a MAOI. It contains Harmine and
Harmaline also. But these mixtures produce side effects. This is usually
attributed to other elements in the plants used. The major side effect is
nausea. Ayahuasca is used traditionally as a purgative which the Indians welcome
as a means of cleansing the gastro-intestinal tract from the parasites and
bacteria common to the amazon region. Diarrhea is another common side effect of
ingesting the brew. Pharmaceutical MAOI's have been used but rarely do they
capture the true essence of the experience. Marplan and Moclobemide are two
common pharmaceutical MAOI's
1.5.1 Banisteriopsis caapi vs. Peganum harmala
Many
people think of the use of Banisteriopsis caapi and Peganum harmala as
interchangeable. In truth they are both effective Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors
(MAOI's) but there is a definite difference both chemically and in the
subjective experience.
P. harmala contains many alkaloids
including but not limited to: VASICINONE, HARMALINE, HARMALOL, HARMAN, HARMINE,
ISOPEGANINE, DEOXYVASICINONE. It contains mixed amounts of harmala alkaloids
(mainly harmine and harmaline) from 2%-7% in the seed. The harmaline in P.
harmala is a very efficient MAOI and is present in significant, but lesser
amounts then harmine. Harmaline has been shown in large doses to be neurotoxic
to animals by effecting the degeneration of Purkinje cells in the brain ( http://www.ibogaine.Desk.nl/abstract/41.html
). While
doses of that magnitude are rarely taken, those that are concerned may look to
Banisteriopsis caapi as a source of harmala alkaloids due to an almost
negligent amount of harmaline present.
Banisteriopsis
caapi has a slighlty different chemistry with the same harmala alkaloids present
but in different proportions. B. caapi contains between 0.2%-1.3%
mixed harmala alkaloids. The major difference between P. harmala and B. caapi,
is the levels of harmaline and tetrahydroharmine. In P. harmala, the levels of
harmaline are much higer, (which may also explain it's greater MAOI
effectiveness) while levels of tetrahydroharmine are absent, or in lesser
quantities then B. caapi. The higher levels of tetrahydroharmine in B. caapi
may be responsible for the very different subjective effects, and maybe even
it's reported "telepathic" inducing qualities observed. When first
isolated from B. caapi, the harmala alkaloids were named
"telepathine", until further research showed them to be chemically
identical to the compounds in P. harmala. Although both plants contain very
simmilar alkaloids and both serve as effective MAOI's, it is important to point
out that both chemically, and through subjective experiences using them, that
they are different.
Another important
matter to bring up in this section is the use of P. harmala as an
abortificant/emmanagogue. (emmanagogue is a substance that contracts or acts on
the uteris, strong emmanagogues can easily induce abortions). The non-MAOI
alkaloids are most likely responsible for this action. Boiled extractions of
seeds are reccomended over consuming whole seeds, to avoid ingesting some, but
not all of the compounds in question.
"Although
harmel has been described recently as an aphrodisiac, it is used traditionally
by Bedouins as an emmanagogue and abortificant, as well as for
"narcotic" purposes, properties documented in animal
experiments."
Ott, Pharmacotheon p 202
"Besides the beta-carboline alkaloids, epigeal parts of P. harmala contain
quinazoline alkaloids such as visicine (peganine) and vasicinone, which have
uterotonic effects possibly accounting for the use of P. harmala as an
abortificant, and the related Tribulus terrestris is used as an emmanagogue in
Thai ethnomedicine..... and the vasicine containing Adhatoda vasica is
used in Thai ethnoimedicine as an anti asthmatic and in Indian ethnomedicine as
an abortificant."
Ott, Pharmacotheon p 204
1.5.2 Food as a catalyst
An
interesting phenomenon that has been observed is that the consumption of food
(MAOI safe of course) during or after the ayahuasca experience will bring on a
wave of additional effects. This can be quite scary if you are unsure at the
time that the food you just ate really is MAOI safe. Also many times people
will drink the brew and have no effects whatsoever and wait quite a long time.
They then give up, and eat something, and the experience kicks in quite
unexpectedly. This phenomenon is actually quite common and can be used to your
advantage if an experience is going slow or not kicking in. The reason for this
is that DMT gets bound up in the liver, and exits into the bile, so when the
gall bladder empties into the small intestine, you get a wave of DMT effects.
The eating of any fat will trigger release of cholecystokinen, a hormone which
makes the gall bladder contract.
2.1 Traditional Use and
Preparation
The
Traditional use of ayahuasca is for healing the mind, body and soul. Yage is
known as "the great medicine" in northwestern South America, where it
is used for healing much as peyote is used in North America. Through its
assumed intercession with spiritual entities, yage reveals the proper remedies
or brings about healing spiritually or magically. In contrast to Western
notions of medicine, yage is believed to be curative whether the patient or the
healer swallows it. ; Summing up these processes, someone
said, "Nature cures the disease while the healer amuses the patient."
Others speak of ayahuasqueros "singing the illness away." In Visionary Vine, Marlene Dobkin de
Rios outlined many of the procedures used in "curing sessions." In Wizard of the Upper Amazon, Manuel
Cordova-Rios gave another remarkable account: he continued to use ayahuasca
medicinally when he returned to city life, seven years after his capture by
Indians. "My cures," he comments, "for human ailments
such as diabetes, hepatitis, leukemia, cancer, paralysis, rheumatism, epilepsy,
suicidal depression and the dysfunction’s of various internal organs have been
called miraculous by some people." Chapter
7, Psychedelics Encyclopedia by Peter Stafford
The Amazon shamans
(see definition of Shamanism at deoxy.org)
would gather their ingredients with much prayer and fasting. The care and
reverence taken during this time is very important to the use of ayahausca.
Even now, where many guides of ayahuasca ceremonies grow the plants, an equal
love and caring goes into the growth and harvest of these special plants. The
main ingredient B. caapi would be used fresh. It is pulverized and put into a pot
over a campfire, then the P. viridis is added. The mixture is boiled all day in
the acidic water from the Amazon. About a one foot
long and broomstick thick section of B. caapi is used per person in preparing
the brew. Also a good amount of P. viridis is used. The amount of P. viridis
varies depending on the number of people who are to partake in the ceremony.
Sometimes P. viridis is not used at all and other N,N-dimethyltryptamine
rich plants are substituted. Once the brew is done, it is stored until the ceremony.
If it is protected from fermenting or spoiling, it will last for quite a while.
In ceremonies by experienced guides and shamans, people will many times drink
more and more during the experience, especially after vomiting. The potency of
the brew depends on the knowledge and the experience of the shaman preparing it.
2.2 Modern Use and Preparation
Modern usage of ayahuasca is highly
debated. Many people approach ayahuasca as just another hallucinogenic drug to
"trip" off of. Most of those people will never try it again. A more
accepted use is entheogenic in nature. People seek answers from the plants of
ayahuasca. But even then reverence and the sacredness of ayahuasca is many
times forgotten. It is important to emphasize that the more one puts into the
experience the more one will get out of it.
In modern preparation the stove has
replaced the campfire but much has remained the same. Although B. caapi is
usually substituted with P. harmala, occasionally it is still used. A pure
water source such as distilled of filtered water is important because excess
minerals may inhibit the effectiveness of the brew. The pH of the water should
be between four and five. This helps the alkaloids become more soluble.
Ascorbic acid in the form of ground up Vitamin C pills or lemon juice will do
nicely. It is very important to grind or pulverize the material as fine as you
can and to boil the plant materials for a couple hours. Strain and save the
water, then put the material back into pH adjusted water and repeat what you
just did. Continue this process until the water doesn’t change color. Then mix
all of your boilings and boil down to a more manageable quantity.
With different plants you will need
different amounts for a potent brew. To even attempt to list how much of what
you would need is futile. So much depends on how potent the plant is. This in
turn depends on the individual plant's growing conditions, which plant you use,
and so on. Experience will teach one more than reading. For more detailed and
practical information it is suggested you read the reports of use.
2.3 The Sacred Vs. The Profane
For thousands of years ancient
cultures have been using entheogens/hallucinogens to contact the spirit world
and receive teachings from the connection they created. Shamans were trained in
the use of these drugs and would seek guidance from them. Eventually they would
learn to induce the ecstatic states without the use of these drugs.
To ancient cultures everything was
sacred because all of experience was connected to God, or whatever you call the
force that guides and interconnects us with all things. Preparation of drugs
like ayahuasca were very sacred to the peoples of these cultures. The entire
process of using entheogens was done with thorough contemplation. Fasts,
purification ceremonies, and many other preparations were made in order to
partake of these ceremonial drugs. In everything they did reverence was
displayed.
Our modern culture has forgotten the
sacredness of these plant teachers. Without the ceremony and ritual and
reverence the possibility of abuse of these plants is high. Furthermore, many
people are not prepared psychologically or spiritually for the experience. Some
treat it as something fun to do or a way to be amused when bored. Naturally,
when a life altering experience happens through the use of these plants, many
do not know how to deal with it. They did not prepare for it and may not have
had a guide present who can help them learn from the experience. A guide is
also very important This may sound superstitious to some; however, it is
important to consider how readily we accept guidance from someone when learning
to drive a car or brew coffee, but how much we may resist learning from a
someone who specializes in using nature to expand her spiritual boundaries.
Ayahuasca is held sacred by the many
generations of people who have used it. Their experience has demonstrated that
it is not wise to use it as a casual, social drug. Used as a sacred sacrament,
it has resulted and results in greater health -- spiritual as well as physical.
It is up to those of us who live in the modern world to understand and attempt
to view it as such and not just something to "do" or experiment with.
If you have reverence for the process and the experience you will be much
better prepared for the experience as a whole and it's meaning.
2.4 Set and Setting
Set refers to your attitude, your
mindset; Setting refers to your physical surroundings. These are very important
in any entheogenic/hallucinogenic experience. You should prepare your mind in
advance to what may happen and how you will react. Think about what you will do
if things don't go as planned and you get in over your head. By thinking about
giving in and relaxing before you journey you will be more apt to do so while
taking that journey. Also you should choose a place that is safe and will have
few unexpected interruptions. By preparing an area that you are comfortable and
safe, you improve your chances of really getting a lot out of the experience.
If you are in a new location with new people you may be so worried about
external events you can't focus on the internal teachings that come. Not to
mention the fact that you could really freak out and hurt yourself in a strange
place with ever changing scenery and people.
By preparing yourself and your
surroundings you will improve your chances of having a very meaningful
experience. If you neglect this you could be in for an extremely frightening
experience. Ayahuasca is not a social drug. Use it with only close friends.
Prepare yourself, it is unlike any experience you have ever had.
2.5 The Purge
With Ayahuasca use there is likely to
be a great amount of purging happening. Depending on which plants were used
there can be a little or a whole hell of a lot. There are steps you can do to
reduce nausea such as drinking ginger tea and gel-capping it. But even then
completely avoiding the purge is close to impossible. It is intertwined with
the ayahuasca experience. If you can learn to accept it and flow with it it can
ironically be very enjoyable. It is a release and purification. After it is all
through you will feel very good, very clean and pure. If you fight it, it will
be more then unpleasant. Give in to it and just go with it and you will feel
better.
Usually you will purge a number of
times and then feel better. Though with repeatedly taking more you will most
likely purge after each time. Imagine all of the distractions, discomfort and
pain you have within you being released with each purge. Let it flow as it is
supposed to. Accept it as part of the experience. There is very little you can
do to avoid it, so not fighting it or dwelling on the nausea will allow you to
focus your thoughts and energy on what is important.
For a very good article on the
Purgative aspect of Ayahuasca read: From Agony to Ecstacy: The Transformative Spirit of Yajé
2.6 Reports of use
Report 1.
Peganum harmala by
Ringworm
USAGE:
We tested it at various dosages ranging from 1-10 grams of Syrian rue seed. We
found that four grams is the most sensible amount but for strictly MAOI
purposes no more than 2 and a half need be taken. She took 4 grams daily for 30
days I took 4 grams every three days for thirty days.
THE FIRST NIGHT:
We did a simple extraction of Syrian Rue seed, it consisted of 8 grams in two
cups of water and a small amount of lemon juice, this was boiled until the
fluid was enough to be drunk with three sips for each of us. The seed was than
strained out. After some time we decided to go walking, it seemed like a nice
August night. As we walked we both commented on the stuttering light syndrome.
This is when there is a light and it becomes fragmented, it tends to stutter as
your eye moves away from it. We were both rather turned on and just generally
feeling good (possibly the famed aphrodisiac qualities?). I noticed with closed
eyes that there were many mandala-like designs. These did not wiggle but more
so form and re-form. They reminded me a lot of oriental carpets, I remembered a
man I knew from when I was homeless, he taught me a lot about spiritual
feelings. I sat on a curb and envisioned him telling me that no Oriental carpet
was perfect as it was truly created by God and so any carpet maker would flaw
his work, to show his humility. I found this entire mandala thing very
interesting. Once we entered the house I was greeted by my plants and the plant
light, the light was shattered so much that it followed me as I turned my head.
This light was like when you stare into a light at a distance, you can almost
see the waves of it as it comes toward you. We sat and watched a special on
Bufo sp. in Australia and couldn't help but laugh...
We were VERY happy, I commented on the anti-depressive qualities, we even
mentioned using this in stead of our usual alcohol to bring up spirits. I drove
her home and all of the speed signs tended to tail far behind me, a passing car
left a tremendous streak of light behind itself.
THE MISSION GOES ON:
Well we continued to use the seeds for a month.... She
decided this time to be the guinea pig so every morning she would prepare the
tea for herself, she noted that effects dropped increasingly until there were
no effects. She also became so repulsed by the smell of our tea that she was
happy to see the end of our month. I found that using it every three nights
tended to keep with the same visual disturbances. My closed eye visions
expanded and became deeper, whereas the anti-depressive quality of the tea
faded severely, I was sad to see it go. I must say that you can feel the third eye(?) in the center of your eyes become open, it is almost
like a weight is lifted from your brain, a very good feeling I may add.
Report 2.
Banisteriopsis Caapiby
Ringworm
AMOUNT:
one foot long one inch thick piece of B. caapi vine per person.
PREPARATION:
pounded and beat up... I smashed the hell out of it
with a hammer. The bark was peeled off and pounded some more, I actually
developed a nice beat to this. I boiled the bark separate from the inner,
harder core. This is all the traditional method that is used with most S.American shamans.
EXPERIENCE:
once drank, it seemed to give a tremendous amount of energy, much more than
Syrian Rue's lethargy. I happily danced around with my girl. We sat on the
"grounding stone" this is a HUGE rock that is completely white, I was
drawn to it as a way to level out in a previous experience. I stared at Venus,
probably for a long time. I could see it completely round and even some of the
texture. I normally have 20/50 vision so I can tell visual enhancement. I felt
like I was sitting on top of that big rock I called Venus and staring at the
earth, I then thought I was siting on that big rock o' earth once again and
staring at Venus.... I kinda liked the fact that I
could be staring at myself from two different planets. I completely felt the
sameness of the universe. It was then that I questioned why I felt so drawn to
the cosmos on just an MAOI. It seems much more than that. For a good part of
the night I stared at Venus and the milky way. I always loved the feel of
seeing the stars and being able to see their depth, where they are in the
cosmos, it really gives a feeling of distance. To tell you the truth, I never
closed my eyes more than once, I was so rapt with the clear night. Upon closing
my eyes it seemed very dark/midnight jungle feeling. I can only describe this
as I once did with a Salvia journey, I watched the jungle as it crawled and
grew over my whole world... it just kept expanding. I
have never been there but the jungle seems very powerful, like one living
entity.
Report 3. Mimosa
hostilis + Peganum harmala
I obtained 1oz of Mimosa hostilis root bark and prepared it for an ayahuasca
brew. First I added some water and the Mimosa and put it in a blender. I then
boiled it in a pot with ascorbic acid (ground up Vitamin C tablets) for about 6
hours. Then I filtered it with a paper towel and boiled down the liquid until I
had a small amount. I pored it in a glass baking dish and dehydrated it. After
scraping it up it made 15 gelcaps. I had previously made an extract in the same
fashion of Peganum harmala. I took 8 gelcaps of Mimosa and 2 of the P. harmala
(aproximatly 4g P. harmala extracted). First the harmala, which kicked in about
45min I then took the Mimosa and held it down for about 20 min and purged. I
was still not feeling the effects so I sat down with some Native American flute
music playing and was flipping through a book with photos of nature and some
accompanying poems. I finally stopped at one of some salmon swimming and the
picture was from above so created this patterned layered effect with the
surface of the water, the fish and the bottom of the stream. It started to
really look odd and I knew something was kicking in. I ate a bit of granola to
get the taste of vomit out of my mouth. slowly things started to get very odd.
colors were vibrant and brilliant. Every time I blinked my eyes a new world was
opened up to me. I closed my eyes briefly and saw tons of CEV's and it quite
reminded me of Salvia divinorum where there were multiple images of entities
and it almost looked like a piece of psychedelic art work where there was just
so much going on in the picture it was confusing. I re-opened my eyes and
continued looking at the book. Sound became echoes around me and everything had
trails on it. I purged again and in the agony of the purge I felt release.
Tears came to my eyes as the pain rose and exited my mouth. I sat for a moment
and felt better. I returned to my couch and saw that auras were enhanced and I
saw the layers of connectivity in everything. I felt very connected to the
plants in my apartment and connected to nature. At this point I just started to
laugh. The music seemed to pale to sound of my own laughter. It was jovial and
echoing. I was filled with an ultimate sense of happiness and content. This was
when I had my first realization. As I looked into the picture and visualized
myself there I felt the cold wind upon my face. The chill penetrated me. I
realized that If I wanted to become closer to nature I had to stop insulating
myself from it. I sat there in my apartment warm and content yet connected, but
in the same right I was so insulated that I could not fully immerse myself into
nature like I wanted. That I had to accept the cold and the elements if I
wanted to experience what nature is all about. The reason I had not been able
to go further along my path was the fact that I have been insulating myself so
It did not feel real. Reality is a duality of comfort and discomfort. You can't
feel that oneness and connection if you remove yourself from that duality. As I
realized all this and at a level that is indescribable in words I started to
have other revelations about who I was and my goals. That ayahuasca is a tool
as is my meditations and walks through the forest. They will all bring me to
the same point. It matters not what tool you use as long as you use it
efficiently. And in combination they can be even more powerful. Slowly the
realizations were fewer and it turned towards incorporation what I have
learned. How would I use this newly realized lesson. Slowly the CEV's faded,
the echoing ended and things became more normal. The whole experience lasted
about an hour and a half to two hours. The lingering effects lasted about
another hour. I am left with an overwhelming feeling of joy. I feel clean and
content. I look forward to my next journey.
Report 4. Ephedra
+ Peganum harmala by Morph
I have always had an experimental mind. Sometimes, of course, experiments can
go awry. The trick is to take a lesson away from every experience. Last summer
I decided to try a combination that I had never heard any news at all about.
Without referring to my friends who "know", I cooked up a combination
of Peganum harmala crude extract and Ephedra sinensis (mao-huang) twigs and
stems. I forced the vile, bitter liquid down the hatch around 9:30 in the evening. Before I wax on about the chronological
details, please let me inform everyone that Ephedra is an ally of mine. I have
fully enjoyed her virtue (occassionally) with mushrooms, usually alone. By 10:00 I was full-on feeling the effects of both drugs. The
beta-carbolines, from the Peganum seed delivered the expected physical effects:
flushed face, tunnel-vision and light sweating. By the way my heart was
pounding, I expected the ephedra was also kicking in. At 10:15
I left the house to walk, as I was feeling a raher unnerving rise in energy and
activity. My hands were shaking, my face fully flushed and a sheen of sweat
covered it. I walked for about 20 minutes, to a local graveyard. I laid down in
a familiar spot and tried to relax. Unfortunately, within minutes I realized
that I may in some sort of trouble, here. My heart rate must have been up by 3x.
I was sweating so hard that the drops were stinging my eyes. My mouth felt
horribly dry and hot. I was flashing hot to cold and I was shaking
uncontrollably. My Head was hot and ached at the temples. I rolled around in
the wet grass for about 10 minutes. The dichotomy lay in the fact that I knew I
was not well, but I could not seem to think of a logical progression of action.
I began to wish I had a sitter along. As I lay on the ground, I realized that I
had made a big mistake, jeopardizing my well-being. I tried stumbling home
around 11:30 that evening. People walked on the
opposite side of the street because I looked so haggard and wild-eyed. By the
time I reached home the effects were receding. Upon reaching my bathroom I
vomited hard. I crawled into bed and felt the effects recede slowly over the
next 4 hours or so. I did not sleep. I felt giddy and nervous all day next, and
did not sleep well the next evening. I jeopardized my health and well-being by
combining a known MAOI with ephedra alkaloids. I was planning to use this
combination in a future ayahuasca session if the experiment went well. Could we
imagine the horrible visions and side-effects brought on if DMT or another
hallucinogen were introduced? I shudder to think. Please be careful, do your
homework and bring a sitter.. not like me!
Report 5.
Diplopterys cabrerana and Banisteriopsis caapi
Preparation:
10g Diplopterys cabrerana 40g Banisteriopsis caapi. Everything was
finely ground and the Diplopterys was put into a pressure cooker at max along
with enough water and about 1/2 cup lemon juice added. It was boiled for 3
hours, then was drained rinsed and the plant material was again boiled for
another 3 hours with the caapi added this time. Then it was drained and
strained hot and reduced to 4 ounces per dose. (This is my usual and favorite
prep. Each extraction is done 1.5-3hours, note only
steel pressure cookers should be used NOT aluminum as the acid will react with
the aluminum and make the aluminum soluble. Aluminum compounds are implicated
in Alzheimer's disease)
Experience:
This whole experience started out as a test of a new suppliers D. cabrerana.
All other sources i have tried the minimum amount was 15 and 30g for me since i
was a hardhead. Not expecting much from the 10g it was a good test dose since i
was not ready for a full blown experience this night. The brew kicked in very
slowly after 30-45 min. After an hour i purged more so to stop the experience
from progressing then from necessity. It was surprisingly strong at 10g for me which
quite surprised me seeing I am a major hardhead and have done up to 60g of
certain sources of D. cabrerana. Well after the purge it just kept getting more
intense. At this time i was resigned to the fact that things were going to get
heavy and decided to go with it. I ate a bit of MAOI safe food to see if it
would cause it to kick i in even harder and i was blown away. I sat peacefully
with my eyes closed for a moment. Behind my eyelids was an entire universe.
Neon line drawings of snakes and serpents were everywhere. Swirling vortexes
with mouths full of teeth were swallowing me over and over. It was quite
frightening but at this point I was quite used to scary images and allowed
myself to be consumed over and over by these terrifying images each time relishing
the beauty of it all. I opened my eyes and everything was glowing with aura.
The room swayed and shifted as if i was looking at it in a viscous liquid. Size
of things became distorted. My stove and all it's dials took on an
anthropomorphic look and began to grow. It occured to me that this too was
going to eat me. Then i decided i had enough with things eating me and changed
the visions with a single thought back to the beautiful line images. Any
pattern i thought of became reality behind my closed eyes. It was magnificent
and beautiful. The most amazing part of the expereiences i have had with
Diplopterys cabrerana is that while visually it is so stunning my thoughts are
so incredibly clear. My mind is in a sober state feeling the effects however not
impaired by them and being able to fully appreciate the visions and the lessons
i was receiving by this wonderful plant teacher. I could feel the effects of
the caapi opening my world and the D. cabrerana giving it color and vision.
Both entities working together to teach and allow me to explore their spirit.. More so then any other plant i have come to appreciate
the very clear headedness of Diplopterys cabrerana. While my expereiences with
D. cabrerana have never been entirely consistent the teachings and visions i
have received from it are some of my favorite ayahuasca experiences.
Report 6.
Bansiteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis by Meteor
The dream came about with 30 grams of B. caapi and 30g P. viridis. First the
leaves were ground to a powder. Then it and the capii were each placed into
plastic bags with just enough lemon juice and distilled water to moisten each.
They were allowed to sit overnight. Then the following morning, each were put
in glass pots with two cups of distilled water each and a plate holding water
set on top for the lids. (In this dream this would allow for the condensation
of steam back into water so that in boiling water would return to the mix).They were set on a very low simmer, and water was added to
the plate cover and to the pot when necessary. Simmering time-- 4 hours, after
which the tea was decanted and the process repeated with two more cups of water
and one half tablespoon of lemon juice for each cup of water added. The third
boiling was done in a pressure cooker for 1 hour. The contents were then
decanted and added to the containers holding the contents of the first two
boilings. Then the two separate teas were boiled down to make one cup each.
The dream begins with both coming into play over a period of 40 minutes. The
Caapii first, followed by the Psychotria. (I dreamt that it was not nearly as
bad as Rue or Mimosa) Slight tingling after 15 minutes into the start of this
dream. It felt good. 45 minutes into the dream, and feeling really good when
the need to purge came on very strong, almost instantly. Projectile and right
out the nose. Thought I would surely wake up then, but no...
My dream just got better and better, and stronger and stronger. Off in the
distance I saw a figure-- like that drawing of man done by Leonardo Da Vinci
the one with his arms and legs outstretched and in a circle. Colors in deep
blue, and green, with silver rays streaming out of his chest-- incredibly
beautiful. Then things brightened, silver, pink, and yellow, green patterns of
light-- all in an iridescent phantasmagorical setting. And my mind was in great
clarity with classical baroque music in the background. Stronger, and stronger
the dream became, and I feared I would have been lost in it I got up and took a
bath to get grounded a bit-- but still the images came on, everything seemed to
glow in a radiant light. My mind was focused in great clarity, and in this
dream I saw things in my life that must change. And it seemed odd to me that
the trite clichés "Life is but a dream", or "life is too
short" seemed paradoxical, and the crystallization of great wisdom. And it
struck me then that so many of the clichés are really words taken for granted
and it is easy to dismiss the underlying truth of them. The dream lasted just
over four hours, and what an experience it was. The clarity that this Peruvian
tea imparts is astounding... but not for the
lighthearted.
Report 7. The HCL
Method and Knowing God by
"A True Believer"
PREPARATION:
The method used is a new idea in brewing. High grade HCL (Hydrochloric acid) is
used, (low grades and industrial HCL should be avoided as they may contain
contaminants) to acidify the brew. What I obtained was 30% HCL and used 30
drops per 500ml water. 500ml water was added per dose of plant material. I used
2 oz cielo B. caapi, aprox 1 3/4 g syrian rue, 20g challiponga (D. cabrerana),
5-7g brazillian Mimosa hostilis root bark. This was intended to be a VERY
strong brew as I am quite a hardhead. I was generous with the vine, the more
the merrier, and i may be a little hard of hearing, in that it has spoken
before, but i needed to pump up the volume. The herbs were ground fine, and
left to soak overnight in acidified water, then four extractions were
completed, acid only added on the first at full strength (done when water was
added for the overnight soak), and 20 drops per 250ml on the middle two
extractions, and none on the last short extraction. The extractions were
reduced to 4oz (~125ml). Total brewing time (not including reduction) was 4.5 hours.
CAUTION:
I should note that non-diluted HCL is very dangerous and appropriate saftey
precautions should be used such as gloves, saftey glasses, etc. Once diluted it
is very safe, however it is important to not brew in anything metal or allow
any metal to come in contact with the brew. HCL is a strong acid and even when
dilute will leech the metal and create poisonous compounds in the brew. Pots
should be ceramic or glass. Enamel or non-stick coated is an option, however
there is a strong risk if the enamel or coating is scratched, the underlying
metal could leech into the brew. Once the brew has gone through the extraction
process baking soda should be added to raise the pH to at least 5 or 6, or an
alternative way and more effective way if one is worried about consuming HCL,
(although it is naturally in our stomachs anyway) is to completely evaporate
the brew, as HCL in pure form is a gas and will evaporate out. Then the powder
can be scraped up and either gelcapped or easily reconstituted. However if a
low grade HCL is used neither method will get rid of heavy metals and other
compounds likely to be present.
EXPERIENCE:
The night started off with drinking aproximately half of the brew. I waited for
about one hour, allowing my stomach and body to settle, then I consumed the
second half. After about 2 1/2 hrs I started to think we would not achieve the
dream so I whipped out a bag of tostitos corn chips, uumm good. A few chips and
about another 30-45min later and.. ...IT
BEGAN, as those who know, know words are impotently, flaccidly, woefully
inadequate, but that is what most folks use as a mode of communication between
each other, so i will attempt it anyway. My body began to feel a molten river
of symbols, formulas, aztec, and mayan type imagery, encompassing the entire brilliant
prism of color, swirling and churning around and through me. This became ever
deepening, ever more intense, to the point that i felt the entire fabric of
what i thought was reality give way. I was uterly consumed, utterly terrified,
stripped to the unescapable core of what is the true me. I was in the prescence
of GOD. I was TERRIFIED, but in the midst of this, i came to know my true
nature, uncluttered, behind the veil, the true nature of ourselves,
unemcumbered by the distractions and pitfalls, that an immortal soul occupying
the vessel of our flesh bodies encounters. I crawled on my KNEES, i cried to be
forgiven of my transgressions against others, and maybee it seems more
importantly, myself. Words cannot express the GRATTITUDE and HUMILITY i felt,
and do, as of now. We are all a part of GOD, whatever god is to you, man,
woman, both, whatever, this ubiquitous force is pure love, forgiving, all I had
to do was ask. The teaching would push, expand, deepen, and every time i was
pummelled, to the canvas, beyond defeat, beyond the limit of what i thought i
could possibly survive, i was restored, comforted, nourished, re-inflated by
the divine wind. Ebb and flow, building, exploding, utter peace and
tranquility, all the while, feeling the next wave starting its cycle. I felt
that ANYTHING was possible, all i had to do was ask it, but i couldnt, the
duality of my (and all creation in this realm) nature kept me terrified of the
consequences of asking for something that i may not be capable of handling. The
thought of seeing GOD's face occured to me and i prayed that i wouldnt have to.
I was unsure if i would be permitted to return to this body if i were to know
the face of my master, i knew that i have MUCH work to do, and people that i
love to help. Around 2 hours into the dream, I became coherent enough to sit up
and think for a minute. I thought it might be over, but i had not purged, I
knew that I must, many times earlier i felt as though i would at any moment,
but there was a part of me somewhere that was fighting it. When it came, it was
earthshaking! ALL the filth, negatvity, malice, ill will, and unforgiveness of
myself, was loosed from me. Image after image of all life's unpleasantries, ill
will, the dual part of my nature, that evil that is seamlessly woven into the
very fabric of much of this world, and pollutes, and deviates us from our true
soul/self, it was all gloriously expelled over the course of 20-30 long,
glorious, vomit saturated minutes. It was during and after this that i recieved
the richest visual content of the entire dream. Immediately following the
conclusion of the purge, i was bestowed a state of UTTER DIVINE ECSTASY, which
i can only describe as being nestled in the bosom of my master. I have been
blessed by the divine, and i am forever grateful to all who have received, or
are contemplating teaching from the vine, and i pray that you are given the
gift of knowing your true self, and that you are a part of the infinite love
that is GOD.
2.7 Cultivation
For a good
complete list of plants used read an excerpt from Johnothan ott in Ayahuasca Analogues
Growing these
plants is an undertaking that will one of be the most rewarding aspects of your
experience. Using an ayahuasca brew with plants you've grown, you've already
started to develop a relationship with these plants. The plants will have
gotten to know you and this will emerge as a very important aspect in your
journeys with ayahuasca.
First you should
decide on what plants you want to obtain and grow. Also you need to take into
consideration the growing conditions, ease of cultivation, and requirements of
the plants you decide on. Not to mention how green your thumb is. Eventually
with a bit of trial and error and a lot of TLC you will be able to take care of
most of these plants. So now we'll go over briefly a bit about the care of
common plants used in the ayahuasca brew and their growing conditions.
Banisteriopsis
Caapi Vine of the
soul
This plant is a vine and can survive a vary wide range of conditions. But
depending on where you get it and what conditions it is used to may need to be
slowly adapted to your particular growing conditions. It likes moderate shade
and high humidity. If you get your plant from a green house it may need a
humidity tent at first while you slowly adapt it to less humid conditions. It
is best if the soil never dries out completely yet is not saturated either.
Peganum
Harmala Syrian Rue
This plant can be very difficult to grow at times if it does not have it's
optimal conditions. Plus based on the relatively cheap and easy to obtain seeds
this one you may not want grow yourself. But if you want to become self
sufficient in getting the resources for ayahuasca you may just choose to grow this
neat plant. It needs very well drained soil. Water it like you would a cactus.
Let the soil dry out completely between watering. It also likes just about as
much sun as you can give it.
Psychotria
sp. Chacruna
Much like B. caapi, needs high humidity and moderate shade. Germination can
take as long as six months.
Mimosa
Hostilis Jurema
Fairly hardy tree but is not frost resistant. Germinates quickly if seeds are
soaked in very hot (water just taken off the burner once boiling) water for 20
min then placed a quarter of an inch in the soil. Will germinate in anywhere
from two days to a week or longer. Likes generous amounts of sun.
Desmanthus
illinoensis Illinois bundle flower
Sow in spring or fall in a very open area that gets full day sun. Will tolerate
frost and snow over the winter. Indoors germinating the seeds before planting
will increase the survival rate. Put them in a plastic bag (humidity tent) till
they get a few inches high. Let the soil dry completely between watering. These
plants need a great deal of root space so they will not do as well in
containers as in the ground. Is drought tolerant but prefers regular watering.
Acacia
sp.
Sowing from seed can be difficult. Lightly file a nick into the seed coat being
careful not to penetrate it fully. Even a light nick will do. Soak it in very
hot (water just taken off the burner once boiling) water for 20 min then placed
a quarter of an inch in the soil. Give it as much sun as possible depending on
the species.