“Ayahuasca,” the South American hallucinogenic drink: An ethnobotanical and chemical investigation

Rivier, Laurent; Lindgren, Jan‐Erik

doi:10.1007/bf02860772

Cited by 153 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…A very recent study has found cytochrome P450 to catalyze the O-demethylation of harmine and harmaline, and has identified CYP2D6 and CYP1A1 as the major isoenzymes involved in the process (Yu et al, 2003). Nevertheless, we cannot conclude that harmine was completely metabolized to render harmol, because very small amounts of harmol and harmalol have been detected in B. caapi and ayahuasca (Rivier and Lindgren, 1972;McKenna et al, 1984). Thus, it cannot be entirely ruled out that at least part of the amounts found in plasma could have been ingested with the tea.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics

Riba¹,

Valle²,

Urbano³

et al. 2003

J Pharmacol Exp Ther

298

343

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The effects of the South American psychotropic beverage ayahuasca on subjective and cardiovascular variables and urine monoamine metabolite excretion were evaluated, together with the drug's pharmacokinetic profile, in a double-blind placebocontrolled clinical trial. This pharmacologically complex tea, commonly obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, combines N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an orally labile psychedelic agent showing 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A agonist activity, with monoamine oxidase (MAO)-inhibiting ␤-carboline alkaloids (harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine). Eighteen volunteers with prior experience in the use of psychedelics received single oral doses of encapsulated freeze-dried ayahuasca (0.6 and 0.85 mg of DMT/kg of body weight) and placebo. Ayahuasca produced significant subjective effects, peaking between 1.5 and 2 h, involving perceptual modifications and increases in ratings of positive mood and activation. Diastolic blood pressure showed a significant increase at the high dose (9 mm Hg at 75 min), whereas systolic blood pressure and heart rate were moderately and nonsignificantly increased. C max values for DMT after the low and high ayahuasca doses were 12.14 ng/ml and 17.44 ng/ml, respectively. T max (median) was observed at 1.5 h after both doses. The T max for DMT coincided with the peak of subjective effects. Drug administration increased urinary normetanephrine excretion, but, contrary to the typical MAO-inhibitor effect profile, deaminated monoamine metabolite levels were not decreased. This and the negligible harmine plasma levels found suggest a predominantly peripheral (gastrointestinal and liver) site of action for harmine. MAO inhibition at this level would suffice to prevent first-pass metabolism of DMT and allow its access to systemic circulation and the central nervous system.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 71%

Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics

Riba¹,

Valle²,

Urbano³

et al. 2003

J Pharmacol Exp Ther

298

343

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“…Ayahuasca is obtained by infusing the pounded stems of the vine either alone or more frequently in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis (Rubiaceae) or Diplopterys cabrerana (Malpighiaceae). B. caapi contains notable amounts of ß-carboline alkaloids, mainly harmine and tetrahydroharmine, and to a lesser extent harmaline and traces of harmol and harmalol [4,5]. P. viridis and D. cabrerana also contain indole alkaloids, mainly the potent short-acting psychedelic agent N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of the South American Psychoactive Beverage <i>Ayahuasca </i>on Regional Brain Electrical Activity in Humans: A Functional Neuroimaging Study Using Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography

et al. 2004

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Ayahuasca, a South American psychotropic plant tea obtained from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, combines monoamine oxidase-inhibiting β-carboline alkaloids with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic agent showing 5-HT_2A agonist activity. In a clinical research setting, ayahuasca has demonstrated a combined stimulatory and psychedelic effect profile, as measured by subjective effect self-assessment instruments and dose-dependent changes in spontaneous brain electrical activity, which parallel the time course of subjective effects. In the present study, the spatial distribution of ayahuasca-induced changes in brain electrical activity was investigated by means of low-resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA). Electroencephalography recordings were obtained from 18 volunteers after the administration of a dose of encapsulated freeze-dried ayahuasca containing 0.85 mg DMT/kg body weight and placebo. The intracerebral power density distribution was computed with LORETA from spectrally analyzed data, and subjective effects were measured by means of the Hallucinogen Rating Scale (HRS). Statistically significant differences compared to placebo were observed for LORETA power 60 and 90 min after dosing, together with increases in all six scales of the HRS. Ayahuasca decreased power density in the alpha-2, delta, theta and beta-1 frequency bands. Power decreases in the delta, alpha-2 and beta-1 bands were found predominantly over the temporo-parieto-occipital junction, whereas theta power was reduced in the temporomedial cortex and in frontomedial regions. The present results suggest the involvement of unimodal and heteromodal association cortex and limbic structures in the psychological effects elicited by ayahuasca.

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“…Traditional Sub-Saharan, Siberian, and Mesoamerican cultures have been described as often revolving around shamans, who, with the aid of drumming, dancing, and drugs, induce a hypnotic mindset through which group members commune with departed ancestors, spirits, and gods (Atran 2002, p. 124;Pinchbeck 2002;RapinskyNaxon 1993;Waida 1983). An illustrative example comes from the induction of hallucinogenic states by Amazonian shamans via ayahuasca (Rivier and Lindgren 1972).…”

Section: Circumscription Of the Topicmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Evolution of Transcendence

Gorelik

2016

Evolutionary Psychological Science

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The transcendent experience, often described as an ego-dissolving encounter with something greater than one's self, is cross-cultural and pan-historical. I present a model describing the evolution and function of various evolved modes of transcendence, such as group-directed transcendence, theory of mind (ToM)-evoking transcendence, aesthetic transcendence, and epistemic transcendence. I then discuss the vulnerability of these modes of transcendence to costly exploitation by selfish individuals who activate the transcendent state in others for their own reproductive benefit. In the ensuing section, I discuss the relationship between transcendence and human development across the lifespan, and conclude with some thoughts on the epistemic and ethical utility of transcendence.

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“Ayahuasca,” the South American hallucinogenic drink: An ethnobotanical and chemical investigation

Cited by 153 publications

References 21 publications

Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics

Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and Pharmacokinetics

Effects of the South American Psychoactive Beverage <i>Ayahuasca </i>on Regional Brain Electrical Activity in Humans: A Functional Neuroimaging Study Using Low-Resolution Electromagnetic Tomography

The Evolution of Transcendence

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