Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca (pronunciation: /aɪjəˈwæskə/) is a psychoactive brew or tea most commonly derived from Banisteriopsis caapi, a vine containing monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and the leaves of Psychotria viridis or other plant containing N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and often several other admixture plants.
Etymology
The word Ayahuasca is of Quechua origin, and translates as "vine of the soul" or "rope of death". The name is derived from the Quechua words aya meaning "spirit, soul", or "corpse, dead body" and wasca meaning "rope" or "woody vine", "liana".
Usage
Ayahuasca is used as a traditional spiritual medicine in ceremonies among the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin. It can be mixed with a range of other plants. The brew, first described academically in the early 1950s by Harvard ethnobotanist Richard Evans Schultes, who found it employed for divinatory and healing purposes by the native peoples of Amazonian Peru, is known by a number of different names.
Effects
The effects of Ayahuasca can be attributed to the combination of DMT and MAOIs. DMT is a powerful hallucinogenic chemical that induces alterations in perception, mood and thought. However, it is not active when taken orally unless combined with a MAOI, which inhibits the enzyme that breaks down DMT in the stomach, allowing it to enter the bloodstream.
Safety
While Ayahuasca has been used for centuries in South American indigenous cultures, there are potential health risks, particularly for individuals with heart conditions or mental health disorders, and for those taking certain medications.
Legal Status
The legal status of Ayahuasca varies worldwide. While it is legal in some countries, it is illegal or controlled in others, and laws can change, so it is important to check the current legal status in your location before using Ayahuasca.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ayahuasca
- Wikipedia's article - Ayahuasca
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