Skip to main content
dose.wiki is still in beta. Entries may contain inaccuracies and/or lack citations. See our docs for more info.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca molecule structureAyahuasca molecule structure
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine with Harmala Alkaloids (MAOI combination)
Aya, Caapi, Cipó, Yage, Yaje
Chemical Class
Tryptamineβ-carboline

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive decoction traditionally prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and a DMT-containing plant, used by indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin in ceremonial and shamanic contexts1 since before recorded history. The β-carboline alkaloids in B. caapi act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, rendering DMT orally active.citation needed Its name derives from Quechuan languages, meaning 'spirit rope' or 'liana of the soul.'2 Ayahuasca is known for producing intense spiritual and psychological experiences.citation needed

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Ayahuasca cannot be dosed by weight because it is a brewed preparation rather than a pure compound. The beverage is made by boiling Banisteriopsis caapi vine together with DMT-containing plant material, most commonly Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana. Potency differs substantially from one batch to another depending on the ratio of ingredients, the skill of the preparer, and the inclusion of additional admixtures. This variability makes standardized dosing impractical.

Duration

Onset20-60 minutes
Come Up30-45 minutes
Peak1-2 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects1-8 hours
Total4-8 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of Ayahuasca can be broken down into three main components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Cognitive

The head space of ayahuasca is described by many as extremely sober and clear headed in its style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or Psilocin. This is despite the fact that it contains a large number of psychedelic typical and unique cognitive effects.

Enhancement of current mind stateAcceleration of thoughtConnectivity of thoughtFeelings of fascination, importance and aweTime distortionIntrospectionOutrospectionRejuvenationDéjà vuRemoval of cultural filterConceptual thinkingDirect communication with the subconsciousEgo suppression, loss and deathFeelings of interdependent oppositesDelusions

Visual

Distortions

Enhancements

Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of Psilocin than LSD. They can be comprehensively described as structured in their organization, organic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, equal in blurred and sharp edges and equal in rounded and angular corners. At higher dosages they are significantly more likely to result in states of level 7B visual geometry over level 7A. In terms of their manifestation, they are progressive in nature and continuously self-complexify in settings with little or no visual input and disturbances.

Hallucinatory States

Ayahuasca and other forms of DMT produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of any other commonly used psychedelic.

External hallucinations

Auditory

The auditory effects of ayahuasca are extremely consistent in occurrence in comparison to that of LSD and psilocin and exhibit a full range of effects.

EnhancementsDistortionsHallucinations
Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins September 2013.

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Ayahuasca's psychoactive effects arise from the combined actions of DMT and harmala alkaloids. DMT stimulates serotonin receptors in the brain, with activity at the 5-HT2A receptor subtype most directly associated with its psychoactive properties.2 The harmala alkaloids harmine and harmaline function as selective, reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A, classified as RIMAs).citation needed The β-carbolines in B. caapi also exhibit independent activity at serotonin and benzodiazepine receptors.2 Tetrahydroharmine, another constituent alkaloid, displays weak serotonin reuptake inhibition.3

Pharmacokinetics

DMT is ordinarily degraded by monoamine oxidase enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract, rendering it orally inactive when consumed alone.4 The reversible inhibition of MAO-A by harmine and harmaline prevents this oxidation, allowing DMT to pass unmetabolized through the stomach and small intestine and subsequently cross the blood-brain barrier.citation needed Individual polymorphisms of the CYP2D6 enzyme affect the rate at which harmine is metabolized.

Metabolitesnone documented yet

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesAmphetaminesAMTCocaineDXMMDMAPCPSSRIsTramadol

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

AlcoholDiphenhydramineMXE

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

2C-T-x compounds2C-x compoundsDOx compoundsKetamineMescalineNBOMe compoundsOpioids
Powered by TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Ayahuasca does not produce significant tolerance with repeated use. The substance can theoretically be used on consecutive days without notable diminishment of effects.
Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline), Other 5-HT2A agonists

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

Ayahuasca shows no psychological addiction potential and many users report a self-regulating quality to the substance. Research has shown it may actually be effective in treating addictions, with lower Addiction Severity Index scores observed in ayahuasca users compared to controls.citation needed

Physical

Extremely Low

Ayahuasca is not physically addictive and does not produce physical dependence.citation needed The substance builds no significant tolerance and can theoretically be used frequently without developing dependence.

Toxicity

Gastrointestinal

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea ('la purga') are common acute effects during the experience; these are transient symptoms related to the mechanism of action and are not indicative of organ damage.citation needed

Cardiovascular

Acute increases in blood pressure and heart rate (tachycardia) occur during intoxication; these effects are transient and resolve after the experience ends.citation needed

Endocrine

Transient increases in prolactin, cortisone, and growth hormone secretion have been correlated with ayahuasca consumption; these hormonal changes occur during the acute experience.citation needed

Antibiotic Function
Possible

Harmaline has been reported to exhibit antimicrobial, antileishmanial, and antiplasmodial properties.2 Harmala alkaloids have demonstrated ability to expel parasitic worms by stunning or killing them.

Psychosis Risk

Ayahuasca is suspected of triggering psychosis and schizophrenia in individuals with a predisposition to these conditions.citation needed Acute delusions, paranoia, and confusional states may occur during the experience, particularly when accompanied by severe nausea. Family history of psychotic disorders is considered a contraindication.

Seizure Risk

Seizures are listed among the rarer side effects of ayahuasca.7

History & Culture

Indigenous Origins and Archaeological Evidence

Ayahuasca has been used by the indigenous peoples of South America since before recorded history. The word itself derives from Quechuan languages spoken in the Andes, with its name translating to "spirit rope" or "liana of the soul," referring both to the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the…

Trip Reports

Loading related reports

Preparing section content

Still loading. Refresh if this section does not appear.

Legality

International

Ayahuasca is not internationally scheduled under the 1961 Single Convention, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, or the 1988 Convention. DMT is in Schedule I of the 1971 Convention, but the INCB states that plant and fungal materials and preparations containing scheduled psychotropics, including ayahuasca, are not under international control.

By Country

Illegal21
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Australia flagAustraliaIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal
Chile flagChileIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
France flagFranceIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
Italy flagItalyIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Mexico flagMexicoIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
New Zealand flagNew ZealandIllegal
Norway flagNorwayIllegal
Philippines flagPhilippinesIllegal
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Russia flagRussiaIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
South Africa flagSouth AfricaIllegal
South Korea flagSouth KoreaIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted2
Colombia flagColombiaRestricted
Denmark flagDenmarkRestricted
Legal / decriminalized3
Brazil flagBrazilLegal (regulated)
Peru flagPeruLegal; protected cultural heritage
Portugal flagPortugalDecriminalized

References

Source Pages

  1. Disregard Everything I Say
  2. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  3. Erowid: Ayahuasca Analogues and Pharmahuasca
  4. Erowid: Ayahuasca Vault
  5. Erowid: DMT Freebase Content in Ayahuasca/Pharmahuasca Preparations
  6. McKenna et al. 1998 - Scientific Investigation of Ayahuasca
  7. PsychonautWiki: Ayahuasca
  8. PsychonautWiki: Harmala alkaloid
  9. PsychonautWiki: Peganum harmala
  10. TripSit Factsheet: DMT
  11. TripSit Wiki: Ayahuasca
  12. TripSit: Drug Combination Chart
  13. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Jonathan Hamill, Jaime Hallak, Serdar M. Dursun, & Glen Baker. (2019). Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness. Current Neuropharmacology, 17(2), 108–128. https://doi.org/10.2174/1570159x166661801250959021
  2. Simon G. D. Ruffell, Max Crosland-Wood, Rob Palmer, Nige Netzband, WaiFung Tsang, Brandon Weiss, Sam Gandy, Tessa Cowley-Court, Andreas Halman, Diana McHerron, Angelina Jong, Tom Kennedy, Eleanor White, Daniel Perkins, Devin B. Terhune, & Jerome Sarris. (December 2023). Ayahuasca: A review of historical, pharmacological, and therapeutic aspects. PCN Reports: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 2(4), e146. https://doi.org/10.1002/pcn5.1461234
  3. Klemens Egger, Helena D. Aicher, Paul Cumming, & Milan Scheidegger. (September 2024). Neurobiological research on N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and its potentiation by monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibition: from ayahuasca to synthetic combinations of DMT and MAO inhibitors. Cell Mol Life Sci, 81(1), 395. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-024-05353-61
  4. Eleanor White, Tom Kennedy, Simon Ruffell, Daniel Perkins, & Jerome Sarris. (2024). Ayahuasca and Dimethyltryptamine Adverse Events and Toxicity Analysis: A Systematic Thematic Review. Int J Toxicol, 43(3), 327–339. https://doi.org/10.1177/109158182412309161
  5. Rafael Guimarães dos Santos, José Carlos Bouso, & Jaime Eduardo Cecilio Hallak. (2017). Ayahuasca: what mental health professionals need to know. Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo), 44(4), 103–109. https://doi.org/10.1590/0101-608300000001301
  6. Ede Frecska, Petra Bokor, & Michael Winkelman. (2016). The Therapeutic Potentials of Ayahuasca: Possible Effects against Various Diseases of Civilization. Frontiers in Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.000351
  7. José Carlos Bouso, Óscar Andión, Jerome J. Sarris, Milan Scheidegger, Luís Fernando Tófoli, Emérita Sátiro Opaleye, Violeta Schubert, & Daniel Perkins. (2022). Adverse effects of ayahuasca: Results from the Global Ayahuasca Survey. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(11). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.00004381
  8. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/asmade/2026-05-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  9. Resolução nº 1, de 25 de janeiro de 2010, CONAD. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/assuntos/sua-protecao/politicas-sobre-drogas/subcapas-senad/conad/atos-do-conad-1/2010/11___resolucao_n__01_2010___conad.pdf1
  10. Resolução nº 1, de 25 de janeiro de 2010, CONAD. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/acesso-a-informacao/perguntas-frequentes/drogas/conselho-nacional-de-politicas-sobre-drogas/CNPD1

Further Reading

  1. Alcohol and Drug Foundation: Ayahuasca
  2. Callaway et al. 1999 - Pharmacokinetics of Hoasca alkaloids in healthy humans
  3. Nichols 2016 - Psychedelics
  4. Osório et al. 2015 - Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca
  5. Palhano-Fontes et al. 2019 - Rapid antidepressant effects of ayahuasca
  6. Santos et al. 2013 - Safety and side effects of ayahuasca in humans

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Lyrea avatar
    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

Times are UTCNewest first

11 July 2026

  1. Lyrea · Updated the article

  2. Lyrea · Updated the article

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

All changes to this article · Site-wide recent changes

Suggest an edit

Spotted a mistake, an outdated claim, or something missing from the Ayahuasca article? Send the editors a private note. Feedback lands in a moderation queue and is never shown on the site.

Wish to give generalised feedback? You can do so here.