Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca (pronounced ‘eye-ah-WAH-ska’) is a plant-based hallucinogenic tea. Hallucinogens (also known as psychedelics) can make a person see, hear, smell, feel or taste things that aren’t really there or cause the person to experience things differently from how they are in reality. The most common ingredients in ayahuasca are Banisteriopsis caapi (also known as caapi) and Psychotria viridis.

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Usage

Ayahuasca has been used for a number of centuries by traditional healers as a medicine and in religious ceremonies. Interest in the therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca has been increasing in western countries,in particular with regard to alcohol and drug dependence.

Common Names

  • Huasca
  • Yagé
  • Brew
  • Daime
  • The Tea
  • La Purga

How is it Used?

Ayahuasca is a brown-reddish drink with a strong taste and smell. The tea is brewed for several hours by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with Psychotria viridis or other plants.The tea is drunk and has an extremely bitter taste.

Ayahuasca Overdose

Dangerous Signs

A small number of deaths have occurred immediately following the use of ayahuasca, if you have any of the following symptoms call an ambulance by dialing 999 or 112:

  • Ongoing nausea
  • Frightening visions
  • Intense intoxication
  • Increased risk-taking
  • Panic
  • Psychosis

Health & Safety

It is difficult to predict the effects of Ayahuasca (even if it has been taken before) as its strength varies from batch to batch. People with mental health conditions or a family history of these conditions should avoid using Ayahuasca.

Side Effects of
Ayahuasca

There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.

The effects of taking Ayahuasca with other drugs including over-the-counter or prescribed medications can be unpredictable and dangerous.

Ayahuasca affects everyone differently, based on:

  • A person’s size, weight and health
  • Whether the person is used to taking it
  • Whether other drugs are taken around the same time
  • The amount taken
  • The strength of the drug
The effects begin in approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour, with maximum intensity from 1 to 2 hours. The effects last from 4 to 6 hours.

You Might Experience

  • Nausea
  • Intense, repetitive vomiting (induced by the tea)
  • Increased sweating
  • Diarrhea
  • Fear and paranoia
  • Feelings of euphoria and well-being
  • Moderate increase in blood pressure and heart rate
  • Increased body temperature
  • Visual and auditory stimulation
  • Anxiety

long-term effects:

Research into the long-term use of ayahuasca is continuing. Early research indicates that long-term use of ayahuasca is not associated with loss of cognitive functioning although long-term use can cause:
  • Anaemia (low red blood cell count)
  • Easy bruising and abnormal bleeding
  • Inflamed stomach lining, stomach bleeding and peptic ulcers
  • Vomiting blood that may look like coffee grounds and bowel motions that look like black tar.
  • An allergic-type reaction, wheezy breathing and a tightness in the chest in adults, hives in children, and in some rare cases swelling of the face, lips, tongue or around the eyes
  • Reduced kidney and liver function