Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca
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Common names & how is it used?
Huasca
Yagé
Brew
Daime
The Tea
La Purga
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.

Side Effects of Ayahuasca
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There is no safe level of drug use. Use of any drug always carries risk.
Ayahuasca affects everyone differently, based on:
• The 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 drugThe 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.
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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
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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



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