Alcohol & Ayahuasca
Alcohol primarily acts as a central nervous system depressant. It enhances the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and reduces the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. It also influences other neurotransmitter systems like dopamine and serotonin systems, contributing to its mood-altering effects.
Ayahuasca originates from the Amazon as a shamanic substance. It's made by steeping the shredded stem of the malpighiaceous Banisteriopsis caapi vine with leaves from other plants, typically Dyplopteris cabrerana or Psychotria viridis. The primary contribution from Banisteriopsis caapi is three alkaloids, known as ß-carbolines: harmine, tetrahydroharmine, and to a lesser extent, harmaline. Meanwhile, Dyplopteris cabrerana and Psychotria viridis add significant amounts of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The final composition of ayahuasca varies greatly due to the fluctuating alkaloid levels in the plants used, differences in extraction times, and variations in concentration levels in the final infusion.
Among the key alkaloids in ayahuasca, DMT stands out for inducing its hallucinogenic effects. DMT is a powerful, short-acting hallucinogen found in many plant species in both temperate and tropical areas. DMT primarily acts on serotonin receptors, especially 5-HT2A, leading to altered states of consciousness and hallucinations.
The combination of alcohol and Ayahuasca is a complex and potentially hazardous mixture, involving interactions at various biochemical and physiological levels.
Alcohol can alter the metabolism of DMT, potentially leading to unpredictable levels of the substance in the body. The depressant effects of alcohol may intensify or unpredictably alter the psychoactive effects of Ayahuasca. The MAOIs in Ayahuasca can interact dangerously with the byproducts of alcohol metabolism, potentially leading to hypertensive crises. The load on the liver and toxic effects on hepatocytes may also increase significantly. The mixture can intensify psychological effects, potentially leading to severe anxiety, paranoia, and psychosis. The interaction of these substances is highly unpredictable, with effects varying greatly between individuals.
Usually, taking Ayahuasca is not a recreational but a mystical, transformative, and possibly therapeutic experience, which one way or another will be a powerful shake-up for the neurochemistry of the brain, consciousness, and personality. Therefore, the use of Ayahuasca is usually accompanied by careful preparations up to the observance of fasting. In this regard, any combination with Ayahuasca seems superfluous and undesirable.
All things considered, we recommend avoiding this combination under any conditions.
Last edited by a moderator: