Chemical Composition of Traditional and Analog Ayahuasca
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – September 08, 2020
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca brews vary significantly in their psychoactive components, with a study analyzing 102 samples revealing that neoshamanic versions contain higher and more variable concentrations of DMT compared to indigenous preparations. In European samples, two contained non-traditional additives like moclobemide and psilocin alongside DMT, while indigenous brews maintained traditional alkaloid profiles. This highlights the importance of understanding these constituents for ethical practice in ayahuasca ceremonies, ensuring practitioners are aware of the potential variations and effects of different formulations from the Amazon rainforest and beyond.
Abstract
Traditional ayahuasca can be defined as a brew made from Amazonian vine Banisteriopsis caapi and Amazonian admixture plants. Ayahuasca is used by indigenous groups in Amazonia, as a sacrament in syncretic Brazilian religions, and in healing and spiritual ceremonies internationally. The study aimed to determine concentrations of the main bio- and psychoactive components of ayahuasca used in different locations and traditions. We collected 102 samples of brews from ayahuasca-using communities. Concentrations of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), tetrahydroharmine, harmine, and harmaline were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Qualitative analyses for non-traditional additives (moclobemide, psilocin, yuremamine) were performed by high resolution mass spectrometry. Higher and more variable concentrations of DMT in neoshamanic ayahuasca samples compared to indigenous samples may indicate use of higher and more variable proportions of DMT-containing admixture plants. From European samples, we found two related samples of analog ayahuasca containing moclobemide, psilocin, DMT, yuremamine, and very low concentrations of B. caapi alkaloids. Some analogs of ayahuasca (Peganum harmala, Mimosa tenuiflora) were used in Europe. No analogs were found from Brazil or Santo Daime ceremonies in Europe. We recommend awareness about the constituents of the brew and ethical self-regulation among practitioners of ayahuasca ceremonies.