Pharmahuasca: Human Pharmacology of Oral DMT Plus Harmine
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs – April 01, 1999
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A compelling finding highlights that eight self-experimenters confirmed the 1967 Holmstedt-Lindgren hypothesis, demonstrating that harmine and other beta-carbolines enable the oral psychoactivity of DMT through monoamine oxidase inhibition. In total, 70 bioassays were conducted, showcasing various combinations of tryptamines and beta-carbolines in capsules. This exploration enhances our understanding of the chemistry and pharmacology behind pharmahuasca, contributing valuable insights into traditional medicine and the neuroscience of psychedelics, supported by a comprehensive review with 66 references.
Abstract
A summary is presented of human self-experiments or psychonautic bioassays of pharmahuasca--capsules containing crystalline N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) plus harmine, as well as combinations of other psychoactive tryptamines with other beta-carbolines. The 1967 Holmstedt-Lindgren hypothesis of the ayahuasca effect--oral psychoactivity of DMT consequent to monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibition from simultaneous ingestion of beta-carbolines--has been confirmed by eight self-experimenters. Results of a total of some 70 bioassays are summarized and the literature on this subject is reviewed (with 66 references and one table).