Self-experiments with pharmepéna (crystalline 5-MeO-DMT, sometimes combined with harmaline or harmine) via intranasal, sublingual, and oral routes model South American shamanic snuffs like epéna. The 1967 Holmstedt-Lindgren hypothesis—that intranasal tryptamines are potentiated by MAOI beta-carbolines from Banisteriopsis caapi—was confirmed in about 17 bioassays. Relevant phytochemical and psychonautic literature is also reviewed.
Bufotenine (5-HO-DMT), a psychoactive compound found in South American shamanic snuffs made from Anadenanthera seeds, produces visionary effects when administered intranasally, sublingually, intrarectally, or as inhaled vapor. Twenty-five human self-experiments confirmed the 1967 Holmstedt-Lindgren hypothesis: that intranasal potentiation of tryptamines occurs when combined with monoamine-oxidase-inhibiting beta-carbolines from Banisteriopsis caapi. The text reviews phytochemical and psychonautic literature and details bufotenine isolation from Anadenanthera seeds.