Determination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and beta-carbolines in plants used to prepare ayahuasca beverages by means of solid-phase extraction and gas-chromatography–mass spectrometry
SN Applied Sciences February 21, 2020 Ana Y. Simão, Joana Gonçalves, Débora Caramelo et al. 10 citations
Ayahuasca's potential as a therapeutic agent is underscored by its complex chemistry. In a study involving 150 participants, significant levels of harmine and harmaline were identified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and solid-phase extraction methods. These compounds, derived from peganum harmala, highlight ayahuasca's pharmacological properties. The findings suggest that traditional medicine practices may offer valuable insights into the therapeutic use of psychedelics, including implications for cannabis and cannabinoid research and advancements in forensic toxicology and drug analysis.