When formulation procedures strongly matter: a case study of ayahuasca use in Centro Luz Divina, Piedade, São Paulo, Brazil
Revista de Ciências Farmacêutica Básica e Aplicadas - RCFBA January 1, 2021 Arilton Martins Fonseca, Eliana Rodrigues
The Centro Luz Divina (CLD) in Piedade, São Paulo, founded in 2002, produces ayahuasca using Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi in rituals called feitios. Two recipes, the First and Second Degree beverages, differ in preparation time, concentration, and plant diversity, reportedly yielding different potencies. Based on 578 hours of fieldwork and interviews with ten leaders, the study details the center's history and recipes, noting that higher-degree beverages likely contain richer chemical profiles. Future chemical and pharmacological research should examine these and other Daimist center recipes, as ayahuasca's substances are suggested for treating Parkinson's, anxiety, and depression.