OceanHideaway
9/7/2016 20:02 EST
And now we get to the heart of the matter ...and why playing with ayahuasca is absolutely NOT for everyone.
DMT and MAOI... and for that matter any Anti Depressants.
I became very involved with this topic when I found my butt on the line along with my own natural curiouslity. And I became involved with this group http://ayahuascasafety.org/
Bottom line: If you are on Anti Depressants of ANY TYPE (SSRI, MAOI, even St Johns Wort) do NOT do Ayahuasca.
Yes, it can really be that dangerous...
http://ayahuascasafety.org/?page_id=13
If you are taking no medications...and I mean none...and no "supplements" as certain vitamins and minerals are referred to these days... then you should be, and that is should be...safe.
The deaths you hear about are often due to asphyxiation on vomitus. Inhaling vomit and dying. So yes, you do want adequate assistants with your shaman and 1 or 2 extra folks is NOT sufficient. You want a 1 to 1 ratio or pretty close to that (no more than 1 to 3)
The other nasty you don´t hear about is rape during the ceremony, because most of the women (young and older), and occassionally young men, do not talk about it and are not quite sure it occurred unless of course they are quite sure by either not having had intercourse previously or because of proof on themselves and their clothes. Not something written in International Living, if you get my drift.
But let´s go back to the MAOI.
If you do a quick look up for MAOI contraindications, ironically "MAPS - MAOI Contraindications [related to Ayahuasca]" comes up head of the list. There is a reason for that. If you are on any of the older anti depressants, you are already on an MAOI and doing Ayahuasca is strongly contraindicated.
MAPS (Newsletter of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) which is almost as old as the vaults of EROWID (I´ll get to that in a moment) wrote on this in 1995, which is an eon ago in internet time, but is still the best summation I know:
MAOI Contraindications
Alfred Savinelli sagespirit@aol.com
John H. Halpern, MD jhalpern@warren.med.harvard.edu
Ayahuasca and its analogs are aqueous solutions, traditionally made in the, Amazon from the vine of Banisteriopsis and the leaves of Psychotria viridis. The orally inactive tryptamines are orally activated in the presence of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) extracted from the Banisteriopsis vine. The mechanism of MAOI can be used to potentiate most classes of tryptamines as well as many other classes of drugs. There is current worldwide interest in Ayahuasca for entheogenic exploration. Moreover, its analysis as a natural MAOI has caused attention to be directed towards the more potent, synthetic MAOIs.(1) We aim to reduce harm and promote safety by expounding on potential contraindications of MAOIs with foods and pharmaceuticals.
The prescription of MAOI antidepressants in the medical profession has led to a detailed review of common medications, drugs of abuse, and foods to avoid.(2,3)
Entheogenic tryptamines are orally activated by MAOI's inhibition of the enzyme monoamine oxidase in the gut. However, there are adverse drug interactions secondary to MAOI intake (Table 1). Of particular note, using MAOI's within five weeks of discontinuing the serotonin selective reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine (Prozac) could lead to coma and death.(4) Discontinuation of the other SSRI antidepressants also require a two to three week washout prior to MAOI intake.
The goal of a dietary regimen compatible with the use of MAOI's is to avoid tyramine-containing foods which in general are fermented, desiccated, aged, or overripe (Table 2). Foods not listed in Table 2 could be of danger as well: when not fresh, tyrosine and other aromatic amino acids naturally present are degraded by bacteria with tyramine as a resultant byproduct. Tyramine stimulates the release of norepinephrine in the bloodstream and its absorption is blocked by MAOI. Sufficient exposure can therefore cause a norepinephrine surge resulting in hypertension. Symptoms include nausea, occipital headache, and even intracranial hemorrhage.
Increased norepinephrine release is also compounded by stimulants, including amphetamines and other amines. Due to the amphetamine properties of the phenethylamine entheogens, mescaline and MDMA ("Ecstasy"), a hypertensive crisis could ensue as a result of their combination with an MAOI. Such an interaction has been reported in the literature.(5)
Contraindications to the use of MAOIs include severe liver and kidney impairment, severe or frequent headache, uncontrolled hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases.(6) Of course, those with psychiatric preconditions, especially prior psychotic breaks, should avoid entheogens, except when mediated by a professional.
Those considering self-induced exploration should be aware of its complications and make an informed decision. The restrictions here delineated are not meant to be all-encompassing but, rather, are meant to provide general guidelines. Further questions should be directed to your physician.
Table 1. Contraindicated Drugs
(Partial list): amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA, opiates, barbiturates, deconjestants & allergy medications, cold medications, diet pills, methylphenidate, asthma inhalers, meperidine, levodopa, dopamine, carbamazapine, certain antihypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (direct & indirect acting) including psuedoephedrine & ephidrine.
Table 2. Contraindicated Foods
cheese, L-tyrosine, liver, broad beans, dry sausage, beer & ale, chocolate, sauerkraut, ripe avocado yeast extracts, caffeine, raspberry jam, certain nuts, dried fruit, banana peel, soy bean products, vermouth, cognac, sherry, chianti, smoked meat, poultry & fish, protein dietary supplements, meat extracts & tenderizers
Response to this letter in a later issue of MAPS
References
Ott J (1993). Pharmacotheon: Entheogenic drugs, their plant sources and history. Kennewick, WA: Natural Products Co. 253-254.
McCabe BJ (1986). Dietary tyramine and other pressor amines in MAOI regimes: A review. Journal of The American Dietetic Association. 86:8:1059-64.
Hales RE, Yudolfsky SC, Talbott JA (Editors) (1994). American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Psychiatry. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, Inc. 940-3.
Sternbach H (1991). The Serotonin Syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry. 148:705-13.
Kaskey GB (1992). Possible Interaction Between an MAOI and "Ecstasy"
(Letter to the Editor). American Journal of Psychiatry. 149:3:411-2. Physicians' Desk Reference (48th edition, 1994). Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Data.
http://www.maps.org/news-letters/v06n1/06158mao.html
And now from the hallowed vaults of EROWID:
Reports and a knowledge base of interactions and experience:
So take a look around the vaults. I used them for years to learn what I know about cannabis before most of the information made it to the main stream (we´re talking 25+ years ago when Istarted creating edibles for my friends with AIDS/HIV wasting)
https://erowid.org/chemicals/ayahuasca/ayahuasca.shtml
Be educated
Be aware
Be safe
... this is a trip for a serious purpose, not merely to sight see.
As for me? I´ve done quite enough introspection for myself, and am perhaps too self aware ... ayahuasca does not call to me. But we have a respectful relationship.
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