When Ayahuasca is brewed, the beta-carboline harmala alkaloids prevent the liver from breaking down the DMT, allowing the DMT to circulate through the nervous system causing pharmacological effects. 
(Image shows the chemical structures in Ayahuasca)

Chemical Reaction of Ayahuasca: Beta-carboline DMT interaction

The bush leaves contain the psychedelic N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Syracuse University

A brewed Amazonian drink with psychoactive properties made by boiling Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria viridis bush leaves ( which contains harmala alkaloids, which render the hallucinogenic component DMT orally active).  It was originally used by indigenous shamans for religious rituals and healing. Now it is being used for recreation, being incorporated into folk medicine, and treatment for addiction, anxiety, and depression. 

Ayahuasca

Domínguez-clavé, E., Soler, J., Elices, M., Pascual, J. C., Álvarez, E., De la fuente revenga, M., Friedlander, P., Feilding, A., & Riba, J. (2016). Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential. Brain Research Bulletin, 126, 89-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainresbull.2016.03.002


Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential

A study was conducted to test the effectiveness of ayahuasca as a possible treatment for depression. Participants of this study were categorized as having mild to severe depression, a score of 13 or greater on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and symptoms of chronic depression for at least 2 years. Participants were given ayahuasca once and took questionnaires to asses their symptom levels before using ayahuasca, one week after use, one month after, and one year after using ayahuasca.


Therapeutic effects of ayahuasca for clinical depression 

- Ayahuasca: Psychological and Physiologic Effects, Pharmacology and Potential Uses in Addiction and Mental Illness
- Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential
- N, n-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an endogenous hallucinogen: Past, present, and future research to determine its role and function.
- Use of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) Questionnaire to Assess Levels of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Healthcare and Administrative Staff in 5 Oncology Institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina During the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
- Therapeutic effect of an ayahuasca analogue in clinically depressed patients: A longitudinal observational study


Ayahuasca References

The vine containsc (MAOIs) such as beta-carboline harmala alkaloids; alkaloids harmine, tetrahydroharmine (THH), and small amounts of harmaline. 

Banisteriopsis caapi vine Chemical Makeup

Psychotria viridis Chemical Makeup

Ayahuasca has been shown to interfere with   DMN function after the administration of the drug. Furthermore, long-term ayahuasca use has led to the increased thickness of the ACC and decreased thickness of the PCC which are key components of DMN.  Studies also show an increase in local network integration as well as a decrease in global network integration.  This also occurs as there is an increase in Shannon entropy across networks. 

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