Here’s what you need to know about ayahuasca, the natural (and psychedelic) antidepressant

( Natural News ) Perhaps you’ve heard tales of people visiting South America and trying ayahuasca. This psychoactive brew is said to be very enlightening, but what exactly is it – and is it safe? Ayahuasca is a tea made with the leaves of a plant called Psychotria viridis and the stalks from a vine known as Banisteriopsis caapi . Sometimes other ingredients and plants may be added. The psychedelic substance in P. viridis is called DMT, and it is responsible for much of the effect the tea has. It’s combined with the B. caapi to enhance its effects and boost its bioavailability. Although the sudden buzz it’s been getting might make you think it’s new, it is actually centuries old. It was used by ancient tribes in the Amazon for religious and spiritual purposes, and some religious communities in places like Brazil still use it as a sacred beverage. There’s also a ceremonial component, with a shaman or “curandero” responsible for preparing the brew and leading the ceremony. The vine is cleaned and then smashed up prior to boiling to facilitate the extraction of its medicinal compounds. After boiling and reducing the concoction, the water is set aside, and the process is repeated using the remaining plant material to create a highly concentrated liquid. What happens when you take ayahuasca? The tea affects your central nervous system and brings you to an altered state of consciousness. This typically includes hallucinations, euphoria, and even out-of-body experiences. Some people will also experience paranoia and fear. It generally kicks in within 20 to 60 minutes of consuming it, and the trip it induces can last for as long as six hours. Many people experience vomiting and diarrhea along with the psychological effects, and this is said to be part of the […]

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