Chacruna: What Is It, How Does It Work and What Are the Risks?

Chacruna (Psychotria viridis) is a tropical plant best known as one of the plants used in ayahuasca. Its leaves contain DMT, a powerful psychedelic compound. However, consuming chacruna on its own does not normally produce the same effects as ayahuasca.

This is because DMT is rapidly broken down by the body when taken orally. In traditional ayahuasca preparations, a DMT-containing plant such as chacruna is therefore combined with a plant that temporarily slows down this process, usually Banisteriopsis caapi.

Important: This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Ayahuasca can cause serious interactions with medications and may carry additional risks for people with certain physical or mental health conditions.

What is chacruna?

Chacruna (Psychotria viridis) is a shrub belonging to the Rubiaceae family, which also includes coffee plants. It can grow several metres tall, with leaves that grow opposite each other along the branches and are usually around 5 to 15 centimetres long.

Chacruna is native to tropical regions of Central and South America and is particularly associated with the Amazon rainforest. It has a long history of use within various indigenous traditions. The plant is mainly known because its leaves naturally contain N,N-dimethyltryptamine, better known as DMT.

What is DMT?

DMT is a psychedelic substance that can cause profound changes in perception, thought and consciousness. It occurs naturally in a variety of plants, including Chacruna and Jurema (Mimosa hostilis).

The amount of DMT found in chacruna can vary from one plant to another. For this reason, it is not accurate to apply a single fixed DMT percentage to all chacruna plants.

When taken orally under normal circumstances, DMT is quickly broken down by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase, particularly MAO-A. As a result, chacruna on its own does not usually produce the same prolonged psychedelic effects associated with ayahuasca.

Why are chacruna and Banisteriopsis caapi combined?

Traditional ayahuasca commonly contains a combination of two types of plants:

• a DMT-containing plant, such as chacruna;
• an MAO-inhibiting plant, usually Banisteriopsis caapi.

Banisteriopsis caapi contains beta-carbolines such as harmine and harmaline. These compounds temporarily and reversibly inhibit MAO-A. This slows the breakdown of DMT, allowing enough of the substance to remain available after oral consumption to produce strong psychoactive effects.

What is ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a plant-based brew that has been used for a long time by various indigenous communities in the Amazon region. It can form part of spiritual and ceremonial practices as well as traditional healing traditions.

Today, ayahuasca ceremonies and retreats are also organised outside South America. However, modern use outside the Amazon region should not automatically be considered equivalent to traditional or ceremonial use within indigenous cultures.

Want to learn more about ayahuasca? Read our blog: What is ayahuasca?

Can you grow chacruna?

Psychotria viridis is a tropical plant that can be propagated from either seeds or cuttings. Cuttings are often described as the easier method.

Fresh seeds can take a long time to germinate. Germination may take several months, and germination rates can decrease when seeds are old or have been stored incorrectly.

Because chacruna originates from a tropical climate, it requires warm conditions and relatively high humidity.

What are the risks of chacruna?

It is important to distinguish between chacruna on its own and combinations in which the breakdown of DMT is inhibited.

When chacruna is consumed orally on its own, much of its DMT is rapidly broken down by the body. The risk profile changes considerably when DMT is combined with MAO-inhibiting substances, as this can greatly increase its psychoactive effects.

Possible effects of DMT-containing combinations include significant changes in perception, intense emotions, anxiety, panic, confusion and physical effects such as changes in blood pressure and heart rate.

Chacruna and medications

Combinations involving MAO-inhibiting substances can cause significant interactions with medications. This is particularly relevant for medicines that affect serotonin or other monoamine neurotransmitters.

Certain antidepressants and other serotonergic medications can cause dangerous reactions when combined with MAO inhibition.

Do you take medication? Always discuss the use of DMT-containing or MAO-inhibiting substances with a doctor or pharmacist first. Never stop taking prescribed medication without medical guidance.

What is serotonin syndrome?

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially serious reaction caused by excessive serotonergic activity in the nervous system.

The risk can increase when certain serotonergic medications are combined with MAO inhibitors.

Possible symptoms include:

• severe agitation;
• confusion;
• excessive sweating;
• increased body temperature;
• rapid heart rate;
• tremors;
• muscle stiffness or muscle twitching.

Severe serotonin syndrome can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical treatment.

Are chacruna and ayahuasca legal?

The legal status of chacruna, DMT and ayahuasca varies between countries. The applicable rules may also depend on the type of product, how a plant has been processed and whether a preparation contains controlled substances.

• DMT: DMT is a controlled or prohibited substance in many countries. Restrictions may apply to possession, production, sale, transport, import and export.
• Ayahuasca and DMT-containing preparations: Brews, extracts, capsules and other preparations containing DMT may be regulated differently or more strictly than unprocessed plant material.
• Chacruna and other plants: The legal status of plants such as Psychotria viridis and Banisteriopsis caapi also varies by country. In some jurisdictions, there may be an important legal distinction between possessing an unprocessed plant and possessing an extract, concentrate, powder or other processed product made from it.

Laws can change and may differ depending on the country, product and form of processing. Always check the current local regulations in your country and, where relevant, in the destination or shipping country before purchasing, possessing, processing or transporting chacruna, ayahuasca or other DMT-containing plants or products.