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

• April 28 2026, by Noah van Knippenberg
• 8 min reading time

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email
• Share

---

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic brew from South America. It is gaining more and more attention worldwide. Because of its profound impact on both the body and the mind, there is a clear need for facts. This blog provides information on what it is, how it works, and the potential risks involved.

Disclaimer: This text is intended for informational purposes only. Ayahuasca is illegal in many countries (including much of the EU) and its use is not without danger. There are significant risks to your physical and psychological health. In combination with certain medications, it can even be fatal. This text is meant only to inform and does not constitute medical advice.

What is Ayahuasca?

It originates from the Amazon basin in South America. Indigenous tribes, such as the Shipibo in Peru, have used the brew for centuries. The name comes from the Quechua language: 'Aya' means soul, spirit, ancestor, or the deceased. 'Huasca' means rope, vine, or liana. It can be translated as the "vine of the soul." In other regions, it is also known as yagé, hoasca, caapi, daime, or 'la purga.'

Traditionally, it is consumed during a ritual led by a shaman or curandero. They use it for healing, cleansing, or predicting the future. It is also used in religious contexts; for example, the Santo Daime church and the União do Vegetal use it as a sacred sacrament. For various tribes, the ceremony also serves as a rite of passage into adulthood for boys around the age of thirteen. Traditional ceremonies typically take place after sunset in a darkened space. Participants lie in a circle and are guided for hours by music and chanting (icaros), or by long periods of silence broken only by the sounds of those purging.

While little is known about the ancient history of ayahuasca in the Amazon, the British botanicus Richard Spruce was the first Westerner to collect and describe the plants in 1851. The brew only became widely known in the West in 1963, following the publication of the book "The Yage Letters" by authors William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg.

How does Ayahuasca work?

The tea is usually prepared from two specific plants. The first is the vine of a climbing plant, the Banisteriopsis caapi. The second is a shrub often called Psychotria viridis (Chacruna).

The leaves of that shrub contain DMT. This is a powerful substance that causes hallucinations. If you were to eat or drink those leaves on their own, nothing would happen. Your stomach and liver break down the DMT immediately because of special enzymes in your body called MAO enzymes. As a result, the DMT never reaches your brain.

This is where the second plant comes in. The vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) contains MAO inhibitors (MAOIs), such as harmine and harmaline. These substances temporarily stop your body from breaking down the DMT. This allows the DMT to travel through your bloodstream and reach your brain, ultimately causing the profound alteration in consciousness.

While the basic recipe is often similar, every shaman has their own recipe. Sometimes other plants are added, such as tobacco, cannabis, datura, or Brugmansia, to further direct the experience. For inexperienced users, such mixtures are strongly discouraged. There are also variants, such as anahuasca, where the vine is replaced by, for example, seeds of Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala). This is simpler to prepare and, according to users, often provides a slightly less intense experience.

What are the effects of Ayahuasca?

A trip usually lasts between 4 to 6 hours, though it can extend to 8 hours. You experience vivid imagery with bright colors and moving patterns. Everything feels different: time, the space around you, your thoughts, and your emotions. Nothing feels "normal" anymore.

For many, it is a spiritual experience. They may feel they are in contact with other beings or receive insights that change their lives. This can help them process deep-seated traumas they have struggled with for a long time.

Physical reaction

Your body reacts intensely. You may sweat, your heart rate and blood pressure increase, and you may become dizzy. Your body also often feels very heavy.

Almost everyone becomes very nauseous. It is common to vomit and experience diarrhea. In the tradition, this is called 'la purga,' or the purge. They do not see vomiting as a negative side effect; rather, they view it as a way to cleanse the body and spirit of negativity.

What are the risks and dangers of Ayahuasca?

Using Ayahuasca is not without risk. There are significant dangers involved, affecting both your mental and physical health.

Psychological risks

You may experience a 'bad trip'—an experience where you become extremely frightened or confused. You may feel a loss of control or become paranoid. Without proper support and integration, this can even lead to long-term trauma. If you are prone to psychological issues, you must be extra cautious. Ayahuasca can suddenly surface or worsen underlying problems such as depression, anxiety, or psychosis.

Physical dangers

The MAO inhibitors in the brew are risky when combined with certain foods. Common products such as aged cheese, fermented foods, or red wine contain a substance called tyramine. Due to the MAO inhibitor, this substance can build up to dangerous levels in your body. This is why a strict "Ayahuasca diet" (dieta) is required before and after a ceremony.

Medication and drugs

It is life-threatening to combine Ayahuasca with certain medications. This includes antidepressants (SSRIs), antipsychotics, and anti-anxiety medications. Additionally, drugs like MDMA (Ecstasy) must absolutely be avoided. Such combinations can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal.

This is why a thorough screening beforehand is so important. A professional must evaluate your medical and psychological history. Expert guidance is essential to prevent severe incidents.

Medical and scientific perspective

In modern science, interest is growing regarding the potential therapeutic applications of Ayahuasca for complex conditions such as depression, PTSD, and addiction. A crucial reference point is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study from 2018 (Palhano-Fontes et al.), published in Psychological Medicine.

This clinical study investigated the effectiveness of a single dose of Ayahuasca in patients with treatment-resistant depression. The results were notable: the group that received Ayahuasca showed a significant decrease in depressive symptoms compared to the placebo group. While these findings are promising, researchers emphasize that this result was achieved in a strictly controlled medical setting with professional guidance and screening.

The challenges of research

A major hurdle in research is that every shaman or facilitator uses their own recipe. Consequently, it is difficult to know the exact potency or chemical makeup of the brew. Without standardization, it remains a challenge for modern medicine to measure consistent results.

A clear warning

Doctors and psychiatrists are certain of one thing: Ayahuasca is extremely dangerous for individuals who have current or past psychological disorders. For them, the risks simply outweigh the potential benefits.

Legal status of Ayahuasca

In many countries, including much of the EU and the US, Ayahuasca is prohibited. The active compound, DMT, is a controlled substance in most jurisdictions, often classified as a high-risk drug. While it is legal and protected as cultural heritage in several Latin American countries, Western laws are generally strict. There may be narrow exceptions for specific religious groups, but these vary significantly by country.

Due to these legal restrictions, an alternative known as psilohuasca has emerged. This involves a combination of MAO inhibitors and legal psilocybin truffles or mushrooms, meaning it contains no DMT.

Safety and responsible use

If you choose to participate in a ceremony despite the legal risks, harm reduction is vital. Only do so in a safe, calm environment where you feel supported. It is also important to be physically and mentally fit.

Professional guidance is a must. Choose an organization that takes your questions seriously and conducts a medical check. They should also provide clear dietary guidelines. If no diet is prescribed, that is a significant red flag. Be wary of the term 'shaman'; anyone can use the title, but it does not guarantee safety or expertise.

Certain groups must strictly avoid Ayahuasca. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, stay away. This also applies to people with a history of psychosis or those taking antidepressants or antipsychotics.

Conclusion

Ayahuasca is an incredibly powerful brew from the Amazon, rooted in centuries of indigenous tradition. The combination of DMT and MAO inhibitors creates a deep psychedelic experience. While many seek spiritual growth or healing, the physical and mental demands on the body are significant.

While some benefit from the experience, the risks are substantial, especially for those on medication or those who are mentally vulnerable. Thorough information, strict prior screening, and expert facilitation are therefore essential for anyone considering this path.

---

Sources

This blog is based on reliable international sources and scientific insights from organizations including:

• Jellinek – Dutch expertise center for substance use and addiction.
• Wikipedia - Ayahuasca
• PubMed - Palhano-Fontes et al. (2018) Study

Tags

Anahuasca Ayahuasca DMT Shamaan Wat is ayahuasca

Leave a comment

Leave a comment

Name*

Email*

Comment*

Send