General considerations about Ayahuasca tea

The huasca, popularly known as ayahuasca, is used in religious rituals in the form of tea. This drink has substances with hallucinogenic properties capable of distorting and intensifying the senses, those who consume it feel their perceptions change in relation to the world and their own consciousness.

The physical and psychic effects that ayahuasca can cause in the body are drastic and its use needs to be controlled so that you do not cause irreversible damage to your health.

The potency of its effects requires caution and the recreational consumption of its substances should be avoided. Find out more about Ayahuasca and understand its effects and contraindications in the reading that follows.

Ayahuasca, origin of the word and what the tea is made of

Ayahuasca has become popular in Brazil through religions such as Santo Daime and União do Vegetal, which seek in the hallucinogenic properties of the tea a contact with their inner entity. The tea has become popular in Brazil and in the world, understand why this movement has happened, in the following.

What is Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a tea produced from different species of plants native to the Amazon. Its use is commonly conveyed with the goal of achieving spiritual healing in religious rituals and ceremonies.

In Brazil, for example, the application of rituals with ayahuasca tea became legal in 1987 and in 2020 there was a breakthrough in the Brazilian jurisdiction with the bill 179/20. In this bill it is recognized the use of the drink by religious entities as long as the practices are not done with the purpose of obtaining profit.

Although there are regulatory standards in relation to the use of ayahuasca, its use has been gradually configured for recreational purposes. Being noticed the trade of this substance on the Internet, which facilitates access to consumption by all.

The word Ayahuasca

The word ayahuasca is of indigenous origin, being part of the indigenous language families of South America, mainly from the Amazon region and the Andes. The meaning of this drink is the "wine of the dead", a term originated from the Quechua family.

Ayahuasca is thus defined by the joining of words, "Aya" meaning soul, or spirit of the dead, and "huasca" is known as vine, viper or creeper. It refers to the plant from which the liquid base containing the substances for making the tea is extracted.

This tea is produced from a mixture of the vine species known as Banisteriopsis (or the vine-mariri, yagé, jagube or caapi) and other plants such as the chacrona (Psychotria viridis) and the chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana).

What Ayahuasca tea is made of and how it is produced

The ayahuasca ritual is performed by some indigenous peoples and religions such as Santo Daime. It is produced from the infusion of the shrub-cacrona and the vine-mariri, in this process the hallucinogenic substances characteristic of this tea are released.

The production of this tea is performed from the decoction process, where the ingredients must be fractionated and boiled in water. By performing this process the active ingredient DTM (alkaloid dimethyltryptamine) is released into the solution that will become the tea.

This active ingredient only possesses the hallucinogenic effect when associated with another metabolizing substance known as the MAO enzyme (monoamino oxidase), which is released by the vine. This substance is responsible for breaking down the particles of DMT favoring the production of psychic effects in the human organism.

Its consumption is capable of altering the individual's state of consciousness, as well as causing physical effects such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, tachycardia, dizziness, etc. DMT reaches the brain, elevating the hormone levels of noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine, causing the well-known hallucinogenic effects of ayahuasca.

How Ayahuasca tea works

Ayahuasca tea has substances in its formula capable of acting directly on the central nervous system, thus causing effects such as euphoria and hallucinations. Many users believe that this drug is able to provide a mystical transcendental event. Understand how ayahuasca tea truly works, below!

The physical effects

The physical effects are diverse and their intensity will vary according to the amount ingested and the organism of each person. However, the physical symptoms will vary following the same rule, however there are symptoms that are more common to happen in relation to the use that are:

- Nausea;

- Vomiting;

- Dysentery;

- Cardiac arrhythmia;

- Sweating;

- Increased blood pressure;

- Intoxication;

- At more severe levels they can generate convulsions.

The psychological effects

It is worth remembering that the effects of ayahuasca can generate in the body a certain tolerance to DMT, if the person is a user of other psychoactive drugs this could soften the effects of this drug.

There are cases when the user may develop the following symptoms:

- Paranoia;

- Anxiety;

- Awe;

Also, the person needs to be prepared to relive the traumas of the past. Since DMT will act on your memories reliving your memories, which may scare you if you are not willing to face your past. Another point is the duration of the effects which can last for weeks.

Possible negative effects of Ayahuasca tea

The possible negative effects that may be caused by Ayahuasca tea are diverse, and it is even contraindicated for people who suffer from schizophrenia, for example.

Here is a list with the side effects most present in the use:

- Intoxication;

- Diarrhea;

- Nausea and vomiting;

- Tachycardia;

- Increased Pressure;

- Seizures;

- Hallucinations;

- Among others.

Therefore, it is important that people who have any kind of mental illness avoid using ayahuasca tea, since they are more likely to develop the symptoms and it may generate irreversible crises for their organism.

Intense convulsions, psychotic outbursts and in rare situations a coma may even result.

Is Ayahuasca a hallucinogen?

The hallucinogenic effects of ayahuasca are awakened by all who have consumed the substance, causing, in addition to hallucinations, mental confusion that can lead to visions and delirium for up to 10 hours after use.

What ayahuasca tea is good for and its benefits

Its use has become widespread throughout the world, however most confuse its spiritual application making it just a leisure object. It is important to be aware of its benefits, but also be aware of the risks that may be irreversible. Follow the reading and learn a little more about tea.

Improving mood and combating symptoms of depression

Research shows that Ayahuasca tea can improve mood and help combat the symptoms of depression, and is used to treat these symptoms. However, much research related to the therapeutic effects of Ayahuasca is still in its early stages, so caution should be exercised when using it without prior medical consultation.

Allows you to reach an advanced meditative state

There are people who use ayahuasca only for recreational purposes, however, there are also many users who advocate the use of its effects as a meditation tool, because it facilitates access to memories and sensitizes their perceptions of their thoughts and senses, broadening their consciousness.

These people seek to resignify their use as a way to interconnect their reflections to higher levels of mind, reaching a mental state of deep meditation. Due to its affecting characteristics it distorts their perception of reality.

The expansion of consciousness occurs for those who believe in the meditative effects of the drug. It all depends on what meaning you give to the use of this substance, for some it has a therapeutic use, while for others it is used as just any hallucinogenic drug.

Offers a curative contribution

There are reports that indicate a closeness to the divine or an encounter with the meaning of life. This is why there is so much mysticism involved around indigenous rituals and religious practices in relation to the use of ayahuasca tea.

Western medicine has a different take on this spiritual perspective, seeking to understand the effects of DMT on the brain in order to give it better clinical efficacy.

However, there are those who consider the experience of tea as a tool to reach a spiritual level capable of helping to combat the psychic disorders and traumas experienced by the individual.

The physio-immunological actions of ayahuasca tea

The physio-immunological actions of ayahuasca tea are presented in the considerable increase of "Natural Killers" cells. These are able to recognize infected cells or cells with a propensity to evolve into cancer and destroy them. It has been shown to be so effective in the production of these cells that a remission of cancer has already been perceived in some cases.

Another detail is in its ability to generate the genes responsible for the transport of serotonin in the body, altering the way the body transports these hormones and aiding in the body's immunomodulatory effects.

There are researches that have been observed a reduction in cardiovascular activation, others that indicate a greater tolerance to the GH hormone (responsible for growth) and in the increase of psychotropic effects.

The anti-microbiological and anti-parasitic actions

Ayahuasca tea has in its composition non-pathogenic fungi and bacteria capable of contributing to the body through its anti-microbial and anti-parasitic effects. They do not offer any health risk, there are only benefits to be derived from this exchange.

In them are present the alkaloids that will assist in fighting some infestations of your gastrointestinal system such as:

- Combat helminth parasites;

- Trypanosoma lewisi;

- Combats Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi);

- Fighting malaria (Plasmodium sp.);

- Treat leishmaniasis (Fighting Leishmania);

- o Toxoplasma gondii (etiologic agent of toxoplasmosis);

- Prophylactic action against amoebiasis and giardiasis;

There are also other reports of combating various types of viruses that have their research in progress.

Potential Uses of Ayahuasca to Measure

Depending on the frequency and the meaning attributed to the consumption of Ayahuasca tea, it may be harmful to your organism. Although there is research being carried out into treatments, little is known about the long-term effects of the use of DMT on the brain.

Read on to understand the potential uses of ayahuasca and discover the risks involved in its consumption.

Treatment of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome

By affecting the memories, the use of the tea allows you to relive your memories vividly in a way that generates a confrontation of the fears and traumas of the past. Therefore, you will be treating your post-traumatic stress syndrome at the source of the problem.

Addiction treatment

This is still a fact to be studied, because there is no data to prove the effectiveness of ayahuasca in the treatment of drug addicts. There is also data indicating that the consumption of ayahuasca tea offers risks to some users depending on their clinical picture this drug should be avoided.

Ayahuasca and anxiety

The treatment of ayahuasca and anxiety is one of the hottest fields of study at the moment. There is a lot of research taking place regarding the consumption of the tea and its effects against anxiety.

At the moment, there is information indicating an improvement in anxiety symptoms in relation to its therapeutic use. However, these studies are still in progress, so there is no data that effectively prove a healing process in this relationship.

Ayahuasca and Alzheimer's

There is research indicating that the substances in ayahuasca are able to act effectively against neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The results presented so far are promising because they demonstrate a regenerative effect on the neurological system.

However, the researches that are occurring are still in the early stages being tested only in rats. Therefore, these effects are not yet so divulged because there is still no concrete evidence of its effect on humans.

Ayahuasca and autism

The effects of ayahuasca on the brain are still being studied by scientists, and are applicable to several researches regarding some psychological disorders such as autism. There are reports showing that DMT is a potential substance for the treatment of autism, for example.

Is Ayahuasca tea addictive?

The fact that Ayahuasca tea causes a series of effects on perception and the release of hormones such as serotonin and dopamine, like several other psychoactive substances, shows that it is capable of causing addiction in people. Just as there are people addicted to various other drugs.

The problem in relation to the addiction of ayahuasca tea consumption is in the meaning to which its use is being attributed. Common sense indicates this drink as sacred, often arousing a false divinization in relation to its consumption.

Therefore, it is important to be careful about its use and be aware that the long-term effects of continuous use have not yet been discovered. This could cause irreversible damage to your body, or not.

What are the risks and dangers associated with drinking ayahuasca tea?

There is still much to be studied in relation to the consumption of ayahuasca tea, however, some signs have already been presented in relation to its use by people genetically prone to develop psychosis, schizophrenia, among other psychological disorders.

Its consumption should also be avoided by pregnant and lactating women, because its effects can generate a series of psychological distortions and directly affect the child's formation.

The long-term risks are still not clear, while in the original cultures its use was sporadic, today we face its consumption in a careless manner without awareness of the risks involved in its consumption.

Like any other psychoactive drug, it will also affect your body negatively depending on its use. One should not forget the risks and dangers that it can trigger in your life.