Does Ayahuasca Have Health Benefits

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Does Ayahuasca Offer Any Health Benefits?

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The health and wellness industry is worth more than 4 billion dollars globally, and this has a lot of people curious about ayahuasca. This industry will continue to grow over the next few years, and with the rise in CBD popularity, it makes sense that more and more consumers are interested in natural alternatives. But natural doesn’t always mean safe, and it doesn’t always mean effective. When it comes to treating debilitating disorders like PTSD, mind-altering substances are being touted in some circles as viable alternatives to medicines and therapy. Ayahuasca is one such mind-altering substance and has been used in herbal medicine in South America for years. But is it safe, and does it offer any health benefits? Here’s what we know about ayahuasca as a medical treatment option.

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What is ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew made from the leaves of a shrub, and the stalks of a vine native to the Amazon region of South America. In this tea, the leaves of the Psychotria Viridis shrub and stems of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine are processed to make a drink called ayahuasca, and a few other plants and ingredients are added as well. In native herbal medicine, ayahuasca has been used for centuries as a part of elaborate spiritual and religious ceremonies. Many native Amazonian tribes and communities believe the drink is sacred and still use it in ceremonies today.

Traditional practices would call for a shaman or an experienced healer to lead ceremonies that use ayahuasca. The shaman typically prepares the brew, cleaning and smashing the psychoactive plants, and then boiling them to release substances that create a mind-altering “trip.” The mixture is boiled down and strained to remove any impurities until the ceremony participants have a highly-concentrated liquid to consume for spiritual and religious purposes.

How does ayahuasca impact the brain and body?

The active ingredients in ayahuasca possess hallucinogenic properties that include a substance called DMT, also known as the “spirit molecule.” This substance is known to cause intense hallucinations and out-of-body experiences in users. Some researchers believe that the human body can naturally produce DMT, but research into this area is ongoing.

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When someone takes DMT, the compound is quickly broken down in the liver and gastrointestinal tract by enzymes called MAOs. Because DMT breaks down so fast, it must be combined with an MAO inhibitor to allow the substance to take full effect. Other ingredients in ayahuasca act as potent MAO inhibitors, and they also produce their own hallucinogenic effects. Combining these two powerful ingredients causes a profound impact on the central nervous system, and leads to an altered state of consciousness that can also induce a feeling of euphoria, or high.

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How do people take ayahuasca?

Although ayahuasca has been used for hundreds of years by the native people of the Amazon, it is only in recent years that foreigners and travelers have become aware of the substance and have sought to use it. People who want to heal from past trauma, open their minds, or experience a powerful hallucination have been known to travel to the Amazon region in search of ayahuasca. Travelers are often led in a ceremony by an experienced shaman who makes and administers the brew.

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Does ayahuasca have any health benefits?

Some preliminary research has uncovered that ayahuasca may offer a few health benefits. However, the data is not entirely conclusive at this time. Ayahuasca is not FDA-approved as a viable alternative to conventional medical treatment.

In studies conducted on the main ingredients in ayahuasca, researchers have found that these chemical compounds may offer neuroprotective and neurorestorative qualities. For example, DMT activates a protein in the brain that prevents neurodegeneration and also regulates the brain’s use of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to protect brain cells from damage and decay. Ayahuasca’s ingredients may also offer anti-inflammatory protection for brain cells and have also been found to improve memory in animal studies. It’s also possible for the ingredients in ayahuasca to promote nerve cell growth and survival.

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Is ayahuasca an alternative treatment option for PTSD?

Up to 8% of the U.S. population will deal with PTSD at some point in their lives. The condition is severe and debilitating, and can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. PTSD is associated with panic attacks, anxiety, agoraphobia, and an increased risk of substance abuse. Fortunately, PTSD is a treatable condition. Most people can recover from PTSD with a combination of therapy and medication. But, understandably, people who suffer from a disorder of this magnitude would try any alternative remedy to alleviate their symptoms. While there have been a few studies on hallucinogenic drugs and their impact on PTSD, the FDA has not approved ayahuasca as a viable treatment option for the disorder.

What are the side effects of ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca can cause serious side effects. The substance has been known to interact severely with prescription medications, including psychiatric drugs and antidepressants. People taking cough medicine, weight loss medicines, and medicines for Parkinson’s can also experience severe side effects if they consume ayahuasca. People with a history of psychiatric disorders schizophrenia and manic depression should also avoid hallucinogenic drugs like ayahuasca. The substance is also known to increase heart rate and blood pressure and should be avoided in people who have a known cardiac condition.

Is ayahuasca similar to CBD?

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CBD is a legal supplement manufactured and sold in the U.S. Ayahuasca, on the other hand, is a traditional brew made during shamanistic rituals in the Amazon region of South America. Ayahuasca is also made out of several active chemical compounds and consumed in a liquid form and can cause a range of significant physical and mental effects. CBD will not cause hallucinations or mental impairment, and the side effects are rarely severe. However, consumers who want to try CBD should talk to their doctor before using a CBD product.

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Last updated September 20 2019

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