Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids
- 20 December 2006
- Vol. 102 (1), 24-34
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01652.x
Abstract
To extend previous reviews by assessing the acute systemic toxicity and psychological hazards of a dimethyltryptamine and beta-carboline brew (ayahuasca/hoasca) used in religious ceremonies. A systematic literature search, supplemented by interviews with ceremony participants. No laboratory animal models were located that tested the acute toxicity or the abuse potential of ayahuasca. Separate animal studies of the median lethal dose of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and of several harmala alkaloids indicated that a lethal dose of these substances in humans is probably greater than 20 times the typical ceremonial dose. Adverse health effects may occur from casual use of ayahuasca, particularly when serotonergic substances are used in conjunction. DMT is capable of inducing aversive psychological reactions or transient psychotic episodes that resolve spontaneously in a few hours. There was no evidence that ayahuasca has substantial or persistent abuse potential. Long-term psychological benefits have been documented when ayahuasca is used in a well-established social context. A decoction of DMT and harmala alkaloids used in religious ceremonies has a safety margin comparable to codeine, mescaline or methadone. The dependence potential of oral DMT and the risk of sustained psychological disturbance are minimal.Keywords
This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- Various Alkaloid Profiles in Decoctions ofBanisteriopsis CaapiJournal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2005
- Phytochemical Analyses ofBanisteriopsis CaapiandPsychotria ViridisJournal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2005
- Caffeine ConsciousnessArchives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 2004
- Acute Toxic Effects of Club DrugsJournal of Psychoactive Drugs, 2004
- Comparison of acute lethal toxicity of commonly abused psychoactive substancesAddiction, 2004
- Subjective effects and tolerability of the South American psychoactive beverage Ayahuasca in healthy volunteersPsychopharmacology, 2001
- Pharmacokinetics of Hoasca alkaloids in healthy humansJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 1999
- Pharmahuasca: Human Pharmacology of Oral DMT Plus HarmineJournal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1999
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: Tryptamine and β-carboline constituents of AyahuascaJournal of Ethnopharmacology, 1984
- “Ayahuasca,” the South American hallucinogenic drink: An ethnobotanical and chemical investigationEconomic Botany, 1972