MDMA THERAPY NETHERLANDS

DMT, psilocybin and MAOIs

We regularly get questions about what is the best psychedelic ceremony for depression, addictions, anxiety symptoms or for a spiritual journey. Is ayahuasca better suited than a truffle ceremony and what is that psilohuasca or psiloflora? We are going to explain the different in this blog. The similarities between the different ceremonies is the use of psychedelics of the class tryptamines in combination with or without MAOIs. For example, ayahuasca contains the tryptamine DMT + the MAOi Banisteriopsis Caapi (MAO inhibitor) and in truffle ceremonies no MAOi are used because with truffles it is not necessary, but it is possible. Herewith a handy overview of the ingredients used.

MAOIs are needed with ayahuasca

In both ayahuasca, psilohuasca and psiloflora, MAOi are used. In ayahusca and psilohuasca, Banisteriopsis Caapi is usually used and this is a strong MAO inhibitor. MAOIs take care of turning off the MAO enzyme. Neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine are broken down by the enzyme MonoAmino-Oxidase. Psychedelic tryptamines are also broken down by MAO enzymes. If there is an MAOi Banisteriopsis Caapi then the enzyme MAO no longer works and the tryptamines and neurotransnitters present remain active longer. Especially with ayahuasca, the MAOi is needed since DMT is broken down very quickly and therefore it is not active orally. Psilocybin from truffles is broken down much more slowly by MAO and therefore a MAOi is not necessary. If an MAOi is used with truffles, the trip can be prolonged and less of the truffles or magic mushrooms is needed.

MAOIs pose additional risks

The use of MAOIs turn off regulatory enzymes. Unfortunately, besides the benefits of a longer psychedelic session, it also has some drawbacks and potential dangers. For example, MAO also breaks down tyramine, a monoamine that can increase in levels when using MAOi and raise blood pressure such that it becomes a danger. To reduce the danger of tyramine, a strict diet is required. Other disadvantages of using the Banisteriopsis Caapi as an MAOI is that it can also increase dopamine and other neurotransmitters, whereas in psychedelic trips it is increasingly only the serotonergic receptors that need to be stimulated. Furthermore, there are adverse drug interactions and Banisteriopsis Caapi produces a very high degree of physical discomfort during the first two hours of the ceremony.

Read more about psilohuasca or ayahuasca diet here

Truffles are safer

The safest psychedelic and perhaps drug in itself is the magic truffle. This magic truffle has been increasingly combined with the MAOi of ayahuasca, the Banisteriopsis Caapi, which we call psilohuasca, since the illegality of DMT and ayahuasca was confirmed. This combination is fairly new and has not yet been well researched. There are also additional risks associated with the use of the strong MAOi Banisteriopsis Caapi, while it is not necessary to add a strong MAOi to the psilocybin of truffles. Psilocybin is in fact orally active. It is safer to take a higher dose of truffles than a lower dose in combination with an MAOi such as Banisteriopsis Caapi. So if you want a longer and deeper trip then increasing the dose is better than adding the Banisteriopsis Caapi.

Psiloflora as an alternative

In psiloflora, the psilocybin containing truffle is combined with the passiflora incarnata (passion flower). The reason why adding the passionflower to the truffles is that this mix adds some nice properties to the psychedelic truffles without increasing too much the risks of complications as with strong MAO inhibitors (ayahuasca, psilohuasca etc.).

The combination of the psilocybin and Passiflora incarnata gives the following benefits:

• Calming effect
• Deeper trip (triple sheet 5)
• Longer trip (up to 8 hours)
• Bright trip
• More visual trip

Other than the ameliorating effects of a psychedelic trip, Passiflora incarnata is also sometimes used without psychedelics against ADHD, nervousness, nervous heart problems, Parkinson's disease, seizures, muscle spasms, hysteria, hypertension, PMS, epilepsy, skin conditions, hemorrhoids, burns, asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis, infections and as a painkiller for many ailments. Also in problems associated with menopause. Also, it is used as a remedy to reduce the effects of alcoholism, to facilitate the cessation of drinking and is also used for delirium tremens.

Read here more about Passiflora incarnata

So what is the best choice now

Every ceremony is different and what is best depends on personal preference. For trip therapy the truffle ceremony is preferred and if you want a safe taste of an MAOi inhibitor while using psychedelics the psiloflora is in our opinion the best choice. Our advice here is a consideration between the effects and the low risks. So in the end it's all about safety and results.

Who is it suitable for?

Because of the prolonged duration of the psychedelic effects at the psiloflora ceremony it is advisable to already have some experience with psychedelics. If you have no experience with psychedelics you can still participate but then it is advised to take less of the psilocybin tea and if desired to take a second psilocybin tea one hour after intake. If anxiety is a major factor then it is advisable to start with a low dose or medium dose truffle ceremony. How eravaren someone is with psychedelics naturally plays a role in choosing a ceremony.

Please see below our advice for suitability to participate in truffle and/or psiloflora ceremonies.

Want to know more?

Want to know more about the terms or ceremonies used? Then use the links below to read more about the topics.

MAO inhibitor |Tyramine | Ayahuasca | Psilohuasca | DMT | Psilocybin | Psilocin | Psiloflora