Botany: Tropical liana of the family Malpighiaceae, native to the amazon basin. While possible to cultivate in heated spaces outside of the tropics, Ayahuasca cultivation is primarily limited to the Amazon basin and Hawaii. History: Ayahuasca has been in use in the amazon for at least 1000 years, but it is unclear how far back it dates. Ayahuasca is a integral part of several extremely complex systems of indigenous plant medicine systems as well as mestizo vegitalismo. At the base of Ayahuasca tradition is the basic of potion of pounded Banisteriopsis caapi vines mixed with a DMT containing plant, most commonly Psychotria viridis (chacruna), this combination sends the drinker into psychedelic trance similar to Peyote or psilocybin mushrooms. Ayahuasca is typically drunk in ceremonies that involve traditional healing songs called icaros. While Ayahuasca is a treatment itself, it is also used as a way to contact the spirit of Ayahuasca and other medicinal plants, which may lead to other plants being prescribed, these plants may be added to the Ayahuasca brew or taken separately. There are over 1,000 species of plants that have been documented as being used in Ayahuasca. Another common element of these systems is the dieta or diet, A period of restricted diet and intentional plant medicine use designed to heal a problem or increase the knowledge of a ayahuascero. The extensive knowledge of the ayahuascero is partially learned from their teacher, but is largely derived (at least according to them) from encounters with plant spirits during ayahuasca ceremonies and dietas. Through syncretic churches like the Santo Daime and traveling ayahuasceros, ayahuasca use has spread around the globe. Ayahuasca tourism has also boomed in recent years, especially in Peru. While this has brought a certain kind of healing to many people that wouldn't other wise be available, it also has aspects of commodification and cultural appropriation that are profoundly negative. Chemistry: the chemical effects of ayahuasca mainly come from DMT (N,N-Dimethyltryptamine). DMT is produced by the human body (and other mammals), but it has yet to be discovered what endogenous DMT does in the human body, if anything. DMT is not normally orally active as it is denatured by the enzyme MAO, however Harmala alkaloids in Banisteriopsis caapi inhibit this enzyme and allow the DMT to pass into the blood where is remains active for a few hours, causing a intense visionary state. Other chemicals in the Banisteriopsis caapi are generally considered to cause the famous nauseating and emetic qualities of the brew. Both DMT and Harmaline alkaloids can be found in other plants, Jonathan Ott has a whole book of Ayahuasca analogs for people who would like to use this amazing synergy of herbal chemicals using locally produced plants, this also mitigates or removes many of issues of cultural appropriation and commodification. Because of the MAOI effect and the potential for Ayahuasca to be a complex brew of plant chemicals, interactions with pharmaceuticals are of great concern, if you are taking any pharmaceuticals be sure to consult with a healthcare provider before considering using Ayahuasca. It is generally considered inadvisable to use Ayahuasca outside a ceremonial or therapeutic context. Scientific Research: Several studies have shown that Ayahuasca used in a ceremonial context is physically and psychologically safe. Research on what conditions can be healed is ongoing, but preliminary evidence exists for many conditions including: Substance use disorder and alcohol dependence, Treatment- resistant depression, Recurrent depression, and Grief. For more information: https://www.iceers.org/ayahuasca-basic-info/.