Ayahuasca

Published on 2 décembre 2025 at 3:00

Synonyms	The main synonyms are as follows: Caapi, daime, yagé.
Classification	Hallucinogen: Substance that alters the sensory perceptions of the person who consumes it. Hallucinations affecting most of the senses can occur, leading the user to see, hear, or feel things that don't exist.
Mechanism of action	Acts on the central nervous system by affecting certain neurotransmitters, notably serotonin, often referred to as the happiness hormone.
Routes of administration	Traditionally, ayahuasca is consumed in the form of a brownish beverage made from the infusion of two plants.

Effects sought out by the user

This infusion can be part of various spiritual or religious ceremonies, especially in the Amazon rainforest. Ayahuasca is also used by some people who associate it with purification or healing of illnesses such as depression or drug addiction.

Each person's experience varies according to their environment, dose, and baseline. Since ayahuasca is taken as an infusion, doses may vary depending on the preparation. The effects can be difficult to predict from one experience to the next.

The effects of ayahuasca are similar to those of LSD. The main effects sought are as follows:

Purgative effect (vomiting and diarrhea), often associated with a form of purification
Hallucinations
Euphoria (feeling of well-being)

The impression of better understanding the world
The impression that the user's soul has left their body
Self-discovery

Common adverse effects

Nausea
Increased heart rate
Increased blood pressure

Increased body temperature
Fear or anxiety
Confusion

Overdose effects

Convulsions
Psychosis (temporary loss of contact with reality)
Agitation or panic

Paranoia
Chest pain
Risk-taking

Tolerance (need to increase the dose to feel the same effect)

Generally speaking, ayahuasca is not used regularly or repeatedly. The risk of developing tolerance is therefore low.

Addiction

No.

Withdrawal

No.

Onset and duration of action
Route of administration	Onset of action	Duration of action
Oral	15 to 60 minutes	4 to 6 hours

Intoxication management

No antidote available.
Treatment is mainly symptomatic.

Other useful information

Sometimes, the places where ayahuasca is used suggest a special diet to be followed in the days leading up to the event. Some centres will also suggest stopping all medications, as some can interact with ayahuasca and cause adverse effects. However, stopping medications taken on a regular basis can be very dangerous, depending on the reason for which they were prescribed.

Many different street drugs are sold under the same name. Furthermore, nothing guarantees the quantity, purity or even the content of a street drug in spite of the fact that it may, in some cases, look like medication.

For more information, please contact your health care provider.

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