Ayahuasca

How is ayahuasca used?

Ayahuasca is drunk as a liquid.

Effects of ayahuasca

Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Ayahuasca affects everyone differently, based on:

• size, weight and health
• whether the person is used to taking it
• whether other drugs are taken around the same time
• whether the person has a mental health condition
• the amount taken
• the strength of the brew (varies from batch to batch)
• the combination of the plant materials used in the brew
• the environment where ayahuasca is taken (e.g. traditional, non-traditional, non-supervised).

The effects of ayahuasca can begin around 15-20 minutes after ingestion and can last between 4 to 6 hours. Effects may include:

• nausea
• vomiting and diarrhoea*
• increased blood pressure and heart rate
• increased body temperature
• feelings of euphoria
• feelings of connection and unity
• introspection
• intense visual and auditory hallucinations
• experiencing powerful emotions
• anxiety, panic and fear.^2,4,5

*When ayahuasca is taken in a traditional or ritual setting, these effects may be perceived as cleansing or purging and a part of the spiritual or healing journey.²

Impact of mood and environment

Ayahuasca can have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they are in (the ‘setting’):

• Set: a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychoactive drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen.⁶ For example, feelings of anxiety or fear before using ayahuasca can be magnified and result in an unpleasant experience.
• Setting: the environment in which someone consumes ayahuasca – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light.⁶ For example, using ayahuasca in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment can lead to a please experience, but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.

Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking ayahuasca reduces the risk of having a ‘bad’ trip.

Bad trips

Some people may have negative experiences when taking psychedelics, or experiences they find challenging.** During a bad trip, you may experience frightening or confronting hallucinations, and feelings of anxiety, confusion, fear and paanoia.^1,2

Taking a large dose of psychedelics is the most common cause of a bad trip, but other factors like age, sex, mental state, and past experiences with the drug can also contribute.^1,7

While a bad trip can feel frightening, it is generally not life-threatening, and the effects will go away as the drug wears off.^1,7

**These experiences may be understood or interpreted differently in a traditional or ritual context, where they may be seen as lessons and part of a spiritual or healing journey rather than wholly negative.²

Overdose

If you take a large amount or have a strong batch, you could overdose.

Although no deaths have been reported from ayahuasca poisoning, people have died after using ayahuasca. These deaths were mostly due to suicide, mixing ayahuasca with other drugs, and drowning.⁸

Call triple zero (000) and request an ambulance if you or someone else has any of the following symptoms (emergency services are there to help and can provide instructions over the phone):

• intense agitation or panic
• paranoia
• increased risk taking
• seizure
• chest pain
• psychosis.^3,11

Come down

Unlike other drugs, psychedelics usually don't cause a come down. However, after taking ayahuasca, you might feel tired or have muscle and body aches because of the intense experience.5

Long-term effects

Ayahuasca does not appear to have a negative impact on the body.2 Existing research indicates that long-term use of ayahuasca is not associated with a loss of cognitive functioning or negative mental health outcomes.^4,9-12

Flashbacks

The most common long-term effect of psychedelic use is the ‘flashback’. Flashbacks are a re-experience of the drug, usually as a visual distortion. It can occur days, weeks, months or even years later.

Flashbacks can be brought on by stress, tiredness, exercise or using other drugs. The flashback experience can range from being pleasant to causing severe feelings of anxiety. They usually last for a minute or two.¹³

Ayahuasca and Mental Health

Using ayahuasca can trigger or worsen mental health conditions such as anxiety, schizophrenia or psychosis. Anyone with a history of these issues should avoid using ayahuasca.¹⁴

While research is limited, some studies suggest that if used in the correct setting with the correct guidance, ayahuasca may help some people as an alternative treatment for some psychological disorders.¹⁵

Tolerance and dependence

In traditional ritualistic or therapeutic settings, ayahuasca is not typically consumed frequently or repeatedly, which means tolerance to its effects is uncommon.

However, like other psychedelics, consecutive use of ayahuasca can lead to rapid tolerance, resulting in reduced effects. This tolerance usually resets after a short break of about three to four days.

Because of this rapid tolerance, frequent use of ayahuasca is highly unlikely to cause dependence.¹⁶

Mixing ayahuasca with other drugs

The effects of taking ayahuasca with other drugs − including over the counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and may increase the risk of harm.

• Ayahuasca and Tramadol: Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold, which increases the risk of seizures when using psychedelics.
• Ayahuasca and Antidepressants: Due to the presence of MAOIs in ayahuasca, combining it with drugs that contain selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can be dangerous.
• Ayahuasca and MDMA/Amphetamines: When combined with MAOIs in ayahuasca, the potency and duration of phenethylamines in MDMA can increase unpredictably.

Ayahuasca and Alcohol: Tyramine, present in many alcoholic beverages, can dangerously interact with MAOIs in ayahuasca, leading to an increase in blood pressure.

• Ayahuasca and Cannabis: This combination can lead to unpredictable and negative effects, and in rare cases, psychosis.
• Ayahuasca and Cocaine: This combination may increase anxiety levels which can lead to negative experiences.
• Ayahuasca and Opioids: Combining MAOIs in ayahuasca with certain opioids has been associated with rare reports of severe and fatal adverse reactions.^17,18

Using more than one drug or type of drug at the same time is called polydrug use.¹⁹

Reducing Harm

There are ways in which you can reduce the risk of harm when using ayahuasca:

• It is difficult to predict the strength and effects of ayahuasca. The ayahuasca brew may contain other plant material and chemicals that may result in other unexpected effects.
• People with mental health conditions or a family history of these conditions should avoid using ayahuasca.
• Taking ayahuasca in a safe environment and with people you trust may alleviate unpleasant emotional effects.
• It's advisable to have a sober friend or an experienced person present, particularly if it's your first time using ayahuasca.
• If using in a retreat setting, ensure you're informed about the screening processes, preparation of the ayahuasca brew, emergency protocols, proximity to medical care and supervision arrangements. Also, discuss any pre-existing conditions or medications with the retreat supervisor/physician.

Withdrawal

There are no known physical withdrawal symptoms of ayahuasca.²⁰

Getting Help

If your use of ayahuasca is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.

• Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs
• Use the Path2Help portal to get matched with information and services specific to your needs
• Search the ADF Help and Support database directly to find your preferred support by adding your location or postcode and filtering by service type.

If you’re looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au