Aa
ayahuasca, help or harm?
Have you heard of ayahuasca? I did not know much about it until recently. I am currently in Ecuador where I learned that Ayahuasca is a medicine that has been used in the Amazon for centuries. Since being here I have heard many incredible stories of ayahuasca curing all kinds of problems including anxiety and depression (I have both). Also, I have restless leg syndrome.
I am very hopeful that it could possibly help me, but I am also terrified that it could make me worse.
Although Ayahuasca is natural, it has similiarities to LSD (contains DMT). This fact terrifies me because I have often wondered if the one time I tried LSD years ago could have triggered my mental problems. How can ayahuasca cure depression and LSD possibly cause it?
At this point I do not know if I am going to try it. I am researching it as much as possible. I do know that if I try it I have to get the Cymbalta out of my system first....
If you know anything about ayahuasca: it´s benefits, dangers, similiarities or dissimiliarities to LSD, etc.... i would greatly appreciate any advice you have.
Thanks
kj
I am very hopeful that it could possibly help me, but I am also terrified that it could make me worse.
Although Ayahuasca is natural, it has similiarities to LSD (contains DMT). This fact terrifies me because I have often wondered if the one time I tried LSD years ago could have triggered my mental problems. How can ayahuasca cure depression and LSD possibly cause it?
At this point I do not know if I am going to try it. I am researching it as much as possible. I do know that if I try it I have to get the Cymbalta out of my system first....
If you know anything about ayahuasca: it´s benefits, dangers, similiarities or dissimiliarities to LSD, etc.... i would greatly appreciate any advice you have.
Thanks
kj
Hello!
It's a difficult decision isn't it? There is one possible source of info that i can think of...
There's an organization named the "Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies", they have a website, and there is a "Volunteers Wanted", link on that website that MIGHT put you in contact with a clinical research experiment. I have been in contact (once) with this researcher asking for Depression/Ayahuasca volunteers, but I'm a bit leery about committing myself to an Ayahuasca/Depression Study. From what little i know, this uh, mode of experimental therapy, (for lack of a better expression), takes more than a few times, and it ain't an easy experience.
Dr. Benny Shannon Ph.d. and Dr. Charles Grob M.D. believe that there might be some therapeutic value in Ayahuasca, but the experiments were carefully controlled. One researcher, (a Dr. Callaway), experimented on himself, and found that the following occured: "Dr. Callaway took SPECT scans of his own brain 5-HT uptake receptors prior to beginning a six week course of daily dosing with tetrahydroharmine, repeating the scan after the treatment period. He did indeed find that the density of central 5-HT receptors in the prefrontal cortex had increased; when he discontinued THH, their density gradually returned to previous levels over the course of several weeks." Dr. Rick Strassman, (Psy.D.), has written about Ayahuasca as well, and has written a book entitled "DMT, The Spirit Molecule" and thinks that Ayahuasca is of great psycho therapeutic use.
---Good Luck---
It's a difficult decision isn't it? There is one possible source of info that i can think of...
There's an organization named the "Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies", they have a website, and there is a "Volunteers Wanted", link on that website that MIGHT put you in contact with a clinical research experiment. I have been in contact (once) with this researcher asking for Depression/Ayahuasca volunteers, but I'm a bit leery about committing myself to an Ayahuasca/Depression Study. From what little i know, this uh, mode of experimental therapy, (for lack of a better expression), takes more than a few times, and it ain't an easy experience.
Dr. Benny Shannon Ph.d. and Dr. Charles Grob M.D. believe that there might be some therapeutic value in Ayahuasca, but the experiments were carefully controlled. One researcher, (a Dr. Callaway), experimented on himself, and found that the following occured: "Dr. Callaway took SPECT scans of his own brain 5-HT uptake receptors prior to beginning a six week course of daily dosing with tetrahydroharmine, repeating the scan after the treatment period. He did indeed find that the density of central 5-HT receptors in the prefrontal cortex had increased; when he discontinued THH, their density gradually returned to previous levels over the course of several weeks." Dr. Rick Strassman, (Psy.D.), has written about Ayahuasca as well, and has written a book entitled "DMT, The Spirit Molecule" and thinks that Ayahuasca is of great psycho therapeutic use.
---Good Luck---
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The comment below sounds like the best advice you can get from someone who knows something about this drug...you would be taking an enormous risk in the hopes of a magical cure that won't h appen...
Ayahuasca is useful against depression, but should not be taken with pharmaceutical anti-depressants. I have more than a hundred experiences drinking the tea under shamanic supervision and have not had any problems and feel better every time.
I've drunk this "tea" once before, so i do have a little bit of experience with it. Although I didn't have visions of "machine elves" or aliens, i did have some of the classical hallucinations (visions). ( By the way, different people have different visions (hallucinations), sometimes of elves, sometimes of archetypal figures, talking animals, spirits, etc.).
I did stop drinking alcohol for months after this experience, so it might be true that Aya. helps alcoholics, and I also did feel some lightening of my depression,so it might be true about the antidepressive effects, but the Aya. experience was distressing to me. It was too powerful for me alone, i should have had experienced helpers. If you're determined to experience this, then i won't try to stop you; that might be hypocritical of me. But, having said that, let me proceed.
First: Don't try pure DMT, the experience will be much more difficult. Second: You're on meds which can react with the MAOI in Aya.. Third: you will not have any control over the experience once you've drunk the admixture, and that MIGHT cause extreme anxiety while you're having visions; you'll need sitters and a pleasant setting. Fourth: most people vomit large amounts and some have diarrhea too while under the influence of Aya. Fifth: Do you have any medical conditions such as high blood pressure?
I have been diagnosed years ago, with depression and anxiety disorders, and have been prescribed the usual meds in the past, so maybe we have a great deal in common here, having said that, kjmeow, i would suggest that you not do this at this time. Another reason not to do this is that you might have to slowly wean yourself off of the meds, before trying Aya. That's not a good idea without a doctor overseeing it. Is there a psychiatrist where you are who can advise you? Unless you can cobble together psych. help and medical advice, i'd hold off. ---dharmabum59
I did stop drinking alcohol for months after this experience, so it might be true that Aya. helps alcoholics, and I also did feel some lightening of my depression,so it might be true about the antidepressive effects, but the Aya. experience was distressing to me. It was too powerful for me alone, i should have had experienced helpers. If you're determined to experience this, then i won't try to stop you; that might be hypocritical of me. But, having said that, let me proceed.
First: Don't try pure DMT, the experience will be much more difficult. Second: You're on meds which can react with the MAOI in Aya.. Third: you will not have any control over the experience once you've drunk the admixture, and that MIGHT cause extreme anxiety while you're having visions; you'll need sitters and a pleasant setting. Fourth: most people vomit large amounts and some have diarrhea too while under the influence of Aya. Fifth: Do you have any medical conditions such as high blood pressure?
I have been diagnosed years ago, with depression and anxiety disorders, and have been prescribed the usual meds in the past, so maybe we have a great deal in common here, having said that, kjmeow, i would suggest that you not do this at this time. Another reason not to do this is that you might have to slowly wean yourself off of the meds, before trying Aya. That's not a good idea without a doctor overseeing it. Is there a psychiatrist where you are who can advise you? Unless you can cobble together psych. help and medical advice, i'd hold off. ---dharmabum59
Youre welcome. The machine elves are reported by many who take the drug.
They give you incredible insight into the universe and give you untold knowledge. Then the trip ends and you don't know what they said. I just don't see a reason to do it. For depression and anxiety just an SSRI and fish oil would be much, much appropriate.
Good luck. This is just purely personal opinion but I also believe it opens the doors to the wrong side of the spirit world.
PEACE!
They give you incredible insight into the universe and give you untold knowledge. Then the trip ends and you don't know what they said. I just don't see a reason to do it. For depression and anxiety just an SSRI and fish oil would be much, much appropriate.
Good luck. This is just purely personal opinion but I also believe it opens the doors to the wrong side of the spirit world.
PEACE!
Hello! Well, I still have not decided if I am going to do it. If I do it, it will be with a reputable shaman who has A LOT of experience with ayahuasca. I would definitely not try pure DMT.
I am not afraid of vomiting, diarrhea, or even having disturbing visions while under the influence of ayahuasca. The only thing I am afraid of is long term side effects, or it somehow making my depression or anxiety worse.
In case I do try it, I have been very slowly weaning myself off Cymbalta. I was already on the lowest dose. I took have off that dose for a month, and I have been taking 1/3 dose for about a week now. I know it is not the smartest thing to do without the help of a doctor, but there are not psychiatrists on every street corner in Ecuador :) If I start to have difficulties I will go back to my full dose. If I do try ayahuasca, I plan to be anti-depressant free for one month prior.
Well, thanks again for your advice. I appreciate all the opinions I can get.
Thanks
kjmeow
I am not afraid of vomiting, diarrhea, or even having disturbing visions while under the influence of ayahuasca. The only thing I am afraid of is long term side effects, or it somehow making my depression or anxiety worse.
In case I do try it, I have been very slowly weaning myself off Cymbalta. I was already on the lowest dose. I took have off that dose for a month, and I have been taking 1/3 dose for about a week now. I know it is not the smartest thing to do without the help of a doctor, but there are not psychiatrists on every street corner in Ecuador :) If I start to have difficulties I will go back to my full dose. If I do try ayahuasca, I plan to be anti-depressant free for one month prior.
Well, thanks again for your advice. I appreciate all the opinions I can get.
Thanks
kjmeow
Thanks again! It is not that I do not believe what you are saying. I am just trying to talk to as many people as possible about it. A medhelp doctor responded and agreed with your advice...... Also, I recently contacted a psychiatrist at UCLA that has a lot of experience with ayahuasca and he has wrote many papers on the subject. I am really hoping that he responds to me. Well, at the moment I am leaning towards not trying ayahuasca, but I am still researching it. Well, thanks again for your comments!
kj
kj
Definitely avoid if you have depression OR anxiety. Sorry already answered this once but its true haha. It is a shorter trip than LSD but more intense. Pure DMT literally displaces you to a world where you encounter "self transforming machine elves".
the song "rosetta stoned" is about the singer taking DMT and ending up back in the hospital freaking out. having to be strapped down and out of his mind.
Be careful and avoid imo.
the song "rosetta stoned" is about the singer taking DMT and ending up back in the hospital freaking out. having to be strapped down and out of his mind.
Be careful and avoid imo.
You are reading content posted in the Depression/Mental Health Forum
15 signs that it’s more than just the blues
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Simple, drug-free tips to banish the blues.
A guide to 10 common phobias.
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
For many, mental health care is prohibitively expensive. Dr. Rebecca Resnik provides a guide on how to find free or reduced-fee treatment in your area
