Pharmahuasca: human pharmacology of oral DMT plus harmine

J Psychoactive Drugs. 1999 Apr-Jun;31(2):171-7. doi: 10.1080/02791072.1999.10471741.

Abstract

A summary is presented of human self-experiments or psychonautic bioassays of pharmahuasca--capsules containing crystalline N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) plus harmine, as well as combinations of other psychoactive tryptamines with other beta-carbolines. The 1967 Holmstedt-Lindgren hypothesis of the ayahuasca effect--oral psychoactivity of DMT consequent to monoamine-oxidase (MAO) inhibition from simultaneous ingestion of beta-carbolines--has been confirmed by eight self-experimenters. Results of a total of some 70 bioassays are summarized and the literature on this subject is reviewed (with 66 references and one table).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Drug Combinations
  • Harmine / administration & dosage
  • Harmine / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / administration & dosage
  • N,N-Dimethyltryptamine / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Drug Combinations
  • Harmine
  • N,N-Dimethyltryptamine