The Peruvian use of ayahuasca is one of the cultural legacies kept by the local Jungle communities, various peoples of the Amazon have used this concoction for centuries with different purposes, and for centuries the different indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest have protected the knowledge of the medicinal use of jungle plants. Ayahuasca is one of many medicinal plants used in the jungle, it has called the Doctor, the Grandmother, the Mother, etc because it says it has it is own concious that guide to people during the spiritual journey.
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive tea that originates from the Amazon region. Psychoactive substances affect the brain and cause people to experience changes in their mood, thinking, and behavior. Traditional shamans in Peru use the tea for its reported healing properties.
In recent years, research has highlighted several potential health benefits of ayahuasca. As a result, interest in this substance has been increasing in Western countries. However, much remains unknown.
Keep reading to learn more about the history of ayahuasca and its potential benefits, as well as the risks and side effects of this powerful brew.
WHAT IS IT?
The Banisteriopsis caapi vine as it is know for the researchs or “ayahuasca” originates from the Quechua language, where aya means soul or ancestors, and wasca (huasca) means vine or rope. Most people translate this as “vine of the soul.” Or the “Vine of the death” because one will feel that is dying during the spiritual journey but it is just the death of the things we do not need in our daily life.
The brew has been popular in regions of the Amazon for millennia, for both medical and spiritual reasons. It induces trusted Source an “introspective dream-like experience” that includes visions and memories.
WHAT IT CONTAINS?
The Tea contains 2 plants the perfect combination for a Spiritual Journey the AYAHUASCA and the CHAKRUNA, the plant ingredients in ayahuasca tea have hallucinogenic properties. The leaves of the P. viridis plant (CHAKRUNA ) contain N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), which is a strong psychedelic compound. The B. caapi vine ( AYAHUASCA) contains MAO inhibitors (MAOIs) called beta-carbolines. MAOIs stop the body from breaking down DMT, which allows the psychedelic effects to materialize.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH PROPERTIES IF I DECIDE TO DO THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY?
According to the last researchs it has several potential health benefits, especially for brain health, emotional well-being and spiritual growth. However, more studies are necessary to confirm these findings.
BRAIN HEALTH, Both DMT and beta-carbolines, the main psychoactive ingredients in ayahuasca, may protect and restore parts of the brain. ResearchTrusted Source indicates that ingesting DMT can lead to a higher production of antistress and antioxidant proteins.
The findings of a 2017 studyTrusted Source in mice suggest that harmine, the primary beta-carboline in ayahuasca, may have neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing effects because it reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. However, there is a need for studies to confirm these results in humans.
This research also links harmine with increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that aids the survival of nerve cells, or neurons, and plays a role in maintaining connections between them.
Laboratory researchTrusted Source reports that harmine and other substances in B. caapi stimulate adult neurogenesis, the generation of neurons.
MINDFULNESS According to some studies, ayahuasca may increase a person’s ability to be in a mindful state. A small studyTrusted Source demonstrated that taking ayahuasca once a week for 4 weeks proved as effective as an 8 week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course, in terms of increasing a person’s “acceptance.”
In this case, acceptance refers to nonjudgmental attitudes and behaviors, which the researchers measured using a “mindfulness score.” However, the researchers advise that more studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to confirm these findings. Other studiesTrusted Source also support the use of ayahuasca to improve mindfulness.
ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECTS a 2018 study trusted Source that involved people who took part in ayahuasca ceremonies found that ratings of depression and stress significantly decreased following the ceremony.
These lower levels of depression persisted for 4 weeks after the ceremony. Other research trusted Source supports this evidence, suggesting that a single dose of ayahuasca may produce a rapid antidepressant effect in people with treatment-resistant depression. This antidepressant effect persists for several weeks.
TO TREAT ANXIETY Ayahuasca may also help treat anxiety and mood disorders, according to a reviewTrusted Source of six studies.
Ayahuasca improve the regulation of mood and emotions, and it could also reduce stress and depression. According to one study the AYAHUASCA te preparations demonstrate antidepressant activity, possibly due to the presence of harmine and other substances that contribute to neurogenesis. Neurogenesis is the production of neurons
POST -TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER (PTSD) a 2018 study suggests that ayahuasca may be beneficial for people with PTSD. It helps with the retrieval of repressed memories, which paves the way for the brain to reprogram or extinguish the associated fear response. Then people can feel free without of fear and judge.
Addiction
ADDICTION Ayahuasca is also beneficial for people with substance use disorders, according to several studies but people needs to go under a predetox first before drink the Ayahuasca Te, we have reports that people with addictions problems needs to work first with KAMBO a detox ceremony to have 100% benefits from the Ayahuasca plant.
A small studyTrusted Source involving 12 people with psychological and behavioral issues arising from substance misuse took part in two ayahuasca ceremonies as part of a 4 day treatment program.
After 6 months, the participants continued to report positive and lasting changes. They also showed improvements in their overall quality-of-life scores, mindfulness, and sense of empowerment and hope.
Supporting this idea, further evidenceTrusted Source also suggests that there are beneficial effects of ayahuasca for those with tobacco and alcohol dependence. Nonetheless, the reviewers call for further research into this area.
SUICIDAL IDEATION 2019 studyTrusted Source suggests that lifetime psychedelic use can lower levels of suicidal ideation. The study reports that ayahuasca shows promise as a form of treatment for a wide range of mental health issues that may contribute to suicidal ideation.
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