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Banisteriopsis caapi is a South American vine that is the backbone of the traditional ayahuasca brew. Its psychoactivity comes from harmala alkaloids, which are reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs); in ayahuasca they let orally-taken DMT reach the brain by blocking the enzyme that would otherwise destroy it. On its own the vine is mildly psychoactive and purgative, but its MAOI activity is the pharmacologically important and risky part.
- Enables oral DMT in ayahuasca
- Central to traditional ceremonial use
- Reversible MAO-A inhibition studied in research
- Intense nausea and vomiting
- Dangerous interactions with serotonergic drugs
- Blood-pressure spikes with tyramine foods
- Dizziness and tremor
Mechanism
The vine contains beta-carboline harmala alkaloids, chiefly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which act as reversible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). MAO-A normally breaks down , , and dietary tyramine, as well as orally-ingested DMT; by inhibiting it, the harmalas raise monoamine levels and, crucially, make oral DMT active in ayahuasca. Tetrahydroharmine also has some serotonin-reuptake-inhibiting activity, adding to the serotonergic load.
receptor fingerprint
Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A)Reversible inhibitor
transporter (SERT)Reuptake inhibitor
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
As an MAOI, caapi carries the classic and serious MAOI interaction dangers: combining it with SSRIs, other serotonergic drugs, stimulants or MDMA can cause serotonin toxicity, and eating tyramine-rich foods (aged cheese, cured meats) can spike blood pressure dangerously. The brew commonly causes intense nausea and vomiting. Anyone on antidepressants or with heart or blood-pressure conditions faces real risk. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Central to ayahuasca and real pharmacology, but the MAO inhibition is the entire risk profile: antidepressants, stimulants, MDMA and aged or cured foods all become dangerous while it is active. Anyone taking a serotonergic medication should stay away from it completely.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 1.Composition, standardization and chemical profiling of Banisteriopsis caapi, a plant for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders relevant to Parkinson's disease.
- 2.Ayahuasca: pharmacology, safety, and therapeutic effects.
2 listed here; entry last updated July 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
Why is the vine needed in ayahuasca?
DMT is normally destroyed in the gut by MAO enzymes; the vine's harmala alkaloids inhibit that enzyme so oral DMT can become active.
What makes it risky with antidepressants?
It is an MAOI, so combining it with SSRIs or other serotonin-raising drugs can cause serotonin toxicity, a potentially dangerous excess of serotonin.
Are there food restrictions?
Yes. Like other MAOIs, it can interact with tyramine-rich foods such as aged cheese and cured meats to cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
Adverse effects
- Intense nausea and vomiting
- Dangerous interactions with serotonergic drugs
- Blood-pressure spikes with tyramine foods
- Dizziness and tremor