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Sounds Like: eye.yuh.WHA.skuh
Classification: Hallucinogens
Controlled Substance Act Schedule: I
Other names for Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a mind-altering drink made from Central and South American plants. Ayahuasca tea produces psychedelic, mind-altering effects. People travel to Central and South America to smoke or drink brewed Ayahuasca tea, which many drug experts and spiritual people believe has healing properties. The drink contains N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a chemical that belongs to a class of psychedelic drugs known as hallucinogens and makes its users high.
The DMT in Ayahuasca is a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substance Act, which means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction, like other hallucinogens. DMT can only be used for research purposes with approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, DMT is illegally manufactured in secret labs and sold on the Internet in the United States.
People smoke, snort, or drink synthetic forms of DMT to feel its mind-altering effects, including out-of-body experiences, heightened senses and perception of time. Experts claim it’s possible to develop a tolerance to the hallucinogenic effects of the DMT found in Ayahuasca. However, the long-term effects of Ayahuasca abuse and addiction are unknown, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). DMT tolerance is said to be short-lived, and physical withdrawal symptoms are uncommon when users stop taking the drug.
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Intended Use of Ayahuasca
The DMT found in Ayahuasca has no approved medical use in the United States, according to the DEA.
How Ayahuasca is taken
Ayahuasca tea is brewed with native Central and South American plants. Synthetic forms of DMT, the chemical found in Ayahuasca, is said to only produce mind-altering effects when injected, snorted or smoked.
If any of these side effects become severe, immediately call a doctor.
The long-term effects of Ayahuasca abuse and addiction are unknown, according to the NIDA. DMT tolerance is said to be short-lived, and physical withdrawal symptoms are uncommon when users stop taking the drug.
Ayahuasca attracts thousands of tourism dollars in Peru. The Rainforest Healing Center offers retreats at prices ranging from $2,000 to $3,300 per person, according to The Guardian
More than seven million people 12 years of age and older reported past-year use of DMT in the past year in 2020
Green Bay Packers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers credited an Ayahuasca retreat to Peru for his Most Valuable Player (MVP) season in 2020