Ayahuasca Abuse Hotline

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic tea made using vines and leaves native to the Amazon. The drink has been a part of religious ceremonies in the Amazon region for centuries, with people consuming the tea for the hallucinogenic effects of the drug dimethyltryptamine contained in the plant. Because the plants used to make the tea are legal in the United States, many people assume the drug itself is safe, although this isn’t the case. In this guide, we explore some common ayahuasca dangers and mention some resources where those struggling with drug abuse can get psychedelic addiction help.

Understanding Ayahuasca Abuse

Ayahuasca is made using plants that can be legally purchased in the United States. However, the active drug, DMT, is a Schedule I substance that’s highly addictive and not currently used for medicinal purposes. When people take ayahuasca, they often experience effects that include:

Out-of-body hallucinations
Altered perception
Seeing, feeling or hearing things that aren’t real

In some cases, these feelings can be pleasant, but in others, they can be distressing or traumatic. Ayahuasca is used in religious ceremonies because it’s thought to create a “death-like experience” that’s viewed as a way of opening the mind as part of a spiritual journey. However, not all experiences with ayahuasca are positive and safe. Some individuals may experience nausea or vomiting when taking ayahuasca, and because of their altered perception, they may find themselves in an unsafe situation or unable to take care of themselves.

Many assume ayahuasca is safe because it’s “natural” and associated with ancient religious ceremonies. However, the media has so far linked ayahuasca to 58 fatalities, and many others are likely undocumented. Becoming dependent on any drug, whether biologically or psychologically, can have life-altering consequences, and the risks of fatal complications from taking ayahuasca are something that should be taken seriously.

One particular danger when taking ayahuasca is that it’s difficult to manage the dose. Because the drink is a tea made from leaves and vines, there’s not an easy way to manage the strength of the substance. Someone might have a relatively pleasant, mild experience their first time around and a completely different experience with a different batch of tea.

If you’re concerned about ayahuasca abuse and struggling to stop taking the drug, it’s a good idea to reach out to a substance abuse hotline for support. The trained professionals at the National Rehab Hotline are there to provide nonjudgmental advice and help people break free from addiction.

Signs of Ayahuasca Abuse

While DMT is thought to be a substance with a high addiction potential, the risk of biological addiction to ayahuasca is low, and no current peer-reviewed evidence suggests that people build up a tolerance to ayahuasca. However, behavioral addiction is still a strong possibility. Many individuals who take ayahuasca find themselves turning to the drug on a regular basis as a form of “self-care” or “therapy.” Taking the drug regularly increases the risk of experiencing a “bad trip” and the complications that can occur as a result of this.

Signs that a person might be abusing ayahuasca include:

Taking the drug regularly
Being preoccupied with the drug
Using the substance even if doing so might interfere with their day-to-day responsibilities
Taking risks or using larger amounts of ayahuasca
Stealing or engaging in other risky behaviors to fund the habit
“Chasing the high” even though recent experiences with the drug have been unpleasant

Complications From Ayahuasca Use

Ayahuasca can have a variety of short-term physical effects in addition to the desirable hallucinogenic effects. These include:

Anxiety
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased blood pressure
Elevated heart rate
Increased body temperature
Paranoia

In most people, these effects are short-term and have no lasting damage. However, hallucinogenic drugs are known to cause persistent psychosis. In some cases, a person may experience lasting altered perception, such as seeing halos around objects. They may also have random hallucinations that persist long after the drug is out of their system.

In severe cases, ayahuasca can cause changes in a person’s brain structure and personality. While these could be minor changes, the changes can be severe enough to impact a person’s personal life or cause them to be unable to work or engage in their previously normal activities.

Getting Help for Ayahuasca Abuse

Because ayahuasca isn’t thought to be addictive in the purest sense of the word, most people can stop taking it successfully, especially if they have external support. If you’re concerned that your ayahuasca habit is out of control or that someone close to you might be abusing the substance, talk to a local rehab helpline for advice on how to break the habit. Free support through organizations such as the National Rehab Hotline can help you take the first steps on the road to lifelong recovery and a healthier lifestyle.