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Wiley InterScience | ||||
  AddictionVolume 102 Issue 1, Pages 24 - 34 Published Online: 20 Dec 2006 Journal compilation © 2010 Society for the Study of Addiction Published on behalf of the Society for the Study of Addiction
Abstract | References | Full Text: HTML, PDF (Size: 113K) | Related Articles | Citation Tracking  REVIEW Risk assessment of ritual use of oral dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and harmala alkaloids Copyright © 2007 The Author. Journal compilation © 2007 Society for the Study of Addiction KEYWORDS Abuse potential • ayahuasca • dimethyltryptamine • DMT • toxicity ABSTRACTAim To extend previous reviews by assessing the acute systemic toxicity and psychological hazards of a dimethyltryptamine and β-carboline brew (ayahuasca/hoasca) used in religious ceremonies. Method A systematic literature search, supplemented by interviews with ceremony participants. Results No laboratory animal models were located that tested the acute toxicity or the abuse potential of ayahuasca. Separate animal studies of the median lethal dose of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and of several harmala alkaloids indicated that a lethal dose of these substances in humans is probably greater than 20 times the typical ceremonial dose. Adverse health effects may occur from casual use of ayahuasca, particularly when serotonergic substances are used in conjunction. DMT is capable of inducing aversive psychological reactions or transient psychotic episodes that resolve spontaneously in a few hours. There was no evidence that ayahuasca has substantial or persistent abuse potential. Long-term psychological benefits have been documented when ayahuasca is used in a well-established social context. Conclusion A decoction of DMT and harmala alkaloids used in religious ceremonies has a safety margin comparable to codeine, mescaline or methadone. The dependence potential of oral DMT and the risk of sustained psychological disturbance are minimal. Submitted 19 February 2006; initial review completed 12 June 2006; final version accepted 11 July 2006 | 
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