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What is the pharmacology of ayahuasca? Why does oral DMT work in ayahuasca but not on its own?
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| Question | Answer | Level |
|---|---|---|
What is the pharmacology of ayahuasca? Why does oral DMT work in ayahuasca but not on its own? pharmacology | Ayahuasca = DMT (from Psychotria viridis or other admixture plants) + beta-carbolines (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) from Banisteriopsis caapi. Beta-carbolines are MAO-A inhibitors, they block the gut and liver enzymes that would otherwise metabolize DMT before it reaches the brain. Without the MAOI, oral DMT is fully inactive. Additionally: harmine independently inhibits DYRK1A kinase, promoting neurogenesis through a separate pathway. Labate & Cavnar, Therapeutic Use of Ayahuasca (2014); Labate & Cavnar, Ayahuasca Healing and Science (2021) | intermediate |
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