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(Psychotria carthaginensis)
Introduction :
In Colombia, Macuna Indians employ the foliage of Psychotria carthaginensis as an ayahuasca additive with the purpose to lenghten en strengthen the psychoactive effects5. Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic beverage made from Banisteriopsis caapi and is used natively in the Amazonian regions of South America. The use of these beverages (and probably also of P. carthaginensis) appears to be very old and it has always been surrounded by mystery and magic; the drinks have been employed since precolombian times as an oracle that can answer difficult questions accurately and that can forsee the future5,8; it is for this reason that these beverages are often refered to as 'the great medicine' and are still highly prized in South American folkmedicine.
Although many Psychotria species are used as ayahuasca additives, P. viridis (chacruna) and P. Carthaginensis are considered to be the most used species8.
The Macuna Indians also ascribe hallucinogenic properties to the fruits of P. carthaginensis, but little phytochemical information seems to be available5.
Effects :
Psychedelic: euphoria, changes in visual and auditory perception, emotional disturbances, depersonalisation, synaesthesias (phenomenon in which the senses become transmuted) and serous alterations in time and space perception1,4,5,6. After taken large doses of ayahuasca, one might feel or hear a buzzing or humming in the ears, experience drowsiness, exhibit profuse sweating and become frenzied for ten to fifteen minutes.8
Autonomic changes: nausea, pupilairy dilation, tremor, retching, rise of blood pressure and body temperature.2
Duration :
The effects of ayahuasca beverages start within an hour after ingestion and can last 4-6 hours. When an extract is smoked, the effects start immediately and last for 15-30 minutes.
Preparation and dosage :
The foliage of P. carthaginensis can be taken in combination with Banisteriopsis stems or with Peganum harmala seeds to form ayahuasca preparations, but extracts from the foliage may also be smoked. Although this latter manner of preparation is possible, it is rarely seen. To prepare an ayahuasca beverage, the plant material should be boiled in water with some limejuice for 1-2 hours. To make sure that all the active constituents are extracted, one should extract in fractions; after the extraction proces the fractions should be collected and the remaining beverage vaporized to a more managable volume.
Botanical aspects :
Psychotria carthaginensis is a shrub that belongs to Rubioideae, is native to the Colombia and has a similar appearance as other members of the Psychotria genus. The plant has glossy green foliage, a woody stem and red fruits that contain two oval seeds. P. carthaginensis requires a sunny, highly humid environment and propagation mainly follows through cuttings, because the seeds require a long germinating periode.4
 Figure. Psychotria carthaginensis9
 Figure. P. carthaginensis seeds
Phytochemistry :
Psychotria carthaginensis foliage (like many other Psychotria species) contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), monomethyltryptamine (NMT) and 2-methyl-tetrahydro-b-carboline (2-Me-THbC)6.
Pharmacological activity :
The tryptophan derived compounds are structurally similar to serotonine and thereby undergo similar metabolic pathways: they are substrate for monoamine oxidase (MAO), N-methyltransferases, hydroxy-indol-0-methyltransferases and can be condensed with formaldehyde or acetaldehyde to form b-carbolines.
The structural similarity to serotonine enable these tryptamines to interact as partial agonists with various serotonergic 5-HT2-receptors, including the receptor-subtype 5-HT2A 2,7. This receptor-subtype appears to be somehow involved in hallucinogenic activity2; it seems likely that the 5-HT2A receptors have axonal connections with the neurons of Locus coeruleus, a small brain nuclues that is responsible for all sensory input and regulation of emotional behavior7.
The pharmacological bases of the ayahuasca beverages lies in the ability of Banisteriopsis caapi to inhibit MAO, the main activition pathway of the tryptamines5,6. As a result, the conversion of the tryptamines into psychologically inactive aldehydes is postponed and the tryptamines can stimulate the serotonergic 5-HT2A receptors for a relatively longer time2. Aside from Banisteriopsis caapi, Peganum harmala also has the ability to inhibit MAO5.
Interactions :
- MAO-inhibitors potentiate the effects of the tryptamines present in P. Carthaginensis (i.e. Peganum harmala and Banisteriopsis caapi).
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin c) doesn't change the intensity of the experience, but it alters its quality: under influence of the drug, one can concentrate better, develops less paranoia and is also less tired at the end of the experience. 3
- Hashish or marihuana can intensify the experience5.
- Tricyclic-antidepressants and a-typical neuroleptica that act as antagonists on the receptor subtype 5-HT2A (i.e. risperidon) antagonize the effects.1, 3
- Alkaloids of the tropane-type (atropine, scopolamine) alter and intensify the psychological effects (also more dangerous) of the Ayahuasca brews.8
References
1. [Efron/ Holmstedt/ Kline, 1967]
2. [Forth/ Henschler/ Rummel/ Fostermann/ Starke, 2001]
3. [Hoffer/ Osmond, 1967]
4. [Hoffmann/ Schultes, 1973]
5. [Ratsch, 1998]
6. [Shulgin, 1997]
7. [Snyder, 1996]
8. [Stafford, 1974]
9. [Erowid page] |
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