New World Tryptamine Hallucinogens and the Neuroscience of Ayahuasca

Indigenous peoples of the New World have a long history of using psychedelic plants in shamanic and ethnomedical practices, and such use is much more common there than in the Old World. Although the plants used are botanically diverse, their active compounds are chemically similar, almost all being tryptamine derivatives such as DMT or related substances. Part 1 of this paper gives an ethnopharmacological overview of the major tryptamine-containing hallucinogens found in the New World.

Study at a glance

Abstract

New World indigenous peoples are noted for their sophisticated use of psychedelic plants in shamanic and ethnomedical practices. The use of psychedelic plant preparations among New World tribes is far more prevalent than in the Old World. Yet, although these preparations are botanically diverse, almost all are chemically similar in that their active principles are tryptamine derivatives, either DMT or related constituents. Part 1 of this paper provides an ethnopharmacological overview of the major tryptamine-containing New WorldNew World hallucinogensHallucinogens .