Reassessing the cultural and psychopharmacological significance of Banisteriopsis caapi: preparation, classification and use among the Piaroa of Southern Venezuela.
Journal of psychoactive drugs September 1, 2008 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2008.10400645 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe harmala alkaloids in Banisteriopsis caapi have drawn attention for their monoamine oxidase inhibiting properties, but this focus has overshadowed the plant's broader cultural significance among indigenous South American societies. Among the Piaroa of southern Venezuela, who use only the cambium and identify at least five varieties of B. caapi, the plant is valued for heightening empathy and has extra-shamanic uses as a stimulant and hunting aid. Given the psychopharmacological complexity of harmala alkaloids and the ethnographic evidence, future research should reconsider B. caapi's cultural heritage and potential as a stimulant and antidepressant-like substance.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Piaroa people of southern Venezuela |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key finding | The cultural significance and range of uses of Banisteriopsis caapi among the Piaroa, including its role in heightening empathy and as a stimulant, have been overlooked due to a narrow focus on its monoamine oxidase inhibiting properties. |
Abstract
Recent attention to the monoamine oxidase inhibiting properties of Banisteriopsis caapi's harmala alkaloids has precluded a balanced assessment of B. caapi's overall significance to indigenous South American societies. Relatively little attention has been paid to the cultural contexts, local meanings and patterns of use of B. caapi among snuff-using societies, such as the Piaroa, who do not prepare decoctions containing N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) admixtures. This article reviews the psychopharmacological literature on B. caapi in light of recent ethnographic work conducted among the Piaroa of southern Venezuela. Piaroa shamans use only B. caapi's cambium, identify at least five distinct varieties of B. caapi, and emphasise the plant's importance for heightening empathy. Some Piaroa people also attribute a range of extra-shamanic uses to B. caapi, including as a stimulant and hunting aid. In light of the psychopharmacological complexity of harmala alkaloids, and ethnographic evidence for a wide range of B. caapi uses,future research should reconsider B. caapi's cultural heritage and psychopharmacological potential as a stimulant and antidepressant-like substance.