Psychotria viridis - Chacruna
- Rubiaceae - Amozonia

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Psychotria viridis - Chacruna, Amirucapanga
(Rubiaceae) The classical principle admixtures of Ayahuasca and Yagè commonly employed throughout Amazonian Peru, Ecuador and Brazil. Related to the coffee plant in a large genus of over 700 species, Psychotria viridis is a small glabrous tree or shrub reaching 14 foot. It's use has been documented by the Sharanahua and Culina Indian tribes of the southwestern Amazon basin, the Kofá Indians of Amazonian Colombia and Ecuador, the Kashinahua of eastern Peru and western Brazil plus in Tarauacá in the Acre of Brazil amongst others.
Said to be added to ayahuasca brews to increase the 'length and vividness' of the visions, analysis has shown the strong presence of a dimethylated tryptamine plus trace amounts of N-methyl-tryptamine and 2-methyl-tetrahydro-ß-carboline (MTHC). These compounds hold the other half of the key to the brew's unique synergistic pharmacological interaction between the Ayahuasca liana itself and the principle admixture. These compounds are themselves not orally active but are metabolized by the stomach enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) due to their similarity to and/or functions as regular neurotransmitters. The b-carboline complex of chemicals found in the Ayahuasca vine block, or inhibit the action of these stomach enzymes and are therefore referred to as MAO inhibitors or MAOI's. When the normally orally inactive Chacruna leaves are combined with the enzyme inhibiting Ayahuasca liana a synergistic action between the two plants and your stomach enzymes provoking one of the most mysterious, ancient and pharmacologically sophisticated experiences of nature.


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