More recently, new phenomena regarding ayahuasca use have evolved and moved to urban centers in North America and Europe, with the emergence of neoshamanic hybrid rituals and spiritual and recreational drug tourism.[5][6] Also, anecdotal evidence, studies conducted among ayahuasca consumers and clinical trials suggest that ayahuasca has broad therapeutic potential, especially for the treatment of substance dependence, anxiety, and mood disorders.[7][8][9][10][11] Thus, currently, despite continuing to be used in a traditional way, ayahuasca is also consumed recreationally worldwide, as well as used in modern medicine.
Ayahuasca is commonly made by the prolonged decoction of the stems of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub, although hundreds of species are used in addition or substitution (See "Preparation" below).[12]P. viridis contains N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a highly psychedelic substance. Although orally inactive, B. caapi is rich with harmala alkaloids, such as harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine (THH), which can act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOi). This halts the liver and gastrointestinal metabolism of DMT, allowing it to reach the systemic circulation and the brain, where it activates 5-HT1A/2A/2C receptors in frontal and paralimbic areas.[13][14]
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^Labate, Beatriz Caiuby; Jungaberle, Henrik (2011). The internationalization of ayahuasca. Performanzen, interkulturelle Studien zu Ritual, Speil and Theater. Zürich: Lit. ISBN978-3-643-90148-4.
^Schultes, Richard Evans; Hofmann, Albert (1992). Plants of the gods: their sacred, healing and hallucinogenic powers. Rochester (Vt.): Healing arts press. ISBN978-0-89281-406-0.
^Labate, Beatriz Caiuby; Cavnar, Clancy (2018). The expanding world Ayahuasca diaspora: appropriation, integration, and legislation. Vitality of indigenous religions. Abingdon, Oxon New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. ISBN978-0-415-78618-8.