What is Ayahuasca? (And Can it Cure Your Depression?)

Is the popularity that this psychoactive tea has gained actually justified?

If you’re like me then over the past few years you’ve seen a big influx on social media of people praising the benefits of a drug called ayahuasca. Reports from people taking the drug vary widely- some people describe a beautiful, traditional experience that helped them gain self-awareness and powerful insight, while others describe three hours filled with vomiting, diarrhea, and hallucinations so vivid that users of LSD would be jealous.

But What Exactly is Ayahuasca?

This article gives a basic overview of the traditional psychedelic tea, including what it actually contains, what it does to the body, whether it has potential as a therapeutic for mental health conditions, and whether it’s actually safe to consume.

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What is Ayahuasca?

Typically, when one talks about ayahuasca they’re actually referring to a tea made from two different plants. These plants are:

• Banisteriopsis caapi (also known as the soul vine). This vine is a native of the Amazon jungle and grows pretty, pink flowers. The leaves of the plant contain a class of compounds known as β-carboline alkaloids. These…