Ayahuasca vine / Caapi
Banisteriopsis caapi
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This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
Safety information
Toxicity: As an MAOI-containing plant it carries serotonin-syndrome and hypertensive-crisis risk when combined with serotonergic/tyramine-bearing drugs or foods; cardiovascular and psychiatric risks in vulnerable individuals.
Contraindications: Concurrent SSRIs/SNRIs/MAOIs/serotonergic drugs, psychotic or bipolar disorder (mania/psychosis risk), serious cardiovascular disease, pregnancy. Not for unsupervised use.
Interactions: Major — MAO-A inhibition interacts dangerously with serotonergic antidepressants, stimulants, certain opioids (tramadol, meperidine), sympathomimetics, and tyramine-rich foods (serotonin syndrome / hypertensive crisis).
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Contraindicated in pregnancy. Not for unsupervised use.
Evidence level
Documented in systematic traditional medicine literature.
Preparations
This plant carries serious safety risks. All information is for educational reference only.
ceremonial brew used in combination with DMT-containing admixture plants (general category only — FLAGGED) · stem/liana
Part used: stem/liana
Traditional use: sacred plant of Amazonian shamanism — ceremonial healing, divination, social cohesion, spiritual/visionary; documented context only
Proposed mechanism: beta-carboline alkaloids (harmine, harmaline, tetrahydroharmine) — reversible MAO-A inhibitors
Dosage note (descriptive only): No method, ratios, or dosing provided
Reference only — not a dosage instruction
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not relevant.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- The pharmacological interaction of compounds in ayahuasca: a systematic review, 2020 (PMC7678905)
- The mitogenomic landscape of Banisteriopsis caapi, 2024 (PMC11234496)