Traditional Preparation of DMT Drink Ayahuasca

Is Ayahuasca Still Traditionally Prepared?

Although DMT can be extracted and prepared many different ways, probably one of the oldest dating methods that still exists in modern culture is via Ayahuasca. Extracting DMT through a preparation that yields a beverage known as Ayahuasca is popular throughout many cultures that stretch from Mexico all the way down to the more southern regions of South America. Honestly, there are hundreds of legitimate Ayahuasca preparations, with almost a hundred different Ayahuasca communities. Still, the most commonly used preparations involved the ever-abundantly available vines throughout South America called Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaves of the beautiful Psychotria viridis plant. And yes, Ayahuasca is still traditionally prepared today in many of these cultures (and others).

Initial Disclaimer: This article is not meant to encourage any illegal activity. This is a reputable method that is well-known to be used by natives in preparing DMT. It’s much like a documentary on Netflix, explaining how cocaine is extracted from opium pods, only we’re talking about the extraction of DMT from psychoactive, hallucinogenic plants. This practice in actual action, and the possession of DMT are illegal (in the United States and many other places). It is also illegal to possess precursors or plants that contain DMT with the intention of extracting DMT from them for recreational use. The Botanical Shaman is a psychonaut and drug enthusiast, but does not condone extracting DMT or possessing DMT plants (or using DMT for any reason) outside of regions where it is legal. Traveling to Mexico or South America may be required to legally make a beverage like this ayahuasca drink.

Important Information About the Traditional Preparation of Ayahuasca

Probably one of the most important thing to keep in mind about the preparation of Ayahuasca is that while the drink may be composed of many ingredients, two of them are critical in a successful preparation. One of the ingredients (obviously) is a plant that provides high DMT content, which in the most common traditional preparation is the Psychotria viridis plant. The second plant is an MAOI, or a Monoamine oxidase inhibitor. MAO is an enzyme in the stomach that effectively neutralizes DMT. This means, if no MAO Inhibitor is used to make Ayahuasca, the DMT will be neutralized by the body and the drink will be no different than a poor-tasting green tea. An MAOI, such as the Banisteriopsis caapi prevents the MAO enzymes from neutralizing the DMT, making it an effective substance in the Ayahuasca preparation. The reason it is such an effective MAOI is from having a high content of harmala alkaloids, which are well known to break down the DMT-neutralizing enzymes in the stomach.

Guide for the Traditional Preparation of DMT via Ayahuasca

DMT is extracted many ways, but this Ayahuasca preparation is one of the most popular ways DMT has been used in traditional cultures. Please remember to review our disclaimers at the top and bottom of this guide, as it is not meant to condone illegal activity.

Step 1: Measuring Out Ingredients

Although there are many plants that are added to traditional Ayahuasca, the most profoundly common and most important are the DMT-containing plant leaves from P. viridis, and the crushed vines of the MAOI Banisteriopsis caapi. If the preparation is being made for one person, typically about 20 mg worth of the DMT leaves are used in the concoction, while about 30 mg of the B. caapi MAOI is used. A large pot is required, and many quarts of water (enough to fill the pot twice).

Step 2: Boiling the First Batch

Combine the leaves and herbage into a pot, fill it with water and bring it to a boil. Allow this pot to boil for 3-5 hours. Be sure to keep an eye on your pot for safety purposes. If the liquid gets to be too low of a level and the liquid becomes too thick, pull it early and move on to the next step.

Step 3: Filtering the First Batch

Bring the pot off the heat and allow it to cool. After the solution has cooled, filter the herbage from the liquid, retaining the liquid in a separate container. Place the herbage back in the pot, fill it back up with water and place it back on the stove.

Step 4: Boiling the Second Batch

Bring the pot back up to a boil again and allow the solution to boil for another 3 hours. Again, be sure to keep your eyes on the pot for safety purposes. Again, if it looks like the water level is getting too low, pull it from the heat and complete the next step early.

Step 5: Filtering the Second Batch

Turn the heat off, pull the pot off the heat and allow it cool. After it is cooled, filter out the herbage, discarding it this time. Retain the liquid, combining it with the previously stowed liquid into the pot again, together.

Step 6: Reducing the Dose

This last step is simple: bring the pot up to a low heat and allow it to simmer until it is reduced to the desired drinkable portions. An important thing to keep in mind, is that most traditional recipes specifically account for at least two doses per person ahead of time. This is because Ayahuasca can cause a violent vomiting with the first dose, and having a second dose already prepared after the ridiculous purge can ensure the desired effects are still attained.

Middle Disclaimer: If you are thinking about using or preparing Ayahuasca, whether it is illegal or legal in your area, you should absolutely consult a physician first, and explain your intentions. There are many drugs that are dangerous to use with ayahuasca, even things that you may be prescribed, such as SSRIs.

Last Words on the Traditional Preparation of Ayahuasca

Remember that the traditional cultures whom use DMT have had many hundreds of years to learn about the safety of the substance, as primitive as the studies and results may have been. They understand things like “lethal limits” in terms of how much goes into the preparation of the substance and how much is consumed. It is REALLY important to understand doses (usually a single dose is around 25 mg of DMT with an accompany 40-140 mg of MAOI). They understand the best plants to use for creating the hallucinogenic beverage and they also understand what foods and substances to avoid prior to using Ayahuasca. The traditional preparation methods have been quite thoroughly defined throughout the course of its primitive evolution. Still, Ayahuasca is ultimately prepared today the same way it has been for hundreds of years as the formula has been long worked out…being enjoyed by many for quite some time!

For information about how the traditional cultures consumed DMT safely, check out How to Safely Use DMT.

Additional Disclaimer: Once again, the Botanical Shaman cannot be responsible for your actions, this article is for educational purposes only, and simply meant to shine light on how traditional cultures prepared a popular, hallucinogenic and religious drink named Ayahuasca. Anyone thinking about replicating this guide should remind themselves that most modern countries have outlawed the drink and the preparation of DMT. Preparing DMT is illegal. Even possessing the plants that contain DMT with the intention of extracting the DMT, is illegal. The Botanical Shaman is required to post this notice so that you understand he cannot be responsible for your preparation of DMT in a territory where it is illegal. It is possible to travel to a territory where Ayahuasca is legal, however, and still see it in production today.