Substance guideSubstances 1 min read
Ayahuasca and DMT: what to know
What ayahuasca and DMT are, what research shows, the risks, and where they stand legally in the US and abroad.
PsiloAtlas editorial · AI-assisted information, not clinical review · Reviewed 2026-10-12
What it is
Ayahuasca is a brew traditionally made in the Amazon from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and leaves containing DMT, such as Psychotria viridis. The vine contains MAOIs that let DMT take effect when swallowed. Effects usually last four to six hours.
Risks
Because of its MAOI content, ayahuasca can cause serotonin syndrome or dangerous blood pressure spikes when combined with SSRIs, other antidepressants, some stimulants and certain foods. Vomiting is common. People with a personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder face higher risk. Reputable retreats screen for medications and health conditions before attending.
Legal status
DMT is listed in Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act (21 CFR 1308.11). In Gonzales v. O Centro Espírita Beneficente União do Vegetal (2006), the US Supreme Court ruled that the UDV church may use hoasca (ayahuasca) in religious ceremony under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
Outside the US, legal status varies by country. Check each country page on PsiloAtlas for details.