7) Ayahuasca / DMT
Ayahuasca is the core of some Brazilian syncretic religions, most notably the Santo Daime church which began in the 1920s in western Brazil. It is typically made into a brew from the decoction of two different plants: the Psychotria viridis and the Banisteriopsis caapi.
The first contains tryptamine N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) that binds to serotonin and sigma-1 receptors. The second is rich in beta-carboline alkaloids, particularly harmine, tetrahydroharmine (THH), and harmaline. Harmine and harmaline are potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOi) and THH acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a weak MAOi to prevent the degradation of monoamine neurotransmitters to maintain/increase their levels.
This complexity matters - it yields a more complex experience with more bodily experience and sedation than does psilocybin/'shrooms.
The researchers found that ayahuasca caused a significant decrease in activity in most parts of the DMN, including its two central hubs, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).
Ayahuasca is the core of some Brazilian syncretic religions, most notably the Santo Daime church which began in the 1920s in western Brazil. It is typically made into a brew from the decoction of two different plants: the Psychotria viridis and the Banisteriopsis caapi.
The first contains tryptamine N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) that binds to serotonin and sigma-1 receptors. The second is rich in beta-carboline alkaloids, particularly harmine, tetrahydroharmine (THH), and harmaline. Harmine and harmaline are potent monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOi) and THH acts as a serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a weak MAOi to prevent the degradation of monoamine neurotransmitters to maintain/increase their levels.
This complexity matters - it yields a more complex experience with more bodily experience and sedation than does psilocybin/'shrooms.
The researchers found that ayahuasca caused a significant decrease in activity in most parts of the DMN, including its two central hubs, the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC).
- Surprisingly, functional connectivity within the PCC decreased after ayahuasca intake, but not between the PCC and the mPFC as we saw with psilocybin.
- No significant change was observed in the relationship between the DMN (blah, blah) and TPN (tasking) networks.
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Before Ayahuasca |
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With Ayahuasca The PCC and mPFC shutdown occurs with ayahuasca. |
While performing mental imagery tasks, the researchers found that ayahuasca "selectively modulates frontal, temporal and occipital brain networks associated with intention, memory and vision."
The effects include significantly increased and coupled activity in the primary visual cortex.
In addition to the mental imagery, ayahuasca generates
Source: Ayahuasca, autism, aging and the Default Mode Network...new research
The effects include significantly increased and coupled activity in the primary visual cortex.
In addition to the mental imagery, ayahuasca generates
- gastrointestinal distress,
- changes of space and time scaling,
- dissociation,
- sense of well-being,
- insights, feelings of apprehension, and,
- importantly, increased introspection into one's thoughts and feelings.
Source: Ayahuasca, autism, aging and the Default Mode Network...new research
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Key Moment:
24:36 Magic Mushrooms /Psilocybin ; Ayahuasca / DMT |
Misconceptions about nonduality including:
a) that it requires levels, title and an endpoint, b) or religious teachings, c) that no practice is necessary, d) that mystical experiences can't be understood scientifically, e) that psychedelics can produce persistent nonduality, f) that nonduality is a psychotic state, g) that if there is no "I" you won't be compassionate, h) that all research on nonduality is reliable and i) that "no thoughts" isn't the goal. |
Key Moments:
03:29. When to change self-inquiry questions
10:30 Psychedelics compared to meditation experiences
21:52. Doing self-inquiry during the day
31:15 Focusing on breath to reach stillness
32:22 Grief and pain letting go of the "I" addiction/attachment. Sex, social media, running, meditation as addictions.
43:31 Practices for letting go of attachment
51:35 Marijuana w/self inquiry as a practice?
56:20 Relationship of brain and ego/I neuroscientifically
1:00:04 Default Mode Network's role in mystical experiences in psychedelics and nondual awakening
1:07:54 Suffering in Christianity
1:12:00 Why is the success rate so low in nondual awakening?
03:29. When to change self-inquiry questions
10:30 Psychedelics compared to meditation experiences
21:52. Doing self-inquiry during the day
31:15 Focusing on breath to reach stillness
32:22 Grief and pain letting go of the "I" addiction/attachment. Sex, social media, running, meditation as addictions.
43:31 Practices for letting go of attachment
51:35 Marijuana w/self inquiry as a practice?
56:20 Relationship of brain and ego/I neuroscientifically
1:00:04 Default Mode Network's role in mystical experiences in psychedelics and nondual awakening
1:07:54 Suffering in Christianity
1:12:00 Why is the success rate so low in nondual awakening?