Foods to Avoid when taking Ayahuasca

(a few hours before and afterwards)

Mono-amine Oxidase Inhibitors in the Ayahuasca Brew (from the Banisteriopsis Caapi) stop Monoamine oxidase enzymes working so that the DMT (from the Psychotria Viridis) is not broken down in the digestive system before it reaches the brain.  A side-effect of this is that the amino acid tyramine is also not broken down properly and this can cause unpleasant symptoms and even be dangerous.  By taking care, these problems can easily be avoided.

The following categories of food may contain substantial amounts of tyramine and should be avoided. The list is not exhaustive and it is the individual’s responsibility to carry out appropriate research.  Traditionally fasting has been done before consumption and so these problems would be automatically avoided but modern day raw foodists have experienced benefits from the ayahuasca experience by simply avoiding tyramine rich foods and other heavy foods.

Alcohol
Banana Peel
Bean Curd (Tofu)
Broad Beans
Cheese
Fish
Ginseng
Miso
Protein Extracts
Meat
Sauerkraut
Shrimp Paste
Soups if they contain miso or protein extracts
Yeasts
Spoiled, old or fermented food
Foods to be Consumed in only Small Quantities

Avocados
Caffeine
Chocolate
Other Dairy Products
Nuts
Raspberries
Soy Sauce
Spinach