Microdosing Ayahuasca vs Ayahuasca Ceremony

When people refer to ayahuasca, they’re generally referring to the brew made of banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca) vine and the chacruna leaf (contains DMT).

Microdosing Ayahuasca has many of the same impacts as a full ceremony

Many individuals have reported that they’ve gained many of the effects of a full Ayahuasca ceremony by microdosing ayahuasca, just only over a longer period of time. Ayahuasca vine (banisteriopsis caapi) carries a naturally intelligent power. Our members have shared a variety of their microdosing experiences with us – everything from stress reduction and mindfulness to a clearer cognitive state. Participating in an ayahuasca ceremony with the full hallucinogenic power of the brew can feel a bit like going from being in a very dark room to suddenly being in a room with all the lights turned on at high voltage and intensity. Microdosing with the vine is more like having a dimmer switch. The increases in your higher faculties are subtler, more gradient, and less of a shock to your system.

Why Microdose ayahuasca instead of taking a ceremonial dose?

Benefits of microdosing include amplified emotions, improved mood, improved focus, creativity, energy, and social benefits. By amplifying emotions, you learn to manage and live healthily with your emotions. There are no intoxicating effects with microdosing banisteriopsis caapi (no DMT) like there are with ceremonial doses (which contain DMT). Because there is no DMT in the banisteriopsis caapi, it is not hallucinogenic and is perfectly legal in the United States.

Microdose to stay connected to Mother Ayahuasca

Microdosing ayahuasca in between ceremonies is a great way to stay connected with the medicine and maintain elevated mindfulness. You’re able to stay in control of your experience while microdosing instead of having to give way to the medicine.

Microdose to integrate lessons learned into your life

After experiencing an ayahuasca ceremony in Costa Rica or Peru, an individual may feel like everything is different and elevated. But after a few weeks, if they don’t integrate their new realizations into their life, they can slide back into old thought patterns and behaviors. Integrating the lessons learned from ceremony into your life is made easier by consistently microdosing because you’re able to live your life while continuing to experience the benefits of ayahuasca. This drastic transition between ceremony and coming back into the real world is easier to manage when you’re supported by a community of like-minded individuals (like in Awake Healer).

Microdose to prepare for an Ayahuasca ceremony

Microdosing banisteriopsis caapi is a great way to prepare for a full ayahuasca ceremony. It’s a great introduction to test the waters and prepare your body for ceremony.

Microdosing ayahuasca is less risky for mental and physical health issues

Because in a microdose you’re taking such a small amount of the pure vine of ayahuasca without any DMT, you’re still able to access the energetic and healing effects of the vine without taking a potentially dangerous amount.

What are MAO Inhibitors?

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) block the actions of MAOs (monoamine oxidase enzymes), which are responsible for breaking down neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. In other words, MAOs regulate the amount of these neurotransmitters that the brain can absorb – when the MAOs are inhibited, the neurotransmitters can be absorbed more. In the case of the ayahuasca brew, MAOIs prevent the breakdown of DMT which is a tryptamine drug in the same family as serotonin. This may be a reason why MAOIs are linked to improved mood and create an anti-panic effect.

Guest Written By Isa Mendoza