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Psychedex
Facts label

Ayahuasca Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Dose and duration

No dose or duration recorded for any route.

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Negligible
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Negligible
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Negligible

Tolerance

Builds
None
Fully resets after
Not recorded
Carries over to
psilocybin; LSD; mescaline

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Visual drifting; Tracers; Color alteration; Symmetrical texture repetition; Color enhancement; Geometry; Holotropic state; Visual breathing; Visual morphing; +25 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Visual haze / noise, Vestibular distortion
Body
Nausea; Pupil dilation; Wakefulness; Body scan awareness; Dizziness; +34 possible, including Vomiting, Motor control impairment, Excessive sweating
Thinking
Pattern recognition enhancement; Conceptual thinking; Immersion enhancement; Thought connectivity; Increased nature relatedness; Introspection enhancement; Openness enhancement; +28 possible, including Suggestibility enhancement, Cognitive impairment, Thought disorganization
Feeling
Catharsis; Emotional enhancement; Emotional lability; +7 possible, including Anxiety, Dysphoria, Paranoia
Self
none likely · 12 possible, including Depersonalization, Derealization, Communication suppression
Time
Time alteration; Temporal disorientation; +3 possible
Transpersonal
Unity and interconnectedness
Awareness
Personal insight; +4 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy; Concurrent serotonergic medication
Relative
Severe cardiovascular disease; Lithium therapy; Bipolar disorder; Severe hepatic impairment

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (6)
Amphetamines; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; Psychedelics; SNRIs; Stimulants
Dangerous (29)
5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Buspirone; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; Opioids; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Caffeine; Cannabis; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; L-Tyrosine; Lithium; Naltrexone; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; NSAIDs; and 5 more, see full page
Caution (21)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/ayahuasca
Not graded (4)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

Most difficulty is psychological (intense fear, panic, confusion) and passes with calm support — the signs below mean seek emergency help:

  • Very high body temperature; hot, dry skin
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Severe muscle rigidity, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Cold, pale, or blue fingers/toes — severe vasoconstriction (notably NBOMe / DOx)
  • Persistent vomiting; unconsciousness; uncontrollable agitation or risk of self-harm

What to do

  1. Stay calm and reassure — remind them they took a drug and the effect will pass
  2. Move to a calm, quiet, safe space with low light; reduce noise and sensory input
  3. Keep them from harm — they may act on fear or confusion; stay with them, don't leave them alone
  4. Talk them down gently; don't grab or restrain unless they're in danger
  5. For the medical signs above (overheating, seizure, chest pain, vasoconstriction, unresponsive) call emergency services
  6. If overheating, cool the body; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

The experience is time-limited and usually resolves with calm reassurance in a safe setting — psychological first aid, not medication. Serious physical harm is uncommon for classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) but real for some potent phenethylamines (NBOMe, DOx), where hyperthermia, seizures, and vasoconstriction warrant emergency care.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

psychedex.org/substances/ayahuasca · Version r3 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout