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Acute Intoxication following Dimethyltryptamine Ingestion

Matthew H. Bilhimer, Rachel F. Schult, Kristan V. Higgs, Timothy J. Wiegand, Rachel Gorodetsky, Nicole M. Acquisto

Case Reports in Emergency Medicine 2018 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3452691 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population Patient with history of schizophrenia who ingested ayahuasca tea
Intervention Ayahuasca tea
Topics 5-MeO-DMT DMT
Keywords Ingestion
Citations 26
Key findings Ayahuasca ingestion in a patient with schizophrenia resulted in personal injury and property damage, underscoring severe adverse effects in vulnerable populations.

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic tea that is most commonly comprised of the vine Banisteriopsis caapi alone or in combination with other plants such as Psychotria viridis . This concoction results in an orally active form of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a hallucinogenic amine. Despite use in South America as a medicinal agent and component in religious ceremonies, interest in its recreational use and spiritual effects has led to increased use in the United States. We describe a unique case following ingestion of ayahuasca tea in a patient with history of schizophrenia resulting in personal injury and property damage. A review of ayahuasca toxicity and evaluation of serious adverse effects is also presented.