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Phytochemical analyses of Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis.

James C. Callaway, Glacus S. Brito, Edison S. Neves

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 1, 2005 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2005.10399795 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Observational study Peer reviewed
Sample size 68
Population Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis plants from 22 sites in Brazil
Topics Ayahuasca
Key findings Alkaloid distribution varied widely across samples; all B. caapi contained harmine, harmaline, and THH, while some P. viridis had little or no DMT.

Abstract

A total of 32 Banisteriopsis caapi samples and 36 samples of Psychotria viridis were carefully collected from different plants on the same day from 22 sites throughout Brazil for phytochemical analyses. A broad range in alkaloid distribution was observed in both sample sets. All B. caapi samples had detectable amounts of harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine (THH), while some samples of P. viridis had little or no detectable levels of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Leaves of P. viridis were also collected from one plant and analyzed for DMT throughout a 24-hour cycle.