Ayahuasca articel on National Geographic

[HeartCore]

Not sure if it has been posted before, trip report on NG, who would expect that

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adven ... /peru.html

 

[DevXavier]

Recommended to read indeed.

 

[HeartCore]

Would love to discuss this article Smile

For example:

Quote:
Ayahuasca seems to give users a greater sensitivity to serotonin—one of the mood-regulating chemicals produced by the body—by increasing the number of serotonin receptors on nerve cells.

Unlike most common antidepressants, which Grob says can create such high levels of serotonin that cells may actually compensate by losing many of their serotonin receptors, the Hoasca Project showed that ayahuasca strongly enhances the body's ability to absorb the serotonin that's naturally there.

Someone who is knowledgable in this field please correct me but as I understand it, conventional medicine adds serotonin to one's brain and at the same time has the effect to decrease the number of receptors right? And Ayahuasca has an increase of serotonin receptors? If thats the case, then Ayahuasca should be integrated into modern medicine as soon as possible right?

 

[Forkbender]

Ayahuasca should be integrated into modern medicine as soon as possible right?

It should, but tell that to Big Ol' Western Medicine.
BTW: GREAT REPORT. It's a big inspiration for me to face my own fears even stronger. Thanks for the link.

 

[tryptonaut]

Unlike most common antidepressants, which Grob says can create such high levels of serotonin that cells may actually compensate by losing many of their serotonin receptors, the Hoasca Project showed that ayahuasca strongly enhances the body's ability to absorb the serotonin that's naturally there.

I have to try ayahuasca again in the next days for sure (had a lower dose once which was very very nice).
I suffer from a natural lack of serotonine which often makes me depressed, exhausted and socially frightened. I have to fight these symptoms all the time but it's hard work and needs a lot of will power.
I tried prozac for a year but it didn't work for more than a month (and had bad side effects). I can very effectively use amphetamines or coke against it but that obviously only works for a few hours (and makes everything worse afterwards). The best thing so far to fight the symptoms has been a good shroom trip every few weeks. Maybe ayahuasca is even better, this article has been another impulse to try it again!