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Ayahuasca – Ethnobotanical medicine for potential treatment of ALS

By Daniel Gustafsson


In south and central america, the native people within many tribes living along the amazon river has a long historical tradition of making and consuming a natural medicine/brew called ayahuasca. It is harvested and prepared mainly from the the bark from a wild growing vine, it’s latin name being Banisteriopsis Caapi. Often, but not always, leaves from trees named Chacruna or Chaliponga (Psychotria Viridis and Diplopterys Cabrerana) are added to the brew.

The rainforests of the earth are known to be an enormous resource and a necessity for upholding the ecosystem of the planet. It is estimated that a very great number of undiscovered plants of medicinal value, are yet to be explored within these forests. Many conventional pharmaceutical medicines originate from substances found in rainforest plants, or their synthesized variants. Ethnopharmacologists have long been aware that there is vast support for the medicinal value of ayahuasca in its use against a number of diseases, but until recently this has been limited to individual claims. Even if a great number of very in-depth and credible personal stories have been available, serious studies have been missing.

This, however, has come to change the last few years. Natural substances extracted from the ayahuasca plants have been found to possess unique and strongly antioxidative properties on specific nerve cells in the brain – in areas controlling memory, muscle control and motor activity. This gives probable cause to the theory that ayahuasca could be an effective treatment against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinsons, and Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS). Promising results as of date has also been obtained from studying the substance psilocybin, very closely related to the substances found in ayahuasca, naturally occuring in certain species of medicinal mushrooms used by the indigenous people.

According to Dr. Juan Ramos, head of the neurological disease department at the South Florida university, USA, initial studies show that these substances stimulate the development of new cells in the areas of the brain controlling above mentioned functions. If this could mean a cure through complete restoration of damaged cells remains to be seen, but initial results are promising. Cancer researchers have also shown interest in B. Caapi, as its different alkaloids has shown to be effective against the growth of cancer cells.

Eduardo E. Schenberg, Federal University of Sao Paulo:

”There are enough available evidence that the active substances in ayahuasca, especially dimethyltryptamine and harmine, has the positive effect of preventing cancer cells in cultures used for cancer research, and that these substances affect the biochemical processes that are crucial to the treatment of cancer in-vitro as well as in-vivo. The reports available about people with experience from ayahuasca in the treatment of cancer should be taken seriously. The hypothesis is that the combination of (beta-carboline) alkaloids and dimethyltryptamine present in ayahuasca blocks the transportation of nutrients to tumours, lessens the dividing process of cancer cells, and changes the unbalanced mutation-causing metabolism in cancer cells.”

What has earlier been controversial about ayahuasca (and to some degree remains controversial), is that the plants in question has been thought of simply as hallucinogens by western science. In other words, these medicinal plants of great importance, were neglected by the scientific community and thought of simply as drugs. A more correct term for these plants, with respect to the indigenous culture in which ayahuasca is a part of, would be ”entheogens” – which means plants used in a shamanistic context, inducing spiritual experiences. In several countries, such as Peru, ayahuasca is fully legal and accepted as a complement to conventional medicine, and these last 10 years, western countries has to an increasing degree changed their former unfounded and faulty attitude towards entheogens such as ayahuasca, as more and more studies of entheogenic plants have been completed with positive outcome.

Together with several other similar substances that can be found in B. Caapi, harmalin is a mono amino oxidase inhibitor. Mono amino oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme in the body that breaks down signal substances (such as serotonin). The inhibition of MAO allows the signal substance to remain in the synapse for a longer period of time. Many anti-depressants work in a similar way, as they stimulate receptors in a targeted area. However, the alkaloids present in ayahuasca should not be compared to antidepressants, as they are not the same though they both have the ability to affect the same receptors in body and brain. The biochemical properties of plants used in ayahuasca, and the effects they cause on a multitude of bodily functions remains unique to these plants alone.

Ayahuasca in itself is proven to be unharmful, as its compounds are non-toxic, though temporary side effects such as nausea, vertigo and vomiting are common. However, combining certain medical drugs with MAO-inhibitors (such as the ones found in ayahuasca) is very dangerous, even lethal in some cases. This means that in order to safely consume ayahuasca, one must not combine it with any contraindicated medicinal drugs. The more or less uncomfortable side effects from ayahuasca, are greatly dose-dependent, and a smaller amount consumed for medicinal purpose can thus mean few, if any, side effects experienced.

When searching for information regarding ayahuasca, a few negative articles can be found, emotionally angled (understandably so), since they report unfortunate tourists who on their own, or having been duped into doing so, drink something entirely else than ayahuasca – for instance the toxic plant datura – with serious outcome to their health (including death in some cases). This leads to fear and misinformation, and is not only tragic for the diseased and their families, but also for the natural medicine community that is trying to promote the safe and responsible advantage of using natural medicine for health benefits, and treatment of diseases that regular medical care fails to provide options for. In several countries, including Peru, Brazil and Costa Rica, established retreats offer ayahuasca-sessions where the
right plants are harvested (sometimes even organically grown on the property) and prepared by experienced botanists.

Ayahuasca as an alternative therapy is likely to gain further attention in coming years, but is already well established. Should the discoveries eventually lead to a therapeutic pharmaceutical drug, derived from these plants, to be produced, it lies many years ahead from now. The process from studies, through trials, to eventual launch of an approved drug made for use in the medical care system, is slow due to obvious reasons. The real interesting fact is that ayahuasca in it’s natural form is something that is available now, today, for those who live with a diagnose lacking options for other treatment. For those who want and can partake in alternative treatment using ayahuasca, there is, while not in any way guaranteed, the real possibility for improvement. As in many other cases, the invidual results will vary, and there should be an emphasis on not overly stirring people’s hope up when questions and work remain. There is also the importance of emphasizing and thereby minimizing the risks involved concerning contraindicative medications. But while studies are ongoing, this
information should be worth the attention of anyone suffering from a debilitating progressive disease.

My personal connection to this, was the passing of a close friends’ mother due to ALS a few years ago. The course of her disease was rapid, and unfortunately several of the now available studies, had not yet been published at the time. This led me into investigating the connection between any available natural medicine and the treatment of neurological disease.

B. Caapi is legal to use much in the same way as other known herbal remedies, such as Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng. However, just like with these potent natural supplements, it is up to the consumer to use and combine these in an informed and responsible way. Natural medicines should always be treated with respect, just like conventional medicinal drugs.

Another substance, known as dimethyltryptamine, found in plants traditionally added to ayahuasca, is however regulated by law in some countries as a scheduled substance. (Questionably so, due to its medicinal value in multiple areas). It is these secondary added plants and this particular substance that induces an altered state of consciousness, a many times misunderstood and stigmatized phenomenon. A description of this altered state is that it is dreamlike, that it stimulates memory and the ability to think abstract, and that it has self-therapeutic qualities. Even though dimethyltryptamine is naturally occuring in the human body, thought to be produced by the pineal gland in the brain during the dream phases of sleep, it remains an illegal substance in some western countries since the 60’s, when lawmakers criminalized many substances suspected of having any effect on the mind, including natural ones, due to the widespread moral panic at the time. Although, several european countries has redefined their policy regarding many formerly frowned upon medicinal plants in recent years, much due to an increasing awareness and access to new and unbiased information regarding these plants, as well as up-to-date research. In Scandinavia, Urbi Svonni – a Sami native from Sapmi, Sweden, was recently aquitted from all charges in the court of law, for having brought Peruvian medicinal cactus into the country. It was established that natural plant material cannot be defined as a scheduled substance, and that the shamanistic work Svonni was doing, which included mescaline-containing San Pedro cacti, was indeed not a criminal act, but served the purpose to help and heal people. Another similar case with the same outcome involved ayahuasca additive plants.

Ayahuasca is proven to be non-addictive, and is even used to aid people in breaking their drug dependencies, as ayahuasca has a detoxifying and documented effect of ridding the user of drugrelated abstinence issues. The MAO-inhibition does, among other things, ensure that the uptake of dimethyltryptamine can occur in the body, as it is otherwise (without MAO-inhibition) broken down in the stomach, unable to cause any effect. Dimethyltryptamine is molecularly near identical with earlier mentioned psilocybin in dr. Ramos research. It is theorized that the unique combination of harmala-alkaloids from B. Caapi, and dimethyltryptamine from additional plant sources used in ayahuasca, work on a cellular level to repair and restore cell tissue and to protect nerve cells from degenerative damage. This is without doubt valuable from both a neuromedical standpoint, as well as from a cancer research perspective.

As the non regulated B. Caapi alone has proven to have very positive abilities, potentially effective against neuro and cancer diseases, it is thus something real that may be a valuable alternative treatment option. For someone who experiences positive results, to whatever degree, there is then the possibility to travel to one of the many countries which by law allows the use of added secondary plants with their likely medicinal properties for evalution of full ayahuasca treatment. In Europe, Spain is one of several countries where ayahuasca is becoming established as an alternative therapy, and Spain is also the chosen location for an international conference 2014, where ethnopharmacologists, psychologists and researchers from all over the world gather around the topics of ayahuasca and other entheogens.
Among others, Ede Frecska, M.D., Ph.D, University of Debrecen, lectures on the possibilities of recreating braincells and regulating the immune defense system through plant-based medicine. This event is held by ICEERS – International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research and Service, and can be followed at (google aya2014).

In due time, ayahuasca and other entheogens can and will gain the credibility and amends they deserve, and bring hope to those out there living with diseases that lack conventional options for treatment. Hopefully, you found this reading to be interesting, and worthy of your time. It is now up to you wether you think this this information is important enough to share.

References: (Can be found in original article)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Is that what you wanted?
 
thanks, went right over my head I'm afraid, lots and lots of words, but I didn't quite see anything that showed how it has been used for ALS, let alone how it is a potential cure?

Maybe you meant, one day in the far off future it could be part of a cure someone works out, rather than showing that it is being demonstrated to have measurable effects against ALS?

I don't like to sound like a Debbie downer, I just found it waved over me and I'm not sure if I missed something obvious?
 
Sorry, but no.

This hallucinogen also cures cancer, dementia, and many other things, depending upon whose article you read.
 
thanks, went right over my head I'm afraid, lots and lots of words, but I didn't quite see anything that showed how it has been used for ALS, let alone how it is a potential cure?

Maybe you meant, one day in the far off future it could be part of a cure someone works out, rather than showing that it is being demonstrated to have measurable effects against ALS?

I don't like to sound like a Debbie downer, I just found it waved over me and I'm not sure if I missed something obvious?

Tillie


Granted, much is still theoretical, but everything starts in theory before (if) turning into something practical. But here's a summary of some key points in the article:


"Natural substances extracted from the ayahuasca plants have been found to possess unique and strongly antioxidative properties on specific nerve cells in the brain – in areas controlling memory, muscle control and motor activity. This gives probable cause to the theory that ayahuasca could be an effective treatment against neurodegenerative diseases(...)"

"(...)initial studies show that these substances stimulate the development of new cells in the areas of the brain controlling above mentioned functions. If this could mean a cure through complete restoration of damaged or destroyed cells remains to be seen, but initial results are promising."


"One of the earliest studies on B. Caapi was done in the 1920’s, and involved patients with Parkinsons’s disease. The patients experienced great symptom relief in early trials(...)"

"It is theorized that the unique combination of harmala-alkaloids from B. Caapi, and dimethyltryptamine from additional plant sources used in ayahuasca, work on a cellular level to repair and restore cell tissue and to protect nerve cells from degenerative damage(...)"


More interesting to you perhaps, is that there is a pilot project in development that involves people diagnosed with ALS, and the use and evaluation of these plants for medicinal purposes, with the intention to publish the results gathered - presenting them also to neurological research institutions in Sweden and elsewhere.


Sorry, but no.

This hallucinogen also cures cancer, dementia, and many other things, depending upon whose article you read.


It is clearly underlined in the article that these medicinal plants are in no way a guaranteed cure. If anything, they could provide a longterm aid in the restorement of body and mind function in people with certain neurological conditions.

To be precise, the intake of B. Caapi alone does not have hallucinogenic qualities, as it is only the addition of dimethyltryptamine from the additive plants discussed in the article, or actually the combination from the mao-inhibiting alkaloids in B. Caapi together with dimethyltryptamine-containing plants that induces a state of mind sometimes mislabeled "hallucinogenic".

This word brings up negative associations in many people, and is thus feared. Unlike what some people think, one does not hallucinate things appearing out of thin air after having consumed ayahuasca, but rather there are sequences of inner dreamlike visions taking place, while resting, still being conscious - provided a significant amount of brew has been consumed. It is actually quite undramatic, aside from the side effect of vomiting which does affect many people.

And herein lies the essence that is many times misunderstood: One does not have to take a great amount of ayahuasca for experiencing strictly its medicinal effects - without the abstractions and visionary effects some people are wary of. (Or the nausea/vomiting for that matter). Also, several of the medicinal health benefits can be obtained by using B. Caapi alone - without any additive plants, thereby ensuring no peculiar visionary effects experienced at all.

Exaggerations regarding ayahuasca is what made these medicinal plants overlooked for many years in the west to begin with, but its reputation is now slowly being revised as more people with experience from these plants in a medicinal context are coming forward, claiming their true medicinal value relevant to medical conditions of different kinds - the field of neurological disease being the latest.

What is unfortunate though, is that sometimes people automatically will dismiss a subject by judging it prematurely. Therefore, I have tried to the best of my ability to focus on the scientific and medicinal aspects of these plants, thereby making knowledge available that may be of importance to people in need of alternative treatment options.
 
UPDATE:
Natural ALS Treatment Pilot Project


Natural ALS treatment trial in progress – Current number of participants: 4 (Sweden, United States, Brazil)


Based on the strong response to my discussions has led to the launch of a pilot project in order to create the incentive necessary for researchers to fully investigate the potential of ayahuasca plants for treatment of ALS and neurological diseases in general. It will also serve the purpose of informing people about medicinal use of ayahuasca, as an alternative treatment option for the reversal of the progression of ALS and related diseases.

Many concerned people have been contacting me, asking why further studies on the specific subject matter are not being conducted at this point. The answer being the general absence of awareness regarding the medicinal value of these potent plants and their possible role in the future treatment of ALS and other neurological diseases. With individuals representing a community of people coming forward to present their experiences from using these medicinal plants, in the context of alternative treatment, the documented results will hopefully provide the cause for thorough scientific evaluation to be made.

Have you been using ayahuasca plants of any kind, for any period of time, in order to treat any of the following conditions?:

*ALS/PLS

*Alzheimer’s

*Parkinson’s

*Multiple Sclerosis

*Other neurological condition


Are you about to use ayahuasca plants of any kind within the near future, in order to treat any of these conditions, or are you considering doing so?


If yes – Would you be interested in providing your personal evaluation to this website for the eventual publication of results gathered? Your contribution may greatly help the cause for finding and making viable alternative treatment options known, and any favorable results will be presented to researchers and institutions within the field of neuromedicine. Your privacy will be respected, and none of your personal information revealed unless requested by you personally.

There are at this moment 4 persons diagnosed with ALS participating in this project, their evaluation of these plants in relation to their condition soon to be released, after their first trial period of using these medicinal plants for 3 months. The number of participants will be updated continuously as (if) others join, and the eventual results are to be published on this website. This is a non-profit, independent, volunteer type of project – where you and others have the possibilty to pioneer alternative treatment research regarding ALS and similar neurological conditions.

Simple correspondense through e-mail will suffice to discuss details of the project, and/or any related questions. Preferably, you should write ”ALS project” or similar in the topic field to ensure proper sorting, as I answer a number of personal e-mails daily.

Please contact:
[email protected]


It’s important to underline that this project is completely unofficial – not an official clinical trial. It is the gathering of adult individuals with a common cause and interest in the subject matter, and the sharing of information between people in search for viable alternative treatment options. The author of this site and its articles, will take no personal responsibility for the actions of individuals pursuing this option.

I want to thank the people involved who have contacted me, requesting the setup of this web-based project. You are doing the ALS-community a great service by exploring new treatment options and sharing your experience. Many are awaiting your review. My advice is to proceed carefully, using your common sense. We all look forward to hearing from you. Good luck.

More information and updates will follow.
 
Based on the strong response to my original article, discussions has led to the launch of a pilot project. (Sorry, the link was edited out).

The project webpage and the original article can be accessed by typing "als pilot project wordpress" into google.
 
This is a new and expanded version of the article with images and with updates on the ALS treatment pilot project:



Ayahuasca – Ethnobotanical medicine for potential treatment of ALS

By Daniel Gustafsson



This article is the culmination of six years work, having studied ethnobotanical medicine and the field of neurodisease, making connections between the two in the search for something viable in terms of an alternative treatment option for ALS – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and similar neurodegenerative conditions.

In south and central america, the native people within many tribes living along the amazon river have a long historical tradition of making and consuming a natural medicine/tea called ayahuasca. It is harvested and prepared mainly from the the bark from a wild growing vine, it’s latin name being Banisteriopsis Caapi. Often, but not always, leaves from trees named Chacruna or Chaliponga (Psychotria Viridis and Diplopterys Cabrerana) are added to the tea.

The rainforests of the earth are known to be an enormous resource and a necessity for upholding the ecosystem of the planet. It is estimated that a very great number of undiscovered plants of medicinal value, are yet to be explored within these forests. Many conventional pharmaceutical medicines originate from substances found in rainforest plants, or their synthesized variants. Ethnopharmacologists have long been aware that there is vast support for the medicinal value of ayahuasca in its use against a number of diseases, but until recently this has been limited to individual claims. Even if a great number of very in-depth and credible personal stories have been available, serious studies have been missing.

This, however, has come to change the last few years. Natural substances extracted from the ayahuasca plants have been found to possess unique restorative and strongly antioxidative properties on specific nerve cells in the brain and central nervous system – controlling neurotransmission, muscle/motor activity, memory and coordination. This gives probable cause to the theory that ayahuasca could be an effective treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Promising results as of date has also been obtained from studying the substance psilocybin, very closely related to the substances found in ayahuasca, naturally occuring in certain species of medicinal mushrooms consumed by the indigenous people where ayahuasca is also used.

According to Dr. Juan Ramos, head of the neurological disease department at the South Florida university, USA, initial studies show that these substances stimulate the development of new cells in the areas of the brain controlling the above mentioned functions. If this could prove to be an eventual cure through complete restoration of damaged or destroyed cells remains to be seen, but initial results indicate this could potentially be the case. There is also a growing interest in exploring the cell regenerative properties of these plants within the spinal chord injury support communities. Should people with this background eventually try and find the results of this treatment useful, medical science would be bound to take note. Cancer researchers have also shown interest in B. Caapi, as its different alkaloids has shown to be effective against the growth of cancer cells.

Eduardo E. Schenberg, Federal University of Sao Paulo:

”There are enough available evidence that the active substances in ayahuasca, especially dimethyltryptamine and harmine, has the positive effect of preventing cancer cells in cultures used for cancer research, and that these substances affect the biochemical processes that are crucial to the treatment of cancer in-vitro as well as in-vivo. The reports available about people with experience from ayahuasca in the treatment of cancer should be taken seriously. The hypothesis is that the combination of (beta-carboline) alkaloids and dimethyltryptamine present in ayahuasca blocks the transportation of nutrients to tumours, lessens the dividing process of cancer cells, and changes the unbalanced mutation-causing metabolism in cancer cells.”

What has previously been somewhat controversial about ayahuasca, is that the plants in question used to be thought of simply as hallucinogens by western science. In other words, these medicinal plants of great importance, were neglected by the scientific community and thought of simply as if they were natural drugs. A more correct term for these plants, with respect to the indigenous culture in which ayahuasca is a part of, would be ”entheogens” – which means plants used in a context sacred to the native people, inducing spiritual experiences. In several countries, such as Peru, ayahuasca is fully legal and accepted as a complement to conventional medicine, and these last 10 years, western countries has to an increasing degree changed their former unfounded and faulty attitude towards entheogens such as ayahuasca, as more and more studies of entheogenic plants have been completed with positive outcome.

Along with several other similar harmala-alkaloids that can be found in B. Caapi, harmaline is a mono amino oxidase inhibitor. Mono amino oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme in the body that breaks down signal substances (such as serotonin). The inhibition of MAO allows the signal substance to remain in the synapse for a longer period of time. Many anti-depressants work in a similar way, as they stimulate receptors in a targeted area. However, the alkaloids present in ayahuasca should not be compared to antidepressants, as they are not the same though they both have the ability to affect the same receptors. A comparison is that Caapi alkaloids and antidepressants have the same type of delivery system, but different contents. The biochemical properties of plants used in ayahuasca, and the effects they cause on a multitude of bodily functions remain unique to these plants alone.

Ayahuasca in itself is proven to be unharmful, as its compounds are non-toxic, though temporary side effects such as nausea and vertigo are common. However, combining certain medical drugs with MAO-inhibitors (such as the ones found in ayahuasca) is very dangerous, even lethal in some cases. This means that in order to safely consume ayahuasca, one must not combine it with any contraindicated medicinal drugs. The more or less uncomfortable side effects from ayahuasca, are greatly dose-dependent, and a smaller amount consumed for medicinal purpose can thus mean few, if any, side effects experienced.

When searching for information about ayahuasca, a few negative articles can be found, emotionally angled (understandably so), since they tell stories of unfortunate tourists who on their own, or having been duped into doing so, drink something entirely else than ayahuasca – for instance the toxic plant datura – with serious outcome to their health (including death in a few known cases). This leads to fear and misinformation, and is not only tragic for the diseased and their families, but also for the natural medicine community that is trying to promote the safe and responsible use of natural medicine for health benefits, and treatment of diseases that regular medical care fails to provide options for. Sensationalistic headlines making unfounded claims, written by people without any knowledge about ethnobotanical medicine, will definitely not help neither ALS patients or others seeking viable treatment options for their condition. In several countries, including Peru, Brazil and Costa Rica, established retreats offer ayahuasca treatment where the right plants are harvested (sometimes even organically grown on the property) and prepared by experienced botanists.

One of the earliest studies on B. Caapi was done in the 1920’s, and involved patients with Parkinsons’s disease. The patients experienced great symptom relief in early trials, but unfortunately the research was discontinued due to lack of profit potential – as substances already present in natural plants could not be applicable for any patent useful to pharma companies.

Ayahuasca as an alternative therapy is likely to gain further attention in coming years, but is already well established. Should the discoveries eventually lead to a therapeutic pharmaceutical drug, derived from these plants, to be produced, it lies many years ahead from now. The process from studies, through trials, to eventual launch of an approved drug made for use in the medical care system, is slow due to obvious reasons. The real interesting fact is that ayahuasca in its natural form is something that is available now, today, for those who live with a diagnose lacking options for other treatment. For those who want and can partake in alternative treatment using ayahuasca, there is, while not in any way guaranteed, the real possibility for improvement. As in many other cases, the invidual results will vary, and there should be an emphasis on not overly stirring people’s hope up when questions and work remain. There is also the importance of emphasizing and thereby minimizing the risks involved concerning contraindicative medications. But awaiting further studies, this information should be worth the attention of anyone suffering from a debilitating progressive disease such as ALS.

My personal connection to this, was the passing of a close friends’ mother due to ALS a few years ago. The course of her disease was rapid, and unfortunately several of the now available studies, had not yet been published at the time. This led me into investigating the connection between any available natural medicine and the treatment of neurological disease.

B. Caapi is legal to use in most countries/states much in the same way as other known herbal remedies, such as Ginkgo Biloba and Ginseng. However, just like with these potent natural supplements, it is up to the consumer to use and combine these in an informed and responsible way. Natural medicines should always be treated with respect, just like conventional medicinal drugs.

The substance known as dimethyltryptamine, found in plants traditionally added to ayahuasca, is however regulated by law in some countries as a scheduled substance. (Questionably so, due to its medicinal value in multiple areas). It is these secondary added plants and this particular substance that induces an altered state of consciousness, a many times misunderstood and stigmatized phenomenon. A description of this altered state is that it is dreamlike, that it stimulates memory and the ability to think abstract, and that it has self-therapeutic qualities. Even though dimethyltryptamine is naturally occuring in the human body, thought to be produced by the pineal gland in the brain during the dream phases of sleep, it remains an illegal substance in some western countries since the 1960’s, when lawmakers prematurely criminalized many substances suspected of having any effect on the mind, including natural ones, due to the widespread moral panic at the time – regardless of the fact that many of them, including dimethyltryptamine, has never been proven unhealthy in any way, and has in fact been used by indigenous people to successfully treat disease for centuries. Although, several european countries has redefined their policy regarding many formerly frowned upon medicinal plants in recent years, much due to an increasing awareness and access to new and unbiased information regarding these plants, as well as up-to-date research. In Scandinavia, Sami native Urbi Svonni from Sapmi, Sweden, was recently aquitted from all charges in the court of law, for having brought Peruvian medicinal cactus into the country. The court established that natural plant material cannot be defined as a scheduled substance, and that the therapeutic work Svonni was doing, which included Echinopsis Pachanoi cactus, was indeed not a criminal act, but served the purpose to help and heal people. Another similar case with the same outcome involved ayahuasca additive plants. Cacti from the Echinopsis and Lophophora species are known for their soothing and restorative effects on the central nervous system, and are used as such in ethnobotanical medicine.

In the united states, it is not always cleary defined as to wether the plant material itself is to be considered the scheduled substance dimethyltryptamine - or if this only holds true for the extracted and separated substance (the plant material being the source for extraction). There have been court cases (including the supreme court) turned out in favour to users of ayahuasca though, and many of these plants still remain openly obtainable - as DMT is present in a staggering amount of naturally occuring plants, thus making it hard or nearly impossible to effectively criminalize. The archaic laws that used to categorize these plants "(..)of no medical value" are actually being redefined - the take on this varying from one state to another. Furthermore, groundwork has been made already in research regarding the therapeutical value of ayahuasca, making the acceptance of these plants containing dimethyltryptamine likely to become established.

To be precise, the definition of Ayahuasca is any tea made from either the plant Banisteriopsis Caapi alone, or from B. Caapi + additional plants containing dimethyltryptamine. A tea made from B. Caapi alone does not have what is sometimes referred to as ”visionary” qualities, as it is only the addition of dimethyltryptamine from the additive plants discussed, or actually the combination from the mao-inhibiting alkaloids in B. Caapi together with dimethyltryptamine-containing plants that induces a state of mind formerly mislabeled ”hallucinogenic”. It needs to be clarified though, that this word brings up negative associations in many people, and is thus feared and misunderstood. Unlike what some people tend to think, one does not hallucinate things appearing out of thin air after having consumed ayahuasca, but rather there are sequences of inner dreamlike visions taking place while resting, while still awake and fully conscious, provided a significant amount of tea has been consumed. It is actually quite undramatic, aside from the side effect of vomiting which does affect many people.

And herein lies the essence that is many times misunderstood: One does not have to take a great amount of ayahuasca for experiencing strictly its medicinal effects – without the abstractions and visionary effects some people are wary of. (Or the nausea/vomiting for that matter). Also, several of the medicinal health benefits can be obtained by using B. Caapi alone – without any additive plants, thereby ensuring no peculiar visionary effects experienced at all, should this be desired. It should be noted though, that the synergistic effect between the two plants used simultaneously will bring the best medicinal and bodily response. Exaggerations regarding ayahuasca is what made these medicinal plants overlooked for many years in the west to begin with, but its reputation has been steadily revised as more people with experience from these plants in a medicinal context have come forward, claiming the true medicinal value of ayahuasca relevant to medical conditions of different types – the field of neurological disease being the latest. Ayahuasca has already been effectively used for symptom relief from Multiple Sclerosis, by a growing number of people in Europe since at least 2006. ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease all share a lot of common ground, being that they all involve nerve cell degeneration of some kind. It is thus likely that any type of natural broad spectrum medicine able to affect the process of nerve cell recreation, and that also has substantially antioxidative properties, could prevent and slow the progression of neurological disease in general.

Whatever wild or strange stories about ayahuasca that may occasionally be found circulating, they stem mostly from people who went to live with native tribes during the late 80’s and early 90’s, taking part in traditional ceremonial use of ayahuasca – consuming exceptionally generous or concentrated amounts of the medicine, enfolding themselves in deep cleansing experiences not necessarily easily endured. This medicine, like any other, should most definitely be well respected, but not subjected to exaggeration or downright misrepresentation – causing people to dismiss what they are simply uneducated about. The vivid and fascinating visions induced by strong tea often seem to have a theme rooted in nature, as depicted quite beautifully by Peruvian artist Pablo Amaringo (1938-2009). They arise from the simple fact that the alkaloids and tryptamines dissolved in the tea, combine to affect receptors that in turn stimulate the processing of memory relating to images and words – noticeably of relevance to Alzheimer’s research.

Ayahuasca is proven to be non-addictive, and is even used to aid people in breaking their drug dependencies, as ayahuasca has a detoxifying and documented effect of ridding the user of drugrelated abstinence issues.

The MAO-inhibition does, among other things, ensure that the uptake of dimethyltryptamine can occur in the body, as it is otherwise (without MAO-inhibition) broken down in the stomach, unable to cause any effect. Dimethyltryptamine is molecularly near identical with the above mentioned psilocybin in dr. Ramos research. It is theorized that the unique combination of various harmala-alkaloids from B. Caapi, and dimethyltryptamine from additional plant sources used in ayahuasca, work on a cellular level to repair and restore nerve cells, stimulate and enhance motor neuron transmission, and to protect nerve cells and other cells from degenerative damage. This is without doubt valuable from both a neuromedical standpoint, as well as from a cancer research perspective.

Ayahuasca plants as packaged and sold in health food stores, Peru. Note the attached traceable source information and datemark. Various strains of this particular vine are available, each having a slightly different, but similar alkaloid profile.

As the non regulated B. Caapi alone has proven to have very positive abilities, potentially effective against neuro and cancer diseases, it is thus something real that may be a valuable alternative treatment option. For someone who experiences positive results to whatever degree, but does not live in a state or country where the use of plants containing dimethyltryptamine is permitted, there is then the possibility to travel to one of the many countries (or states) which by law allows the use of added secondary plants with their combined medicinal properties for evalution of full ayahuasca treatment. In Europe, Spain is one of several countries where ayahuasca is becoming established as an alternative therapy, and Spain is also the chosen location for an international conference 2014, where ethnopharmacologists, psychologists and researchers from all over the world gather around the topics of ayahuasca and other entheogens.

Among others, Ede Frecska, M.D., Ph.D, University of Debrecen, lectures on the possibilities of recreating braincells and regulating the immune defense system through this plant-based medicine and others. This event is held by ICEERS – International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research and Service, and can be followed at the ICEERS aya2014 website.

Furthermore, besides their ability to aid and enhance the process of nerve cellular repair and the protection against cell oxidation, many of these entheogenic plants (and fungi), including ayahuasca, do possess psychotherapeutical qualities as well. Coping with degenerative illness is obviously stressful to patients, and a great deal of emotional relief, personal insight, and ability to better cope with one’s personal situation is achievable through the single or repeated experience of entheogenic medicinal plants/mushrooms in a comfortable and supportive environment, according to renowned John Hopkin’s medical university.

The fact that many of these medicinal plants are becoming revived as they recieve scientific approval, is great news in many ways. Sustainability and environmental issues comes to mind, and so far the outlook is positive. Many organic farms have developed in south and central america, cultivating ayahuasca plants for both local use and for export, providing work and income for people in rural areas otherwise struggling with poverty. This also serves as a way for many locals to reconnect with their cultural past, as ayahuasca is declared a national heritage in Peru among other places.

It used to be that this formerly unknown plant medicine was completely overlooked, but as we have begun to understand its potential, neglect has been replaced with knowledge, and the scientific groundwork on this matter is becoming firm. People should not be led into thinking this is some kind of natural miracle cure, but if anything it could provide a longterm aid in the restorement of body and mind function in people with certain neurological conditions. Together as a community we can all help to inform people in an unbiased, ethical and safe way about any viable alternative treatment options.

There is currently an ongoing community-based international Pilot Project involving people diagnosed with ALS, and the use and evaluation of this plant medicine, the gathering of results being processed at this point.

Ayahuasca has been used for a very long time historically, and only recently for treatment of the conditions brought up in this article. Any substantial improvement would be likely to reveal itself long-term at first. Initial updates from people taking part in the ALS pilot project report a few things in common; the feeling of a somewhat wider range of movement, tension relief in muscles and slightly improved grip in affected limbs, though it should be noted that none of these had lost all of their muscle control prior to treatment, and that whether or not this effect will prove to be permanent is not known at this moment. Only time will tell what can, or cannot be achieved from this treatment.

In due time, ayahuasca and other entheogens can and will gain the credibility and amends they truly deserve, and bring new possibilities to many out there living with diseases that lack conventional options for treatment. Meanwhile, these medicinal plants remain available for the personal evaluation of the individual who chooses to explore the option. In relation to the medical conditions brought up in this article, these plants may have the future role as a powerful tool for the reversal of the progression of ALS and related diseases. Hopefully, you found this information interesting. Share it, should you find it an important topic.


References and studies:

(Can be found on the ayahuasca ALS treatment website)
 
I’ve contacted one of the world experts relatively Ayahuasca, Professor Jordi Riba, who is one of the organizators of the latest Ayahuasca congress done in Ibiza.

Attached his answer about the possible use of Ayahuasca for treating MND diseases:


“indeed we performed a series of studies on ayahuasca, but focused on understanding the effects on perception and cognition.

We have not done any research on potential therapeutic applications, not know of any study that may suggest that it could be useful for the treatment of your disease.

I would rather recommend caution. The ayahuasca has a composition quite complex and might have interactions with medications you are taking.

It also has some powerful psychedelic effects types / al.lucinògen with the consequent risk of a harrowing experience if you're not familiar with these types of substances.

I am sorry not to have better news.”

The above is a copy of a post on the alstdi forum. I copied rather than linked as can only read that forum if you register. For those of you who are new Mr Gustafsson is, by his own admission, not a neurologist or neuroscientist. His research was not lab/ clinical research and is / has now recruiting/ recruited some PALS to test his theory. Please consider carefully the source of theories you read
 
I’ve contacted one of the world experts relatively Ayahuasca, Professor Jordi Riba, who is one of the organizators of the latest Ayahuasca congress done in Ibiza.

Attached his answer about the possible use of Ayahuasca for treating MND diseases:


“indeed we performed a series of studies on ayahuasca, but focused on understanding the effects on perception and cognition.

We have not done any research on potential therapeutic applications, not know of any study that may suggest that it could be useful for the treatment of your disease.

I would rather recommend caution. The ayahuasca has a composition quite complex and might have interactions with medications you are taking.

It also has some powerful psychedelic effects types / al.lucinògen with the consequent risk of a harrowing experience if you're not familiar with these types of substances.

I am sorry not to have better news.”

The above is a copy of a post on the alstdi forum. I copied rather than linked as can only read that forum if you register. For those of you who are new Mr Gustafsson is, by his own admission, not a neurologist or neuroscientist. His research was not lab/ clinical research and is / has now recruiting/ recruited some PALS to test his theory. Please consider carefully the source of theories you read


True, at this point it is all strictly theoretical, but it's not just taken out of thin air - but built on some initial research and anecdotal evidence. It goes without saying that studies cannot suggest anything before they have been done, and the intent of this
project is to make that happen, hopefully. Research is rarely done without incentive, and the potential of these plants from a neurological/medical perspective will of course remain scientifically unexplored unless (until) the incentive comes from somewhere too important not to seriously assess - such as from PALS telling about their experience with the alternative treatment in case (should the results experienced be valuable enough).

All the participants are well informed on the issue of contraindicated medications, and that those suffering from diabetes, epilepsy or high blood pressure are adviced not to try this alternative treatment.

Whether or not reversing the progression of ALS can be accomplished from this, is of course yet to be determined, but there are few working options for people with ALS/MND, and time is not exactly on their side. There are many approaches to attempting to reverse the progression of ALS - this being one of many. Like other alternative treatments, diet regimens etc. it is up to the individual on a personal level to explore options of their interest, and to make their own informed decision.
 
**** off!

...
 
**** off!

...

I agree Max. Get tired of these people with their hair brained ideas trying to convince what they consider desperate people to spend a fortune on things with no proof that it actually works.
 
Max said it best.

The whole thing reeks of pseudo-scientific claptrap designed to sound like real research to those who don't know what real science looks like.

Besides, it seems like a waste of a perfectly good hallucinogen.

I have to disagree with Hellspawn (if that is your real name! :) ) I don't think the average PALS can render an "informed" judgment whether to participate. They/we need guidance on such things. and that guidance should come from real neurologists.
 
>Besides, it seems like a waste of a perfectly good hallucinogen.

:)
 
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