Better alternative to ayahuasca

Better alternative to ayahuasca

Ayahuasca has many benefits for mental health. However, ayahuasca also has a number of physical disadvantages that can lead to brain damage or death. When you consider that there are better alternatives that work just as well and without the risk of physical harm, it is actually strange that so many people choose ayahuasca. We think that ayahuasca is hip and popular due to the notoriety given to it by hipsters. If you really look closely at the safety and effects, the best alternative is our good old magic mushroom!

Similar tryptamines

There are many types of tryptamines, such as tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin. The important tryptamines in this story are dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 4-hydroxytryptamine (psilocin), O-phosphoryl-4-hydroxydimethyltryptamine (psilocybin) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin). DMT is the tryptamine in the ayahuasca drink that causes the trip, while in magic mushrooms it is the substance psilocybin, which is converted by stomach acid and the liver into the active substance psilocin. Both DMT and psilocin are very similar to serotonin.

Read our message about serotonin Go through it thoroughly to fully understand the whole thing.

How is ayahuasca absorbed?

DMT, the active ingredient in ayahuasca, is also naturally produced in the human pineal gland. DMT is primarily released when sleep sets in. DMT can make dreams vivid. If DMT is consumed, for example by making a tea from plants containing it, DMT is immediately broken down in the stomach acid by an enzyme called monoamine oxidase (MAO). If DMT is taken together with MAO inhibitors, which ayahuasca is, DMT is not broken down and does reach the brain, subsequently leading to a trip.

How are magic mushrooms absorbed?

Mushrooms and magic truffles contain the same active substances, namely psilocybin and psilocin. There are hundreds of fungi that produce psilocybin, but humans do not produce this substance themselves. When consuming psilocybin-containing truffles or mushrooms, stomach acid and the liver convert the psilocybin into psilocin. Psilocin can then travel to the brain where it exerts its effect.

What do DMT and psilocin do in the brain?

Both DMT and psilocin closely resemble serotonin in terms of molecular structure and can stimulate the serotonin receptor in the brain upon ingestion. This is in addition to the current stimulation of serotonin. Partly due to this, most complaints, such as depression and addictions, which arise from a potential serotonin deficiency, will disappear immediately (and temporarily).

Due to increased stimulation of serotonin receptors, the brain enters a state of hyperconnectivity. This means that various brain regions connect with each other to transmit and process information. This is comparable to how information is processed and stored during sleep and dreaming. During a state of hyperconnectivity, the brain can continuously create new connections. Bad connections are repaired, particularly those in the frontal lobe. Bad connections in the frontal lobe can be both the cause and the consequence of depression. By repairing these connections, DMT and psilocin can help combat depression.

The ayahuasca trip

The mixture of DMT and MAO inhibitors often causes physical effects such as diarrhea and vomiting. Only when this is over can the trip truly begin. Ayahuasca is typically experienced as a dream with deep meaning while awake. This is due to DMT, which is also released during sleep. Ayahuasca can bring your 'subconscious' to the surface. One can see and experience things that have been suppressed, either consciously or unconsciously. Old emotions, trauma, and behavioral patterns can surface. An ayahuasca trip typically lasts 2 to 6 hours, and it is difficult to predict how deep and how long the trip will be. For instance, a trip can cause after-effects for up to 8 hours.

The mushroom trip

The mushroom trip does not have adverse physical effects. One may, however, feel shaky and hot or cold at the beginning. The trip usually sets in after half an hour, and initially, you will be relieved of everything you think you need. You will first enter a state of contentment. This is due to psilocin, which stimulates the serotonin receptor. As soon as the trip really gets going, during a deep trip, your 'subconscious' can also be brought to the surface. One can see and experience things that have been suppressed, either consciously or unconsciously. The length of a mushroom trip can range from 2 to 8 hours and can be controlled via the dosage and the addition of (citric) acid.

Difference between mushroom trips and ayahuasca trips

MAO inhibitors

The most important difference is that MAO inhibitors are not needed with magic mushrooms. It is precisely the MAO inhibitors that cause physical discomfort and can lead to complications. Certain medications and foods, in combination with the MAO inhibitors in ayahuasca, can make the user sick or, in extreme cases, cause death.

Choose Triplevel

It is wise not to reach the highest trip level immediately on a first trip. With mushroom trips, you can start with a lower trip level so that you are at ease next time. With ayahuasca ceremonies, there isn't really an easy dosage possible.

Physical discomfort

With ayahuasca, vomiting and diarrhea almost always occur at the beginning. With truffles and magic mushrooms, diarrhea does not occur, and vomiting is very limited and is also easy to prevent. During a mushroom or truffle trip, you can move normally, which is not possible or not easy with ayahuasca.

Adjust trip

While one can partially control oneself during a light mushroom trip, an ayahuasca trip cannot be controlled at all. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Even during a deep truffle/mushroom trip (up to level 4), slight guidance is possible through a coach. If you are a control freak, ayahuasca can be too intense.

Legislation in the Netherlands

The possession and trade of DMT and ayahuasca is illegal in many countries, including the Netherlands. Unfortunately, ayahuasca ceremonies are also illegal in the Netherlands. The possession and trade of psilocybin-containing mushrooms is also illegal. Magic truffles, on the other hand, which contain the same active ingredients as magic mushrooms, are legal in the Netherlands. Therefore, trip therapy with magic truffles is legal.

Guidance during the trip

Ayahuasca ceremonies typically take place in groups. Our trip therapy is one-on-one. This way, you receive the full attention of our coach during our therapy.

Price

Ayahuasca ceremonies are often more expensive because the organization surrounding them is much more extensive. Usually, you have to travel somewhere and stay overnight with several fellow travelers. With our trip therapy, you can simply stay in your own environment, so the costs for accommodation do not need to be incurred.

Duration of the trip

The ayahuasca trip is difficult to predict. It is best to expect that you will not be able to do anything else for 14 hours. A truffle or mushroom trip can be dosed better, and with a less deep trip, you can resume other activities after just 3 hours. With deeper trips, this can be as early as 6 hours. In the case of the deepest trip, you can resume other activities after 8 hours.

The triple levels

With ayahuasca, you progress fairly quickly to trip level 5, which can be seen as both an advantage and a disadvantage. With magic mushrooms, dosing is easier. A trip coach can better estimate when a trip level is reached.

Read here more information about the triple levels.

Psilocybin preference Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine is currently conducting research primarily with psilocybin/psilocin instead of DMT (ayahuasca). We believe they prefer the active ingredients from mushrooms because they work slightly differently and with less risk.

Our preference

Although we are not at all opposed to ayahuasca, we prefer mushroom/truffle trips. This is due to the same benefits as ayahuasca, the legislation, and the easier use, dosage, and guidance of a trip session, which can simply take place in your own home. A major plus point of magic mushrooms is that no MAO inhibitors are needed, which means that no complications can arise from MAO inhibitors.

Your preference

Your preference naturally depends on your circumstances. However, if you are of the opinion that ayahuasca is better for you, please read up very carefully on what you should and should not do. Ensure that you read information from multiple sources on this subject. Choose a skilled shaman with whom you feel comfortable and where the setting is right, just as was done during the ayahuasca rituals in the Amazon regions. Do you, like us, see the benefits of the mushroom trip? We are happy to help you.

Read more here how a trip works with magic mushrooms or magic truffles

You can find more here information about how we work.

You can register for a trip session via the intake form.

Would you like to get in touch first? You can contact us via email or submit a call request here..